The Carlisle independent., 1907-03-28

tion, and so, as the Egyptians were skilled in astronomical matters, this was left for long time to the Alex andrian see to decide.
 The rules decreed that the Fist of March should be regarded as the yer nal equinox
 The full moon happening upon or next after the Fist of March should be regarded as the full moon of the month of Nissan
 The first Lords day after that full day
 If the full moon chanced to fall on Sunday, the next Sunday should be Easter day
 AS all the movable feasts and lasts depend on Easter, uniformity of time in it's observance was an important matter. The rules adopted by the Nicene council makes it possible for it to fall upon any Sunday of five weeks, commencing with March 22 and ending with April 25.
 The name Easter is derived from the name of the Saxon goddess of spring, Eostre, Eastre, or Ostera, and may be traced back to the Phoenician moon goddess, Astarte, so often asso- ciated with the hare in Eastern myths. Hence, perhaps, the use of the hare in connection with the Easter eggs. which it is said to lay
 Some think the name comes from the word oster, which means rising. and to Christians it, of course, is commemorative of the rising of Christ from the dead
 The month dedicated to the spring goddess of the Saxons was the fourth month, which answers to our April. and her festival was held in honor of the opening of the natural year. to commemorate the setting free of the natural forces of germination and growth which the winter had chilled and crucif1e3
 Each nation has had its own Easter customs, but many of them can be traced back to the ancient spring fes- tivals welcoming the return of the sun. In the church it is one of the three great Christian feasts. and has been known as the Queen of Festivals and the Lord of Days. It is ushered in by vigil and fasting, but is. itself time of rejoicing. In the olden days relic of the fire worshiping time could be found in the kindling of new and pure fires, after the old ones had been extinguished, from the Pas chal candle, the great and sacred can. dle which often weighed hundreds of pounds. The washing of the feet of others by high dignitaries of church and state was, of course, done in memory of Christ's washing the feet of the apostles.
 Music, candles, bonfires, flowers. miracle plays, the pealing of bells, the exchange of gifts, the liberation of prisoners, the setting free of slaves. the giving of aims or maunds. the playing of games, some of them rude and rough enough indeed, during East CT week-these set apart the season from others.
 Certain articles of food, such as tan sy cake, typifying the bitter herbs. and hot cross buns and custards were eaten in England. In Ireland the peasants rose early to see the sun dance, which we may do by lookin 2 in a stream of water, as they did Most of the ruder sports have died out, but the note of gladness in it's ob. servance still dominates, though sounded in gentler fashion.
 And the solemn observance of the church, made beautiful by an impres. sive ritual invested with all that light and color and sound can add to a cere. mony, inspire the faithful with the thought that once again light and life have triumphed over death and dark