The Washington herald., 1914-04-05
GOOD FRIDAY CoMMEMoRAT1oN.

The Rev. DR.. McIlvaine, Of Pittsburgh.
has done well to bring TO the attention
Of the clergy the resolution adopted at
the last general convention. which calls
upon all Christian people TO commemor-
ate the sacred events Of Good Friday by
at least a few minutes OF thoughtful sill
ence at the appropriate hour. declares
the Churchman. In the communication
which DIR. McIlvaine has addressed to
the clergy he points out that when the
president Of great railway system dies
there is a cessation OF business in its
shops and ONCE for a few minutes at
the hour Of his funeral: the system Is
silent out OF respect for his memory.
The veterans OF the Grand Army observe
few minutes silence at noon on Me-
mortal Day in commemoration Of the
death OF their comrades. It is the worlds
way OF showing respect There Is no
expression OF recognition or commemora-
ton Of the sacrifice and death Of the
worlds Saviour by the great Christian
world. II observes Christmas in recog-
milton Of His birth: IL very largely OBJ
serves Easter in commemoration OF His
resurrection: but for multitudes OF peo-
pie who call themselves Christians, who
believe in Christ. who honor His mem
ory and trust in His atoning death.
there is no expression or commemoratton
Of His death which at all corresponds
with that of His birth and resurrection"
The observation OF Christmas and
Easter is now common to Christians
everywhere The JOY and brightness Of
these holy occasions readily appeal even
to the indifferent. Their festival spirit
is infectious II spreads even TO those
who have little sympathy or regard FOR
the sacred events which are cOmmemor-
ated. II Is not so with Good Friday. with
its somber teaching of the meaning and
power OF sin. Men shrink from its vivid
memories OF grief and suffering The care
less look upon its commemOration as NOR
bid sentimentality. There is an astonish-
ing inconsistencies OF the wicked incon-
sistency that would shun the bitterness
and agony of the battle and Yet press
eagerly and joyously forward to share in
the glad triumph. II is impossible honor
ably to keep Easter unless we are will
ing to observe Good Friday-at least by
the few minutes of special personal con-
temptation OF Christ crucified."
There can be no debate as to the
reasonableness and appropriateness" OF
the commemoration which the General
Convention has enJoined upon the church
Dr. McIlvaine has suggested a further
consideration which gives added weight
to the resolution. Adequate and ap-
proprfate observance of the day by our
own church may appeal to other Chris
tian communions. as our observance OF
Christmas and Easter has done" Moth
ing could do more to commend Good Fri
day to all Christian people" than the
proper appreciation and use OF the day
by the people OF our own church. This
must stand first. Then our clergy may.
with better grace and a more reasonable
hope. bring the matter before their min
isterial associates OF other communions.
There are many places, OF which Denver.
Colo, is a notable example, where our
clergy have been instrumental in pro-
noting union services for Holy Week
and Good Friday, in which Christians OF
many names cordially Join. Such efforts
must tend to promote a more fitting
recognition of the sacrifice and death OF
the worlds Saviour"