The Point Pleasant register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, W. Va.) 1909-1939, 1910-02-09
81. VALENTINES DAY;


St Valentine is emphatically the
patron saint of lovers, and as such
has received the OblatiOn ofcenturies.
History tells US that this adorable
saint was priest of Rome, who was
martyred by first being beaten with
club and then beheaded during the
reign of Emperor Claudius II. in the
city of Rome about the year e7o.
The curious obseryauces which are
hallowed by his name began early in
the third century, when he became
identified with this great festival and
elected its patron saint because he
had great power in making the love
affairs of the young people run so
smooth and of Strengthening out their
quarrels. When he was overcome
with misfortune the young people
mourned him and met secretly each
year to pay homage to his memory.
On these occasions they presented
each other with little tokens, which
they called St. Valentine, and from
this the custom of celebrating Feb
ruary IA has reached its present pop
ularity, thus making the anniversary
ola tragic death day when love
demands special offering and fancy is
free to play in comedy and caricature.
1t is loves triumphant holiday.
Cupid, the little God of Love reigns
supreme and is busy sowing his mis-
chievous darts while St. Valentine
holds the winning hand.
1t is the mailman's day of woe,
but even he must smile under the
bag of sweet missives and tender
billet doux that means 50 much to
the lives of the young.
Neither the twentieth century
rush. nor the practical age of
scientific advancement can eradicate
the romance in human nature.
ORIGIN OF THE FEAST.
Partaking of the spirit of the Gus
tom much thought, ingenuity, love
and money are lavished freely every
year on valentines, and valentine
ideas have ever since the celebration
of the day become something more
than drawing of lots to chivaralous
ends. The sentiment begins when
the shop windows betoken the coming
of this love god by the display OF
hearts, Cupid darts, CONNECTIONS and
myriads of tokens that typify his
coming, and the climax is reached
when the postman hands you one
with your name upon it.
As to the real origin of the feast
study of the history and of the
times would lead one to the conclu-
sion that it was the outgrowth of the
struggle ofChristianity against pagan
ism, the festival supplanting the Ro-
man feast of Lupercalia, which was
celebrated during the month of Feb
ruary in honor of Pan and Juno.
The latter deity was named FribulIa.
derived from the word Fibrum, which
in the Sabine language signifies pur-
cation. On this occasion, amidst
variety of ceremonies, the names of
young women were put into box,
from which they were drawn by men,
as chance directed. The feast was
held every year with appropriate
sacrifices of goats and dogs. 1t was
a distinction to be chosen priest of
Lupercalia. 1t was only the great
to whom such privileges were per-
mitted. 1t was said that An
thOny on the day he offered the dia-
dem to his friend Caesar was oficiat-
ing as one Ofthe personages. Chaucer
alludes to the feast, as does Shake
speare, in Act l., Scene 2, when he
speaks through Caesar:
Stand you directly in Antonio's
way when he doth run his course"
&c.
The pastors of the early Christian
Church who bv every ,,oss;l,l,. ,,