The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1913-03-21

raster has been observed not only In Christian
Europe and America but far the sea in
the ancient strongholds OF pagan superstition.
And so Il has come TO pass that the very word
Easter thrills the heart with gladness bringing
Its welcome announcement that the gloom Is
past, and the time OF bud and blossom, leaf and
spray. glancing wing and sudden song, floating
cloud and prismic shower, the time OF aiiuence
and beauty and growing, and rapture of high
vitality in plant and human life allke-that won
drous time has come again.
In every Christian land the season is observed
with Deep religious feeling. In Jerusalem, the
Holy City, enshrined with many memories of
Christ his life his work, his death and his resur.
rection, the celebration of Easter is of peculiar
interest Representatives OF so many churches
and sects assemble here at this season for spe.
clal religious celebrations that an elaborate
schedule has to be planned to prevent worship
according to one form OF the Christian faith from
interfering with that of another Turkish sol
diers are much In evidence at this time to check
the smallest beginning of open conflict One OF
the most impressive features of the Eastertide
observance In Jerusalem Is Witnessed Good
Friday on the Via Dolorosa-supposed to be the
road over which Christ bore the cross to Cal
vary--when this commemorative journey Is made
by the pilgrims on their knees.
Easter customs still cling to England in many
places Maundy money is distributed Thurs.
day at Westminster Abbey as In the days OF
=
receive specially minted coins corresponding to
the years in King Georges life 1t follows that
the older a British king Is, the more money is
distributed.
On Good Friday there is procession TO St
Paul's cathedral revived from early times by the
Bishop Of London. and the suburban districts
have smaller ones to their parish churches
The yelling OF the crucihx at Easter is still
maintained as a survival OF that older ceremony
OF watching the sepulchre." In olden days this
graphic and elaborate rite commenced on Good
Friday with the lowering OF the great crucihx
and Its hestowal in shallow grave dug beneath
the high altar whore ii remained until early in
the morning OF Easter day, In course of time,
as the ritual became more ornate. the grave was
discarded In favor Of temporary wooden sepul-
chre erected on the north OF the choir. and the
host well as he crucihx were deposited
therein.
An old writer on Durham cathedral thus de
scribes IT. "on Good Friday after the singing
OF the Passion two monks took a large crucifx
and laying II upon a velvet cushion. brought It
to the lower greeses (steps) of the quire and
there betwixt them held the crucifx
Then one OF the monks rose and went a pretty
space from It and setting himself upon his knees
to the cross and kissed H. and after him the
ether monk did likewise Afterwards so did the
prior and all the monks. the whole choir in the
meantime singing anthem. Amidst the light
OF the candles and the burning OF incense. the
cross was then carried to the sepulchre and there
was laid, together with the holy sacrament. with
In the sepuchre."
Guards were then placed 70 watch until Easter
morning. when the singing OF "Christus Resur-
Iens," the sacred symbols where taken out OF
their temporary grave and replaced upon the al
tar, II was old belief that the eyes which be-
held this Easter elevation would not close in
death during the year to come
The churches in many poorer quarters includ.
ug St Georges in the Borough-"Little Dorrits
shurch"--and st. Johns. Walworth are so
thronged by Easter wedding couples that the
clergy often marry them In groups.
At the church OF St Mary. woolnooth near tho
mansion house. a queer distribution is stiH car.
ried out in accordance with tile will OF Sir John
spencer. who was lord mayor in 1894 He lefi