Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1924-04-10

freedom, yet with fidelity Of spirit upon the SALIVA
fiesta dies" This hymn, by Venantius Fortunatus
(died 609) is even earlier than the one by John
of Damascus, and in Ellertons version fully as in
spring.
The celebration of Easter comes easy for the
average man and woman. And not all who cele-
brate 1t do their celebrating in church with re-
ugious rites For the celebration of the coming of
spring is as old as the human race The religious
observances as established by the churches, ere
comparatively modern. Christianity took the
pagan spring celebrations of the ancient world and
remodeled them which was not only wise but
easy.
From the beginning of time man has rejoiced at
the turn Of the year, when the sun began to come
back to him. The winter, of course, time
of discomfort, of food scarcity Of restricted actv
tiles. With the frightening days, softer airs and
the sprnging up of the green things, man took on
fresh courage and began anew. 1t If small
der that practically all the peoples OF the ancient
world were szvl-worshipers During the winter,
man may have been likely to say with Eccesates:
One generation passeth away. and another gem
GRAFTON cometh
The sun also ariseth and the sun goeth down.
and hasteth to his place where he arose.
The wind goeth toward the south and turneth
into the north: it whirleth about continually.
All the rivers run into the sea; the sea Is not
fulI unto the place from whence the rivers come.
thither they return again. All things are full of
labor; cannot utter it.
feels q sort OF physical resurrection in himself
II have risen from world of cold and of gloom
and of dead things to world of warmth and Of
light and Of live things. my strength
with the spring. Now for another try with for
tune" So says voice within him. And
rejoices with the coming of spring and celebrates
his Easter with or without religious rites.
The shroud of winter melts into the past,
Ana at them snisr reiuyenafed d. spring pi returns.
For this is Natures way
At Easter when the woods and gardens wake
And verdure every knoll,
The fresh, young voice of Springtime speaks and
so is it with the soul"
Moreover, deep in the heart of man is planted
the wish for Immortality and the hope of it. And
at Easter this wish and this hope blossom anew
future life is matter of faith rather than of
scientific proof If it is vain hope it is strange
that the faith should be so universal and
fdent as Tennyson puts it.
Thou wilt not leave in the dust;
Thou madest man, he knows not why,
He thinks he not made to die;
And thou hast made him. Thou art just
Some of us hope for future life because of
our dread of separation from those we love. It'll
death doth us part" runs the beautiful marriage
servfce-and in this age of divorce the
words are no empty phrase. And when those
love have already gone before faith in world to
come is comfort, If not an antidote for grief.
When Easter comes we kneel beside
Our graves, where lies such precious dust,
And say while strewing fragrant flowers
Because the Christ arose, We must!
This Easter there many whose thoughts will
turn to graves ''Over There" where rest our sol
der dead of the World war.
Marys, weeping in stricken lands!
Your pleading voices cry, Where is he laid,
The young, the strong, the brave, he who obeyed
His countrys call. went forth at her commands"
But ask It not-he is not where ne fell
And seek him not among unnumbered dead
Whose dust is marked-a above each head
He may stand close beside thee, who can tell?