Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1909-04-04

stand more prominently on
the page Of history than any
others Throughout all the mutations
and vicissitudes that have entered
into the worlds history during the
past two thousand years the two fes-
tivals that commemorate respectively
the birth and the resurrection OF the
Man of Nazareth still shine with ins-
ter that remains unfaded after the
lapse OF two centuries.
The Christian festival Of Easter is
not only a celebration Of great an
tiquity. but many of its popular OBJ
servances are clearly Of pagan origin.
In northern Germany the ancient Teu-
tons were accustomed to celebrate the
feast of the Goddess Ostara. who was
the personification OF morning. Or the
east. and also Of the opening year, or
spring. This custom continued to be
observed down to the beginning OF the
present century. The pagan rites in
stituted by the Germans were brought
into England by the Saxons. and un.
der the name Of Easter the Teuton di.
vInity was honored by the Anglo-Sax
ons with Joy and feastins about the
same season of the year that the
Christian Easter festival arrives.
II was about the year 6S A. d. that
the formal institution OF the celebra-
ton OF the day by Christians took
place. To the followers Of the Risen
Lord the heather season Of rejoicing
at the rising Of the natural sun and
the awakening OF nature at the death
Of winter was easily suggestive Of JOY
at the rising OF the Son Of Righteous
ness-the resurrection OF Christ from
the tomb. 1t also followed rs q natu II
result that the devout adherents Of
the Christ in their reverence for the
day. upon which was performed the
and most sublime OF miracles
should continue to set It apart each
week as a day for divine worship. to
the utter exclusion Of the Sabbath Of
the DecalOgue.
The rites and ceremonies that char
acterize the celebration Of the Easter
festival, although modified somewhat
in this age. still retain many Of the
features that marked It in earlier
years. In the early church the core
monies lasted eight days Courts of
Justice were closed and aims were dis
pensed in the churches t" thr poor
and needy. Popular sports. farcicai
cxhibi: ions and dancing were INDUCED
in. These latter frivoiities. however.
were abolished by the reformcrs Of the
sixteenth century Our AngioSaxon
ancestors held daily services in tho
churches from Palm Sunday to the he-
ginning Of the Faster festival People
saluted each Other with The Easier
kiss and the words "f:x Surrryit" 'fic
has riscn,. 10 WHICH greeting III" reply
''vcrc Surrcxii" Tie is riSrn ind~rdb
The chief solcmni'y of the occasion
vas The crleh~a,ion Of the Lords sup
per.
In Russia Easter Sunday IS hoii-
day that exceeds all oihcrs At mid.
night Of Saturday a metropolitan or
priest. preceded bv cross-b"arcr and
lupv beIriug hoiv wat"r. vessels and
candies and followed h solemn pro.
ccssion. issues from the church and
going round tho wall srrinkics " With
holy wafer. Tic then prorouncrs a
bcRciic'Icn upon 'honsands Of lar-".
sscnnd. gi'icd loavcs. py-s1'ids ~ hat
tor with palms stuck IN them. s0d
exgS In great quantities. This c"-c
s,ony signals tho cio.c Of Lent. and
nshcrs In Tas''r SIaday. Joyful
voices 81 the faithful src hard CRYING
out: Chyisios vor Chris" ,Chris: -
risrn, and Tho rcsp0asr "'Ir Is risen
indeed Tho kiss u.rn ~iihcr ch"'k
Is rh~n sivrn by all. this Ssiu'~ h"'ng
given and received 10y ",lP"T"r and