The Elk Mountain pilot., 1919-04-10

North Amertca-Chrstians, 1O27OO.OOO; other
faiths. l0.2S5OO0 total. 112.9S5.OOO
South America-Christians. $4,000 600; other
faiths. 100000: total, 3S.OOO.OOO
Oceanicn-Christians, 127O0,OOO; other faiths.
42O20,O0O; total. b5.825OOO.
Il may safety be said that the allied Christian
nations will celebrate Easter this year with un-
usual solemnity. The life immortal Is a comfort
lug belief just now. when the world has been
brought face to face with death BY the great war
sx never before. Probably also 1t will be eele-
lssNted usual In Germany. for the Germans make
much ado over Easter.
Easter In Russa.
Even IN distracted Russia Easter will be OBJ
served. for the Greek Catholic church makes much
of the celebration and Easter observance is part
~ the national life. Certainly Easter OF 1918
observed ms usual in many parts Of Russia al
though the anarchist disorders were well under
way Here is q bit Of description from q letter
written from Kief In 1918:
Easter Is the greatest festival of nll the year:
Infinitely more so than Christmas At II O'Clock
drove out to the Iarva,' the Oldest monastery
and the richest in all Russia. Can you isBagine
huge courtyard surrounded by a 4O-foot wall and
Immense covered gateway, groups OF large white
buildings all ablaze with light with the snow for
n background; the center building the church.
doors open, the inside lighted by thousand
dies. nnd the chanting of 1.6OO priests. In the
open courtyard were 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 IL
the most wonderful bells In Russia peal forth as
you have 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 the cele-
hrstion in Rome of the holy week. 1t was not
unusual for more than 10000 visitors to be pres
cnt. n large proportion Of them being English and
Amcricans-and also PrOtestants. Doubtless there
will be many visitors this Easter season. Easter
Sunday is the elimination OF the ceremonies The
pope himself Ofhcates 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.
+ Jsrusalen,, 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 misrule and oppression
had their beginning IS centuries ago. but the Cru
sadcrs held possession Of the city twice-once
,nder Godfrey OF Bouillon (1O90-1187 and again
urder Frederick II (l22o1244). The British. un
~, General Alienby. in possession at Easter
os 1914 but fighting going on In all the
-rndtnr region and the fate Of the city was still
In the balance
In normal times business in Jerusalem comes to
. atop at the Easter season and religious cere
,.oo,al IL the dominating interest. 1t Is
.,-+ N fourfoid celebration. The MOham-
,rs.,.os contribute by holding pilgrimage to the
eesnh Of Moses. The Jews celebrate the passover