Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1910-03-25

lowed the lines of cross, so that the
very walls from their foundations up
ward might carry with them as they
rose the image of the sacred sign, to
receive its browning figure displayed
in the ridge line of it's roofs. Crosses,
in an endless variety of forms, still
surmount the Hottest and finest parts
of the architecture of the cathedrals
and churches of Europe. Above the
tombs of the departed or even in the
pavements of the church above the
monumental vaults in these cathedrals
this same sign proclaims the faith of
those who rest beneath.
Being the keynote and the glory"
of the Christian religion this emblem
soon became priced In other directions
besides those ecclesiastic. With the
triumph of Christianity the cross at
once was recognized as universal
symbol of highest nobility and honor.
It was row considered to add dignity
ors and princes. II became the proud
est ensign of knightly rank The
greatest warriors were proud to see the
cross on the hits of their swords as
well as on the banners under which
| they fought. 1t also became a sign OF
merit for yalor and bravery-a reward
for deeds OF honor as the iron cross
of Prussia established by William III.
for patriotic bravery In war
1t was worn also as protection in
times Of trouble. To denote the con-
secration of those devoted to the aid
of the suffering and needy; the Red
Cross was the confederation of socie-
ties in different countries for the bet.
termenG of conditions of the wounded
soldiers in campaigns on land and
sea. In Crusader days. beginning
with Peter the Hermit, in 1894, start,
ing out to deliver the Holy Land from
the dominion of the infidel. the brave
warriors were thus named because oil
the red cross they wore as badges on
their right shoulders.
The archbishop,s crozier-the en-
sign of his office-is the staff with q
cross head. distinguishing It from the
pastoral. staff of bishops and abbots
which nave a shepherds crook
Thus has been experienced the say
ing of Justin Martyr so many years
ago-that the sign of the cross was
impressed upon the whole of nature
There IS hardly handieraftsman alst
but uses the figure of 1t among tht
implements of his industry. 1t form.
a part of man himself" Man has beer
created in this form as has been beau
tifully illustrated by Emily Collier II
the painting depicting the Holy Child.
expression OF his love-"So wide /.
my love-"
In the middle ages and in Crusaders
days the cross was the distinctly,
symbol of the Christian in contradis
tinction to the Crescent of the Mo
hammedan.
The custom of marking ones sic
J nature by cross was first adopte,
by Christians in the year 10 to dis
tinguish them from the pagans. and |
J stood for silent oath.
J The early Christians immediatel,
! used this sign. which was connectel
with their religion. as a secret mes
sage to one another In their first day
! of persecution. Mingling with tn
, prosecutors of their faith. they coul
! thus make themselves known to eacl
other without cal1'eg the attention O
those around them. In visiting tn
: catacombs in Rome. where they hi
{ from fear of their prosecutors, it is In
) tensely interesting to notice that tn
sign SO sacred to them is carved an
engraven all around the walls of thei
t prison cells and above the tombs Q
, their brethren