The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1904-04-01
EASTER.
written for THE oHRoNIoLnl

EaSUer Lay COmmemOfaJlng Tie ceIl-
trail fact of the Christian religion the
Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ
has always been regarded as the
chief festival of the Christian year.
The word Easter is derived from Eos
tire, Anglo Saxon Goddess of spring,
and like our names Of the days Of the
week is a survival from the old Teu-
tonic mythology It's ancient name
was Pascha q. e. Passover, the " Pas
cha Of the Resurrection. The first
Christians naturally observed the jew
ish festivals with new Interpretation
in accord with their new faith, and in
this spirit the ancient Passover
brought to mind Christ as the Paschal
Lamb and the First Fruits from the
dead.
But it was not till after Apostolic
times that this festival became an in
stituted observance of the Christian
church. There is no trace of the
celebration of Easter as Christian
festival in the New Testament.
Neither Christ nor his Apostles en-
joined the keeping of this or any other
festival. 1.-THE Apostles, says an
early church historian, "had no
thought of appointing festival days,
but Of promoting life of blessedness
and piety.n But the human instinct
which everywhere Graves for the COM
memoration Of marked epochs in the
personal, social, ecclesiastical or ma
tional life found its legitimate gratifi-
cation in the public celebration Of the
events which are the foundation of the
Christian faith, and So the Christian
Easter has come to be universally rec
ognized. 1t is not however the festi-
val itself that dignifies Easter Day,
since every Lords Day the First Day
Of the week commentaries the same
event, as the Great Fact which it re-
calls and emphasizes.
The Importance Of the Resurrection
history has been recognized alike by
the friends and foes Of the Christian
religion. With the standing or fall Of
this one article Of the Christian faith
the whole superstructure Of the Chris
tian system is established or over
thrown. If Jesus of Nazareth did not
rise from Joseph's tomb, as recorded,
then not only was He not the son Of
God, He was not even a true prophet,
since during his lifetime He frequent
ly predicted He would rise again; and
If false prophet, then He was not a
good man or a real and all sufficient
Saviour. If, however, He did rise from
the garden sepulchre, then not only
was his previous testimony concern
ing Himself guaranteed; but all it inn
piled was confirmed Himself tide
clared to be the Son of God with
power;n his sacrifice on the cross at
tested as a Precipitation for sinful men;
life and Immortality brought to light;
and the future Resurrection Of the
saints placed beyond the reach Of
doubt.
In other words, no Resurrection
would mean no true divinity for Jesus;
no Resurrection would mean no way
of salvation; no Resurrection would
mean no eternal life no Resurrec-
tion would mean no Intercessor and
mediator In Heaven; no Resurrection
would mean no redemption Of the
body no Resurrection would mean
no victory over death and the grave !;
no Resurrection would mean no COM
ing Lord and glory
There are doubtless many thought
full minds who would hesitate II they
were asked whether they really be
lieyed the historical fact of Christ s
Resurrection. who yet cannot help a
certain sense OF exaltation, the leaping
Up Of a sudden glorious hope and pos
sibility when the light Of Easter morn
ing dawns upon the earth However
dimly the minds Of many may appre-
bend the significance OF the Supreme
fact, It IS at least something that NOR
tai men have been able even 70 i'm
agine an incompatible Immortality and
to believe that one at least Of the I'M
told millions who have died and been
buried has broken the bonds OF The
tomb and lived again On earth, and
lstill lives who was dead aud i
alive foreyermore.
| The sovereign cure for all troubled
hearts, for bereayed and s0rrowine
ones, for all who, conscious OF tfeil
weakness III The awful conflict with
self and sins and death, wonder If lifg