Democratic Sentinel, Volume 1, Number 20, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 June 1877 — Osculation. [ARTICLE]

Osculation.

Kissing was universally practiced among the early Christians as a part of their religious rites. The first disciples kissed each other at their agapes, or love-feasts, just as the initiated did at the Eleusinian mysteries, in token of brotherhood. In 1397, however, notwithstanding St. Peter’s exhortation, the Council of Carthage forbade all religious kissing between the sexes. Several later sects have at various times sought to bring back the institution of the kiss of peace ; but, though doubtless peculiarly edifying to the young folks, it has been found prudent and necessary to prohibit the xxse and continuance of the same, and to go back to less godly forms of salutation. It still lingers, however, both in the Greek and Roman clixirclies. At the solemnization of matrimony among ourselves, it has for long been an established custom for the bride to be kissed at the conclusion of the ceremony by both the groom and the officiating clergyman—an appropriate and, generally, most satisfactory termination of the marriage rites. This is sometimes followed by a good deal of promiscuoxxs kissing among the relatives and familiar friends of the two contracting parties. Beyond this, we are not aware of ‘‘ kissings” forming any part of our religioxxs observances at the present epoch. The Bible is fxili of kissing, and some passages where it is mentioned are replete with softness and tenderness, while others teem with treachery and revenge. Jacob’s interview with llacliel at the well; Joseph’s reception of his brethren; Moses meeting his father in-law, Jethro; David’s kiss of peace to his erring son Absalom and to his friend Jonathan, and the passionate kisses bestowed on our Savior’s feet by the penitent Magdalene —are a few of the former class ; while Jacob’s kiss, in which he robbed Esaxx of his birthright ; Joab’s treacherous salxxto of Amasa before his murder of the latter; and that dreadfxil one of the traitor Judas—which lias become the type of all treachery—are some of the most remarkable in the last-named category. Wo could pxirsxxe oxxr investigation ad infinitum were wo to confine oxxrselves to the sacred volxxme, bxit enoxigh has been said for our present purpose. , Kissing is, as may be supposed, of freqxient occurrence in Shakspcare, and generally in a contract-sealing sense. We find the expressions, “Press my sign-manual on her rxiby lips,” “Seal it with a kiss,” etc. England, in Sliakspeare’s time, had gone back sadly from the earlier days of reticence—as practised in olden times—when a man wonld as soon have thoxxglit of kissing his wife in his daughter’s presence as we woxxld now think of performing the same grace in church. At the present day kissing is a common mode of salutation among even the men of many nations. We may instance Germans, among whom it is no uncommon sight to find two great bearded and mustached giants kissing each other like a pair of turtle-doves. But the most pleasant—tender, bxxt at the same time perplexing—salute is that bestowed xxpon one by the women of Norway, who, after having pxxt yoxx to bed and tucked you xxp well between the sweet-smelling sheets, bend their fresh, fair faces, and kiss yoxx honestly xxpon the beard, withoixt a shadow even of shame or doubt. When a Czar of Rxxssia dies, his corpse is affectionately kissed, and the same custom is observed with the Jews. When a Jew is dying, his nearest relative kisses him, to receive his last breath —a custom which, wo have already shown, obtained among the ancient Romans ; he is kissed, when dead, as a farewell, and again when carried to the grave. This custom, we learn from scripture, was in vogxie in the days of Jacob, whose corpse was affectionately kissed by Joseph.— Applctom' Journal for July.