Lewiston inter-state news. [volume] (Lewiston, Idaho) 1905-1906, 1905-04-21

Episcopal bodies observe IT with but
little less pornp.
Ecclesiastical controversy ragged for
MANY years about the actual day 10
he celebrated, but disputes We're finally
settled by the decree of the Council Of
Nicaea. 325 A. D., when ii was fixed
anon the first Sunday after the full
moon which comes upon. or next after
the 21st of March. Since then it has
been universally celebrated on the same
day.
Legend Of Easter.
Coupled with it's religious nature is
a certain legendary interest, as it is
said TO have been celebrated as per-
sonifcation of the East. of Morning
and of Spring. The worship of the
Teutonic goddess Ostera was deeply
rooted in Northern Germany and was
brought into England by the Saxons
Finding it impossible to abolish it. ii
is claimed that the early missionaries
endeavored to change it into Chris
non lcStiNdi. was INt VII
fcuty in doing so, for the frightening
day, the bursting of spring from WIN
ter and the universal resurrection of
natural things could quite easily be
of the Sun of Righteousness the power
of Christ over death and his release
from the grave.
Very great. indeed, was the honor
paid to the Feast of the Resurrec-
ton" by the early Christions. In very
early times the day was introduced by
fasting on the Friday before. known as
Good Friday and the night pre-
ceding was devoted to prayer and
thanksgiving until cockcrow. which
the people believed to have been the
early Christians, Easter morn. greeted
each other with the salutation. Christ
is rsen." to which the one thus ad-
dressed answered. Christ hath risen,
indeed. and hath appeared unto ST.
mon" On Easter even the tavern
keeper left his gain, all business was
suspended. travellers arranged to be at
home and labor ceased in order to at
tend Easter services. All Christians
assembled everywhere as members of
one family. The poor man dressed
like the rich, while the latter wore his
best and brightest attire. Those who
had no good clothes of their own bor-
rowed of their neighbors and even lit
tie children We're bright and happy in
their newest and gayest garments.
Thus it seems that the present day
haoit OF wearing new and bright
clothes on Easter is at least IS centur-
les old. A popular belief in Scotland
at an early date was that one must
wear for the first time on Easter Sun
day new article of dress TO insure
good fortune in love affairs during the
year. Can this be the origin Of the
Easter hat?
Spirit Of Times Changes.
Probably the very early Christians
thought as much of being in Jerusa-
lem to observe the festival as the
modern woman does of having a be-
coming Easter hat. At the Easter sea
son the city was the mecca toward
which the faithful went to render theil
devotions. And it still is place OF
markable activity on Easter week. con.
sidering it's dizziness at other times. Il
snakes off its lethargy and bestirs it.
sell INTO new and unaccustOmed lif'
on the celebration of this season. Pill.
grims come from the north. south. cas-
and west Christians come from ever!
quarter OF the surrounding Christian
OF Passion Week. while Jews come t
observe the Passover and to weep owe
'he desolation of Zion. The peasant
and swarthy Bedoins flock from tn
desert to get share Of the money o
the visitors.
But little less notable is Easter oh
servance at St. Petersburg where tn
"reek Church is seen in its glory. AZ
piofohged fasting, the people as
semble on Easter eve at the churches
Al midnight the priests make the cir
cut Of the church in elaborate pro
cesslon. After two hours of servic
'he golden doors of the Holy of Hole
are thrown open and the priest ad
'ances holding the cross in his hand
ana announces Christ is risen" H
Is risen' is caught up by the peopl
ana each kisses his neighbor with end
embraces. The bells ring. canno
are nred, and all the city is af1ame wit
ishts and holy Joy. Food has bee
''oaght, and after II is blessed by III
PRIESTS the people dispense for feast
ing riding. and in many cases. drunk
ness. For the ensuring three or fot