The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1919-04-18

North Observation-Disclosures, 1902 100000; other
faiths 10,2S5OO0; total, 112,935,000
South Christians, 36,6OO,000; other
faiths 100000; total 3S0Oo,0OO.
Oceanica-Christians, 12,70900o; other faiths,
42,929OO0; total 55,625O 600.
1t may safely be said that the allied Christian
nations will celebrate Easter this year with I'M
usual soemnity. The life immortal is comfort
ing belief just now when the world has been
brought face to face with death by the great war
never before. Probably also it will be cele
brated as usual in Germany for the Germans make
much ado Easter.
Easter in Russia.
Even in distracted Russia Easter will be OBJ
served, for the Greek Catholic church makes much
of the celebration and Easter observance Is part
of the national life Certainly Easter of 1918
observed as usual in many parts of Russia, al
though the anarchist disorders were well under
way. Here is bit of description from a letter
written from Kief in 1918:
Easter is the greatest festival of all the year;
Infinitely than Christmas. At u o'clock
we drove out to the Larva the oldest monastery
and the richest in all Russia. Can you imagine
huge courtyard surrounded by 40-foot wall and
immense covered gateway, groups of large white
buildings all abaze with light, with the snow for
a background the center building the church,
doors open, the inside lighted by thousand can
dies, and the chanting of 1,500 priests. In the
open courtyard thousands of soldiers with
uncovered heads, each bearing a lighted candle.
To the right stands the bell tower, wonderful
structure over 200 feet high At the stroke of II
the most wonderful bells in Russia peal forth as
you have never heard bells in America. Thousands
of voices cry Christ is rsen and the priests come
forth and march around the building"
In the days before the great no festivals in
Europe attracted many foreigners the cele
bration in Rome of the holy week. 1t was not
unusual for more than 10000 visitors to be pres
ent large proportion of them being English and
Americans-and also Protestants. Doubtless there
will be many visitors this Easter season. Easter
Sunday is the elimination of the ceremonies. The
pope himself officiates at high mass in ST. Peters
with the most gorgeous ritual. 1t is after he ex
tends his blessing that the papers containing pray
ers are thrown down from his balcony to be
scrambled for by the congregation.
Jerusalem, the Holy City.
The celebration of this Easter in Jerusalem will
probably be noteworthy. 1t is the first Easter in
seven consecutive centuries which finds the holy
city permanently freed from the misrule of the
Moslem Mohammedan misrYle and oppression
had their beginning 13 centuries ago, but the Cru
saders held possession of the city twice-once
under Godfrey of Bouillon 1099-11S7) and again
under Frederick II (1229-1244). The British, IN
der General Allenby, We're in possession at Easter
of 1918, but fighting going on in all the
rounding region and the fate of the city still
in the balance.
In normal times business in Jerusalem comes to
a stop at the Easter season and religious cere,
moniaI Is the dominating interest. 1t is
sort of fourfold celebration. The Mohanf-
medans contribute by holding pilgrimage to the
tomb of Moses. The Jews celebrate the passover.