The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1919-04-11

North America-ChrIstans O2.7OOOOO; other
faiths, 1O.2s5,ooo; total 112935.0OO.
South NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. 36eOO,O0O other
faiths, 14OO.O0O; total, 3SOOO.OOO.
Oceanica-Chrstians 12,7O9OOO other faiths.
AZ $4,000; total 81, ,625 600
1t may safely be said that the allied Christian
nations will celebrate Easter this year with un
usual solemnity. The life immortal Is comfort
ing belief just now, when the world has been
brought face to face with death by the great war
as never before. Probably als. 1t 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 was
observed usual in many parts of Russia, al
though the anarchist disorders were well under
way. Here is a bit of description from 4 letter
written from Kief In 1918:
Easter is the greatest festival of all the year.
Infinitely more so than Christmas. At Il O'Clock
we drove out the Larva,' the Oldest monastery
and the richest in all Russia Can you imagine q
huge courtyard surrounded by 4Ofoot wall and
immense covered gateway groups of large white
buildings all ablaze 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 1900 priests. In the
open courtyard thousands of soldiers with
uncovered heads. each bearing a lighted candle.
To the right stands the bell tower, a wonderful
structure 200 feet high At the stroke Of II
the most wonderful bells In Russia peal forth
you have never heard bells in America Thousands
Of voices cry Christ Is risen. and the priests come
forth and march around the building"
In the days before the great war no festivals In
Europe attracted many foreigners as the cele-
bration in Rome Of the holy week. 1t not
unusual for than 10000 visitors to be pres
ent a 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 officates at high mass in st Peters
with the most gorgeous ritual. 1t is after he
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
seven consecutive centuries which finds the holy
Moslem Mohammedan misrule and oppression
had their beginning 13 centuries ago, but the Cru
.aders held possession Of the city twice-once
under Godfrey Of Bouion uO99-11S7) and again
under Frederick II (12291244) The British, un-
der General Allenby were 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
q stop at the Easter season and religious cere
mopial is the dominating interest It is
sort Of fourfold celebration. The Moham
medans contribute by holding pilgrimage to the
N,uA Of Moses. The Jews celebrate the passover