The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1914-04-10
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ing nations that He was yet in the tomb
and in the sleep OF death had forgotten
the world. Toll stripes and anguish
were the portion OF His people, for the
poor are His. Wickedness wore the robe
and crown and filled the earth with SIGH
ing. Even then there were brave hearts
that looked up through the clouds and
listened for the anthem of the resurrec-
ton. 1t was heard at last and liberty of
thought, faith and conscience was pro
claimed. The cerements of error are
cast off and lie in the open sepulcher.
and with them are the broken shackies
and rendered fetters.
X
The display of Easter cards that have
become AS much of feature of the re-
llglous festival season as the Christmas
holidays is more lavish this year than
ever before. Not many new striking de.
signs are to be seen, but the shops given
TO that sort Of thing have filled their win
dowS with variety that is calculated to
fit any financial possibility, from the
humble nickel to the naughty gold eagle
The beauty of the offerings only to be
attained by the latter coin is beyoud
question, but there are plenty of charm.
ing things in the smaller and more mod
est things that can happily fulfill their
mission as a token of remembrance and
regard.
Back of the happiness of the season at
Easter lies the hope of the soul, the aug.
menting certainty with which man an.
swers this question. 1t is one of the
Oldest OF all questions. In the morning
glow Of time, by the fields of Egypt and
the plains of Chaldea, men sought TO
solve the mystery. The Indian talked
OF hunting grounds. and the man of bns.
mess in Chicago and London drops his
wondering whether he will have any part
Of knowledge in the life that will go on
when he is gone.
The custom OF putting on new clothes
for Easter is very ancient and is COM
mon TO the great festivals of all religions.
On the central feast Of the Moslem year
it is considered absolutely necessary for
every man and woman to wear new
clothes. The Easter dress and the
Easter hat of modern times, SO widely
advertised by our city merchants are
therefore not in any way an incongruity
but emphasize the spirit of the day quite
as much as The Easter egg, which is sup
posed to typify the germ Of resurrec-
ton of life.
Easter is movable festival. It is
always the first Sunday after the full
moon which happens upon or next after
the twenty-frst day of March; and if the
full moon happens upon aSunday, Easter
day is the Sunday following. This year it
comes on April 18th.
Easter morning signifies forever that our
best ideal, even though slain and buried
by the enemies Of all goodness, cannot
be kept in the grave. Cruelty truth on
Calvary, and wound it to death; place it
in the strongest of sepulchers. and set
seal of stone and Truth will rise again
1t is the history of every Great Cause of
Goodness-hrst crucifixion, after being
misunderstood and mistreated; then en-
tombment; then resurrection. The story
of Jesus death and resurrection is the
perennial symbol of these things.
The word Easter is almost Synouy-
nous with happiness, but happiest of
all are those who have the Easter vision,
which is the vision Of living Christ.
Easter day is the celebration of the res
was dead and is alive for evermore.
That is the old, yet ever new, the prec-
ious Easter truth, living truth, living
Christ to give neville through the hope
of Immortality. Where is the sting of
death or the victory of the grave, with
the expectation ofa perfect world beyond?
Easter is the symbol of life. To make
room for the life more abundant, there
must be death of the life insufficient,
a death of the old desires, ambitions and
aims which are unworthy. Each year
should bring fresh resurrection in our
lives death Of the old life, poor and
mean, a resurrection to the new life, un-
selfish and hallowed
This old world of ours needs more
Easter cheer. 1t needs to realize that the
risen Christ and the empty tomb have
for the whole race grander and higher
significance than any other event since
time began. 1t needs to feel that the de-
feat of King Death and the triumph of
King Jesus over the grave, have thrown
open the gates of life and happiness to
all who will enter therein.
>
Because Christ lives, we shall live
This is the JOY of Easter, and this is why
when Lent is over and winter is past and
spring has returned, Christian life now
reaches its highest water mark on the
shores OF time in an exultant alleluia that
reveberates around the globe.