The Springfield herald., 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 crowning figure displayed
in the ridge line of its roofs. Crosses,
in an endless variety of forms, still
surmount the loftiest 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.
1t was now considered to add dignity
to the crowns and scepters Of emper-
ors and princes. 1t became the proud
est ensign of knightly rank. The
greatest warriors were proud to see the
cross on the hilts of their swords as
well as on the banners under which
they fought. 1t also became a sign OF
merit for valor and bravery-a reward
for deeds OF honor. as the iron cross
of Prussia established by William Ill.
for patriotic bravery In war
1t was worn also as a 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
termenu of conditions OF the wounded
soldiers in campaigns on land and
sea. In Crusader days. beginning
with Peter the Hermit. in 1904, start
ing out to deliver the Holy Land from
the dominion of the infidel the brave
warriors were thus named because OF
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
cross head, distinguishing 1t from the
pastoral" staff of bishops and abbots.
which have 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 handicraftsman also
but uses the figure of 1t among the
implements Of his industry. 1t forms
part of man himself" Man has been
created in this form as has been beau
tifuily illustrated by Emily Collier in
the painting depicting the Holy Child's
expression of his loye-"So wide is
my love-"
In the middle ages and in Crusaders
days the cross was the distinctive
+, symbol of the Christian in contradis-
tinction to the Crescent of the Mo-
hammedan.
The custom of marking ones sig
nature by a cross was first adopted
by Christians in the year ITO to dis
tinguish them from the pagans. and 1t
stood for silent oath.
The early Christians Immediately
used this sign. which was connected
with their religion. as a secret mes
sage to one another in their first days
of persecution. Mlngling with the
prosecutors of their faith. they could
thus make themselves known to each
other without calling the attention Of
those around them. In visiting the
catacombs in Rome. where they hid
| from fear of their prosecutors, 1t Is In
tensely interesting to notice that the
sign so sacred to them Is carved and
engraven all around the walls of their
prison cells and above the tombs OF
their brethren.