Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1913-03-21
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Easter has been observed not only in Christian
Europe and America, but far across the sea in
the ancient stronghods of pagan superstition
And so it 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 affuence
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 is observed
with deep, religious feeling In Jerusalem, the
Holy City, enshrned 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 season 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 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 the Via Dolorosa-supposed to be the
road which Christ bore the cross to Cal
vary-when this commemorative journey is made
hy the pilgrims on their knees.
Easter customs still cling to England in many
places. Maundy money is distributed Thurs
day at Westminster Abbey, in the days OF
Pepys old men and women 60 years of age
receive specially mnted coins, corresponding to
the years in King Georges life 1t follows that
the older British king is. the money is
distributed.
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 crucifx at Easter is still
maintained as a survival of that older ceremony
OF "watching the sepulchre" In olden days this
droo nh nd pl Yit
Friday with the lowering Of the great crucihx
and its bestowal in shallow grave dug beneath
the high altar, where it remained until early in
the morning of Easter day. In course of time
as the ritual became ornate, the grave was
discarded In favor OF n temporary wooden sepul-
chre erected the north of the choir and the
host as we'll he crucifx deposited
therein.
An old writer on Durham cathedral thus de.
scrbes 1t: "On Good Friday, after the singing
Of the Passion. two monks took large crucfx
and laying 1t upon velvet cushion. brought 1t
to the lower greeses (steps) OF the quire and
there betwxt them held the cruciix.
Then one of the monks rose and went pretty
space from 1t and setting himself upon his knees
to the cross and kissed It, and after him the
other monk die likewise. Afterwards did the
prior and all the monks the whole choir in the
meantime singing an anthem Amidst the light
of the candles and the burning of incense. the
then carried to the sepulchre and there
was laid, together with the holy sacrament. with
In the sepulchre."
Guards then placed to watch until Easter
morning. when the singing of "Chrstus Resur-
gems" the sacred symbols where taken out Of
their temporary grave and replaced upon the al
tar It was al 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. nclud-
Ing st. Georges In the Borough-'Llttle Dorrit's
church"-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 the
mansion house. a queer distribution is still car
ried out In accordance with the VIII of Sir John
spencer, who lord mayor in 1894. He left a