Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1911-04-11
CHILDREN CAY
ON EASTER DAY

1t Is an interesting study 10 note the
gradual change which takes place In
the observance Of a popular holiday.
The very word is significant In the
beginning all festivals were religious
ceremonies. and the days upon which
they were celebrated were holy
days." which by corruption became
the holiday" Of the present time.
Nor was this the only change. In
heather times. with few exceptions.
the festivals were merry ones. marked
with wine. flowers and dancing. where
as the holy days of the early Chris
tians were dnctured with sadness.
Some of this gloom chung to church
festivals until within comparatively
modern times and only Of late has
disappeared. Now the popular mean.
ing of a holiday is one devoted to mn.
sic and merriment. good living and
good cheer.
That the world. Is the better for such
a change there can be no doubt When
people find that to be good does not
necessarily mean to be grave or that
an upright life Is not incompatible
with jollity more people will be good.
Children learn this lesson much more
quickly than adults. and therefore the
children Of the present day are pecul-
iariy fortunate. because austerity ID
no longer a part of religion.
II happens that Easter is doubly
blessed in this respect because 1t has
always marked the close Of a peniten-
tial season and typifies new life and
gladness and also because 1t has al
ways been day which children have
celebrated. In the professions which
in some countries mark the observ-
ance Of the festival children take q
prominent part. In Germany there
are special games for Easter day. and
even In this country we have adopted
the pleasing custom Of giving pres
ents. making visits and interchanging
little courtesies which tend to make
life happier.
With each passing year Easter is
coming more into popular favor. not
only with church members Of all de-
nominations. but with people who re-
gard the day solely as one Of good
cheer. There are all too few such holi-
days in our national life. and the
growth of Easter In general esteem Ia
therefore cause for congratulation.
At this distant day 1t does not really
matter how the festival originated
any more than the exact date OF
Christmas. The day itself and the
event 1t commentaries are alone OF I'm.
portance. and the way the day Is cele-
brated is Of more importance than all.
When any day Is looked forward to
and anticipated with Joy by the chill
dren we may be sure that 1t will not
fall into popular disfavor. 1t might be
possible to make young people simu'
late grief. but they cannot successfully
counterfeit JOY.
Tomorrow Is Easter!" the children
cry joyfully. and the Easter dawn is
STeeteu VIII eQuoi Siauhe'S' ~ !" 1oN'
at least In this country. because OF the
colored eggs or the pretty presents or
even the lesson Of the day so much AZ
because OF the general joyousness
which seems to pervade the very air
The people one meets on the street
wear smiling faces. the bells ring out
In quicker time and clearer melody.
and there Is contagiOn of happiness
which young people are the first to
feel
Easter aud spring 20 hand In hand
Each is the harbinger of new life to
earth and man. and each Is blessed for
the pure and simple happiness 1t
brings.