The Benson signal., 1919-04-12

North America Christians, 1O27OO,OOO; other
faiths, 10,285,OOO; total 112 935,OOO
South Observation-Disclosures, 36.6OOOOO; other
faiths, 100000; total, 38OOO,OOO
Oceanica-C Christians, 12,7O9OOO other faiths
42,929OO0; total, 55,625,OOO.
1t may safely be said that the allied Christian
nations will celebrate Easter this year with un-
usual solemnty. 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 alsL it 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 well under
way. Here is a bit of description from letter
written from Kief in 1918:
easter is the greatest festival of all the year;
infinitely than Christmas At II O'Clock
we drove out to the Larva, the oldest monastery
and the richest in all Russia. Can you imagine
:. huge courtyard surrounded by 4O-foot wall and
immense covered gateway, groups of large white
buildings all ablaze with light, with the for
backgrounds the center building the church.
doors open, the inside lighted by thousand
dies and the chanting Of 15O0 priests. In the
open courtyard thousands of soldiers with
uncovered heads, each bearing q lighted candle
To the right stands the bell tower, a wonderful
structure over 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
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-and also PrOtestants. Doubtless there
will be many visitors this Easter season. Easter
Sunday is the elimination Of the ceremonies The
pope himself oficiates at high 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
probably be noteworthy. 1t is the first Easter in
seven consecutive centuries which finds the holy
citv permanently freed from the msrule of the
Moslem Mohammedan misrule and oppression
had their beginning 13 centuries ago, but the Cru
saders held possession Of the city twce-once
under Godfrey of BOuillOn (1099-1187) and again
under Frederick II (1229-1244). The British un-
der General Allenby, in possession at Easter
of 1913 but fighting going on in all the
rounding region and the fate of the city still
Mn the balance.
In normal times business in Jerusalem comes to
a ston at the Easter and religious cere
monial is the dominating interest. 1t is
sort of fourfold celebration. The Moham-
tnedans contribute by holding pilgrimage to the
4 tomb of Moses The Jews celebrate the passover