The Ely miner., 1934-03-30

of the earth blossomng forth under the warm
rays of the sun in the spring, both closely akin
to the general idea of resurrection Since the
resurrection of Christ occurred In the spring,
it is easy to see how the symbols of the egg and
all revived life in the springtime came to be
associated with this event in the history of
Christianity. The egg as a symbol was taken
over by the Hebrews as emblem of their de-
livery from bondage and next the early Christ
fans took it over as their symbol of the resur-
rection.
Mention of the Hebrews makes appropriate at
this point comment on the fact that the fes-
tival now known as Easter was celebrated by
ancient Israel as the Passover for many GEN.
turies before the birth of Jesus Christ 1t
based upon the events which took place when
the Hebrews were saved from the destruction
which was visited upon the Egyptians, as given
in Exodus II :27. The first Christians being
in the main Jews continued for long time
to observe the Passover as well as other ancient
ceremonies. But gradually these early followers
of the cross began to substitute the Christ for
the paschal lamb of Israel in the Passover cere-
MONIES
Eventually there arose a difference of opinion
between the Christians of Hebrew descent and
those of Gentle descent to the time when
these ceremonies should be celebrated Those
of Hebrew descent declared that the day of the
death of Jesus should be the date Of the ending
ways on the fourteenth day of the moon in
the evening. Therefore the Easter festival, which
followed, might fall any day of the week.
Those of Gentle descent, however wanted the
first day of the week. Sunday to be the first
day of the resurrection festival Thus the Friday
preceding would be observed as the date of the
crucifxion without paying any attention to the
day of the month, the fast continuing until mid
night of Saturday.
For 10 ltv hptxu thp vhric CT
ians of Jewish descent and those of Gentle
descent continued Not being able to decide the
recurrence of Easter, the council of the early
Christian church finally appealed to the astron-
omers In Alexandria. Egypt, for aid. However,
the scientists were not of much assistance, for
they had no lunar tables such as we now have
computed by master mathematicians. They at
tempted to make rules, but the variations Of the
full moon in reference to the year would not
cause Easter to fall on Sunday any more than
any other day. All wanted 1t to come Sunday,
so each nation celebrated to suit itself so that
1t would come on that day. Thus In A. D. 3S7
the Gauls celebrated Easter on March 21, in
Italy it fell April 1S, and in Egypt 1t fell on
April 25.
Eventually the selection of certain Sunday
definitely fixed in the Sixth century A d.
1t was designated as the Sunday between the
fifteenth and twenty-first days of the moon in the
first month of the Jewish lunar years. 1t was
directed that the computation should be made
according to the tables of victorius of Acqui-
taine, introduced in 457 A. d. Because of the
fact that Britain had ceased to be part of the
Roman empire the Sixth century decree did not
affect the British church at first and 1t con-
tnued to calculate Easter a basis previously
approved at Rome. The matter was finally dis
posed of at synod held at Whtby in Yorkshire
In 664 A. D., after which the clergy of the British
Isles conformed to the general practice of the
western church.
Accordingly Easter is observed by both
the Roman Catholic and Protestant churches on
the first Sunday after the full moon Tor four
teenth day of the moon) or next after March
21. So it cannot be earlier than March % nor
later than April 25 Thus it is possible for the
astronomers and mathematcians to tell In ad-
vance on what dates Easter will come each year
and they are now known for more than a century
In advance. Thus. too. we know how often it Is
that young America will be confronted with the
problem that confronts them this year-that of
celebrating on the same day two occasions which
are at the opposite poles in character ever
though they trace back to a similar origin
by Western Nswspapsr Union.