The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1909-05-05
The Same" Side of the Easter Question.

ISV request OF Tue C4ehtt >0!IOA:
wrote an editorial Tor TIE MANNING
TINES on Easter Celebration, It's Or
isiD, etc."
There were several errors made IN
printing, as did not have an emporium
ity to proof-read same, but as none OF
those points mutilated by the press have
been assailed. take it that my discus
sion was understood in the main.
In writing the article l had 20 prelu-
dices or religious predictions TO guard
or defend. l took as my highest author
ity the New Testament OF our Lord and
Savior Jesus Christ, and :rled 10 let the
motives that would most honor Him and
shat Book guide me. | then made re-
search with due diligence from the oih-
er reliable sources at hand. When these
are mentioned 10 the scholar It will De
acknowled ged that had no mean coun-
sci at my back. Among these authori-
ties are, Chambers Encyclopaedia OF
Universal Knowledge, not 50 new as
some but quite reliable: Encyclopaedia
Britannica up-to-date. and 1t must be
acknowledged there is none better: The
University Encyclopedias, new and up
to-6ate: The Popular and Critical Bible
Encyclopaedia. which is one OF the lat
est and best authorities out: Two other
sets of Cyclopaedias, not new but for the
purpose in hand, as good us the best.
All of which were examined with the
same result.
If the reader OF my article will re-
member, it is quotations from these au-
thorities that Frof New assalls. and in
platitudiuous ebulition Of sentiment
tries to take care OF an idol of his creed.
In the very first sentence OF his ar'l-
Gle he places the merits Of the question
on sentiment" rather than an auth
orized mandate Of christianity. am
rot careful for the sentimental part
alone il can find no better foundation.
1t was truth I was after, that tru'h
which ultimately must be found under
Meath sentiment TO immOrJailZe 1t. l
myself found ground for endorsing and
upholding the custom OF Easter Cele-
bration, II I had been mindful of the
wright OF sentiment in place OF truth.
In this article I do not intend 10
lengtAen the discussion Of this question
A question that has been SO fruitful of
dispute in other days could doubtless
find scope for wearisome consideration
now, if only an appeal TO sentiment was
the aim.
In my first article my aim was to show
the readers of THE TINES the origin,
abuces and unscripturalness Of the prac-
tice now engaged in by many ecc'esias-
tical christian bodies, as christian rite.
My only reason for this furthur article
is to add to the other evidence procuc-
ed, one new, though very Inconsistent,
witness. my assailant, Prof. Albert
New, \. B. \. NJ, Principle CT the Jor-
dan High School.
Quoting from Chambers Encyclopae-
dia Of Universal knowledge on the or
igin OF the Feast said:
Many OF the popular observaaccS connected
with Easter are clearly OF Pagan origin The
goddess OStara or EaStre seems TO have been
the personifc;ltion Of the morning or east and
also Of the opening year OF Sprln2.
The Anclo-SaXon name Of April was EStoi-
rnonath: and it is still known in Germany IS
Ostermonath. The worship OF this being seems
to have struck deep root in Northern Germany.
and was brought into England by the SaNons.
It continued 20 be celebrated II many parts in
the north Of Germany down TO the beginning or
the present C9th) century, by the Eiudln% OF
bon6tireS and numerous other rites. WITH
her usual policy. the church cndeavored TO give
Il Christian significance to such CT the rites as
could not be rooted out: end in this case the
communion was particularly easy.
cro;,, nrotinr frp,o rhc Ercrr1 r10On o.