Rockingham post-dispatch. [volume] (Rockingham, N.C.) 1917-1965, 1919-04-17

North NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. 1Oo,7OOOOO: other
faiths, 1O,2S5,OOO; total. 112,935OO0.
South Observation-Disclosures 366OO,OO0; other
Mathis, l,4OOO0O; total, 3S,OOOOO0.
y Oceanica-C Christians, 12.7O9.OOO; other faiths,
4.,92o,OO0; total, 55625,OOO
\ 1t may safely be said that the allied Christian
nations will celebrate Easter this year with I'M
usual solemnity. The life immortal is a copfort-
ing belief just now, when the world has been
brought face to face with death by the great war
as never before. Probably also 1t will be cele-
brated as usual In Germany, for the Germans make
much ado over 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 as usual in many parts Of Russia. al
though the anarchist disorders were well under
way. Here IL bit Of description from letter
written frGi4 tlicf in 1915
Easter is the greatest festival of all the year.
infinitely more so than Christmas At IL o'clock
we drove out TO the 'Larva, the oldest monastery
and the richest in all Russia. Can you imagine
huge courtyard surrounded by a 40-foot walt and
immense covered gateway, groups of large white
buildings all ablaze with light, with the for
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 were thousands of soldiers with
uncovered heads. each bearing lighted candle.
To the right stands the bell tower wonderful
structure over 200 feet high At the stroke Of u
the most wonderful bells In Russia peal forth as
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 so many foreigners as 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 also Protestants. Doubtless tlsere
win be many visitors this Easter season. Easter
Sunday Is the elimination Of the ceremonies The
pope himself dictates 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.
TSe celebration of this Easter liz Jerusalem will
probably be noteworthy. It Is the first Easter in
seven consecutive centuries which finds the holy
\ city permanently freed from the mlsrule Of the
: Moslem BIoliammedan misrule and oppression
had their beginning ID centuries ago. but the Cru
saders held possession of the city twice-once
rnder Godfrey Of Bouilion (1O90-11S7) and again
under Frederick III 291244). The British. I'm
der General Alienby. were In possession at Easter
81 1918. but lighting was going on In all the sur
rounding region and the fate Of the city was stil
III the balance
Ia noruiai times business IN Jerusalem comes u
j stop 1t the Faster season and religious cere
snonial Il ire lomnitng interest. II Is 1
sort ~ fo1rfoid celebration. The Moham
p,ejans contribute BY holding apilgrIniage ID TIKI
fonab ~ Noses. me Jeyvs celebrate the passover