The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1913-03-21
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Easter 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
it's 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 afluence
and beauty and growing, and rapture OF hig
vitality in plant and human life alike-that wor
drous time has come again.
In every Christian land the season is observed
with deep. regioss feeling In Jerusalem, the
Holy City enshrined with many memories OF
Christ his life his Work, his death and his resu--
rection. the celebration of Easter is OF peculiar
interest. Representatives OF many churches
and sects assemble here at this for spe-
cial religious celebrations that 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 on Good
Friday 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 their knees.
Easter customs still cling to England in many
places Maundy money is distributed on Thurs.
day at Westminster Abbey as in the days OF
Pepys. old men and women 60 years OF age
receive specially minted coins corresponding to
the years in King Georges llfe II follows that
the older a British king is. the more money is
distributed.
On Good Friday there Is n procession TO st
Pauls 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 crucinx at Easter is still
maintained as a survival OF that older ceremony
graphic and elaborate rite commenced on Gooo
Friday with the lowering Of the great cruciay
and IT'S bestowal in shallow grave dug beneath
the high altar. where II remained until early i'm
the morning Of Easter day. In course Of time
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 as 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 large crucihx
and laying 1t upon velvet cushion. brought It
TO the lower greeses (stepsl OF the Qulre and
there betwixt them held the cruci6X
Then one OF the monks and went pretty
space from II and setting himself upon his knees
10 the cross and kissed it. and after him the
other monk did likewise. Afterwards 90 did the
prior and all the ponks. the whole choir in the
meantime singing an 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 sepulchre"
Guards we're then placed TO watch until Easter
morning when the singing OF "Christus Resur-
gems" the sacred symbols where taken out OF
their temporary grave and replaced upon the al.
tar II was an 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. incud.
ing st Georges in the Borough-"Little Dorrits
church"-and St Johns, Walworth
thronged by Easter wedding couples that the
clergy often marry them In groups.
At the church Of St Mary. Woolnooth. near the
mansion house n queer distribution is still
ried out I'm accordance with the will Of Sir John
Spencer. who was lord mayor in 1894 lie left