The Raymer enterprise., 1913-03-20
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Easter has been observed not only in Christian
Europe and America, but far across the sea In
the ancient strongholds OF pagan superstition
And 30 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, gancng wing and sudden song floating
cloud and prismic shower, the time OF affiuence
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 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.
cal 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 much In evidence at this time to check
the smallest beginning Of open conflict. One Of
the most impressive features OF the Eastcrtide
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 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 n 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 crucifx at Easter is still
maintained 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 crucHx
and It's 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 more ornate the grave was
discarded in favor Of temporary wooden sepul.
chre erected on the north OF the choir and the
host well rs he crucifx 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 crucfx
and, laying 1t upon n velvet cushion. brought II
to the lower greeses tsteps) OF the qure and
there betwixt them held the crucifx.
Then one OF the monks 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 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 gacrament, 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 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. includ.
ing 81. Georges in the Borough-"Little Dorrit's
church'-and St. Johns Walwor,h 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 will OF Sir John
Spencer who was lord mayor in 1894. He left