The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1913-03-22

Easter has been observed not only in Christian
Europe and America. but far across the sea In
the ancient strongholds Of pagan superstition
And SO 1t 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 afluence
and beauty and growing. and rapture of high
vitality in plant and human life alike-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 so many memories Of
Christ his life his work. his death and his resu-
rection, the celebration of Easter is of peculiar
interest Representatives of so many churches
and sects assemble here at this season for spe
cial 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
oilers 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 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 their knees.
Easter customs still cling to England in many
places. Maundy money is distributed on Thurs.
day at Westminster Abbey. in the days of
Pepys. old men and women over 60 years of age
receive specially minted coins, corresponding to
the years in King Georges life. 1t follows that
the older British king is. the more money is
distributed
On Good Friday there is a procession to 81.
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 crucifx at Easter is still
maintained as survival Of that older ceremony
OF watching the sepulchre" In olden DAYS this
graphic and elaborate rite commenced on Coco
Friday with the lowering of the great cruciix
and Its bestowal in shallow grave dug beneath
the high altar where 1t remained until early IN
the morning OF Easter day. In course of time
~ the ritual became more ornate. the grave was
discarded In favor Of a temporary wooden senul
chre erected on the north Of the choir and I.
host as well as The crucifx were deposited
therein.
An old writer on Durham cathedral thus de-
scribes II: "On Good Friday after the singing
Of the Passion, two monks took large crucifx
and. laying 1t upon velvet cushion, brought It
to the lower greeses (steps) of the quire and
there betwixt them held the crucifix
Then one OF the monks rose and went a pretty
space from II and setting himself upon his knees
to the cross and kissed It, and after him the
other 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 sepuchre and there
was laid. together with the holy sacrament with
In the sepulchre."
Guards were 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 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
ing St Georges in the Borough-"Little Dorrit's
church"-and St. Johns Walworth, are SO
lthronged by Easter wedding couples that the
CLERGY often marry them in groups.
At the church Of St Mary, Woonooth. near the
mansion house, q queer distribution is still car.
sfed out in accordance with the will Of Sir John
Spencer. who was lord mayor In 1894 He left