Jasper County Democrat, Volume 5, Number 52, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 April 1903 — Page 2

THE ORIGIN OF EASTER.

OSTERA, THE PAGAN GODDESS OF EASTER.

EASTERTIDE, the oldest church festival, conics down to us from the ancient Hebrews. With them, however, the time was not associated with the death and resurrection of Christ, but with the season of the year when the earth puts forth Its freshest blossoms and the revivification of nature—the springing forth of life In the spring. It Is from this that the Easter egg custom springs, and centuries ago, even before the birth of Christ, colored eggs woro given and received by celebrants of the feast. The egg for all time has been regarded as symbolical of the spring, when the earth receives from nature Its new life. Not only the ancient Hebrews, hut the nnclcnt Persians, employed the colored eggs In their celebrations of the feast of the solar new year. In March. Tho fact that the Anglo-Saxon name of April was Estermonath Induces some to believe that Easter Is of pure Saxon origin, but Germany, where the month Is called Ostermonatli, seems to have a prior claim upon the word. With the Hebrews the festival was called Pasch, and the name still lire*, jvlth slight alterations, among many nations. The French call the festival Paques; the Dutch term It Paschen, the Danes Paaske, and the Swedes Pask. In the early days of Christianity the Influence of the Jewish Pasch upon the holy day commemorating the slaying of Christ and His resurrection was such that It created many bitter dissensions between the Western and Eastern churches. Finally tho discussions assumed such a threatening aspect that Polycrates, Bishop of Ephesus, appealed to Victor, Bishop of Rome, asking for a general council to decide the much-vexed question. Accordingly, councils met In all the countries, as well as at Rome, but, for visions of harmony, they could not agree. They finally decided to recognize the day as their respective fathers before them had done, and no sect should censure the other for a difference of opinion. Many warm and even bitter discussions still continued on the subject of Easter celebrations, and It finally led to the great Emperor, Constantine, In t 26, lssubig an order for the dispute to be settled by the Council of Nice. It was the momentous theme of the day. In obedience to royal command, 318 bishops and some 2,000 Inferior clerics assembled at Nice In Bltbynla. The first sessions met In the church, and os the council continued Its work the place of meeting was transferred to the Imperial palace, where special apartments wero reserved for this august body. The main trouble was between the Jewish Christians and the Gentile Christians. On the fourteenth day of the first lunar mouth tho Jews observed with , all the solemnity and regard for the Mosaic law the Feast of the Passover; • thus they celebrated the death of Christ as represented by tbe Paschal (Lamb. The first Sabbath after tbe fourteenth day of tho March moon the Osnttls Christians celebrated with Joyous religious services the resurrec- ' tlon of Christ. Neither sect would recognize the other’s festive day, and the Council of Nice was greatly perplexed how best to please all parties. After continuing their debates, pro and eon, for several months, the ecclesiastical dignitaries announced tlint the bitterly waged war of dispute was settled. Easter Day was for all time to be the first Sabbath Immediately following the fourteenth day of the March moon. By this arrangement the world may celebrate Easter. Justly called the ‘‘Queen of Festivals,” as early as March 22, and again It may not arrive until April 21k when nearly the entire earth Is fragrant with spring buds and blossoms. The word Easter Is derived from n Pagan goddess of the early Teutons called Ostera. The.Germnn word for Easter Is Ostern, but some philologists maintain that both the Gcrmnn and English words come from the ajiclent Saxon word Oster, or Osten, meaning “rising.” Ostera, the German goddess was credited with being tho personification of (ho morning, and of the East! and also of the opening year. Ostora was worshiped very generally in northern Germany, and It Is behoved that the fame of the goddess spread to England, where the Saxons Joined In worshiping her. Until the beginning of the present century court was paid to Ostera by the kindling of great bonfires and In other wnys, and even to-day In some of the remote districts where many superstitious beliefs are treasured by tho peasantry the fame of Ostera still lives.

Nell’s Easter Embroidery

WHAT a magnificent piece of embroidery, Nell! I’ll give you S2O for It," mid Angelu White, ■a aha bounded Into the room where Nellie Vnnce *at In a tangle of white nDd Eld and green silk floss, busily working liter lilies upon an Immense square of snowy white linen. And truly, though Angela was n connoisseur in nrt ncedlowrork, the piece of work In question might have evoked a like exclamation one less enthusiastic; for Nellie ,waa an expert needlewoman, and long practice, nddrd to an aijstlc tempera- • Mat, bad made her a past mistress of fthe art of embroidery. The llliee shone wttb a satiny luster ngalnat the dull background of the linen and the delicate sreen of the leaves, with their perfect {•tending, stood out In beautiful oontrast, AriMe a Greek border In dull pink and .gold completed the effect. '! "Thanks, Angela,” said Nellie, "but 1 4o aot cart to aell It." , “Yoa silly goose T* responded Angela, P«at think what you could buy with

$2Ol You could get a handsome spring coat, or the swellest kind of a hat for Easter. Ilefore I’d wear out my eyes and patience for nothing over such a glorious piece of work as that, to hang over a church pulpit! Come, I must have that for an Easter gift to Aunt Mary, In Naw York. I’ll give you $25 If necessary." But Nellis was obdurate. She had thought and plnnned and dreamed too long about her Easter gift to the church to give it up In a moment She was not rich like her cousin Angela, and even the materials for the scarf had cost no small sacrifice, but site was proud of her talent. This much she could and would do, nnd though she had lu common with the other girls her share of vanity nnd love of finery she resolutely put away from her all thoughts of accepting the money for herself, although she recognized fully how hard It would be to wear her old clothes while the other girls shone resplendent In their new spring outfits. Days passed on, and the last etltch was lovingly set In tho altar cloth, which, wrapped in pink tisane paper, was laid carefully away In Nellle'a bureau drawer. On ths Saturday before Easter as she was paslng through tha kitchen ahe found

Bridget, the washerwoman, In tears. “Why, what Is the matter, Bridget!" ahe kindly inquired. “Are you In any trouble?” “Oh, had luck to the day I iver was Dm), Miss Nellie,” cried Bridget, bunting into loud sobs, “and shure I don’t know why it’s nfther livin’ I am. Wld me man Tint down wld the rheumatism and five childher to clothe and feed, and only me Uvo poor hands to deplnd upon, and the rrat due last week, and me widout a dollar in me pocket, and the landlord thritenin’ to turn us out this blissid day If it’s nett paid. Och, honel Och, honel” and the poor woman covered her face with her hands and sobbed pitifully. “Who is your landlord, Bridget?” “Deacon Green, miss.”' “And what is the rent?” “Tin dollars, miss," wailed Bridget. "Oh, the Blissid Vargin, and how am I to git tin dollars betwixt now and tomorry night? And the childher wid no breakfast.” It was only a moment that Nellie hesitated. Straight to her room she went, and taking from the drawer the precious pink parcel she walked swiftly to her cousin Angela’s home. "I’ve concluded to accept your offer, Angle,” she said, as she threw it into her lap. “Thought you’d come to your senses,” said Angela. “Say, if you want a hat go down to Stewart’s and get that gray chiffon with the violets. It’s a perfect dream!” Nellie almost sobbed ns she hurried back toward home, her purse enriched be $25. She made straight for Deacon Green’s. “I’ve come to pay Mrs. O’Leary’s rent, Deacon,” said she. “Will you please give me receipt?” The deacon looked somewhat abashed, and muttering something apologetic about “heavy expenses and hard times,” made out the receipt which Nellie accepted, and thanking him hurried on to the nearest grocery, where she. ordered a bill of groceries to be delivered at Tin! O’Leary’s that cause dthe clerk to open his eyes in mild astonishment. She reserved $5 of tho money for n final call, which she paid to their own family physician, who, after listening to Nellie's story, promised to look after Tim until he was able to go to work again. Eight people were happy tli.it night, and as Nellie stopped at the O’Leary’s next morning on her way to church and saw the children’s happy faces and heard the heartfelt thanks of the honest woman and her helpless husband already better from the little encouragement that had brightened their apparently hopeless prospects, she was more than- repaid for her sacrifice. Her cousin Angela's look of astonishment and disgust' ns she entered the church—posing airily In her pew arrayed in an Imported gown and artistic hat, had no terrors for her, and as tho beautiful notes of tbe Easter anthem rose and swelled around her and she inhaled the perfume of the iiiieg which drifted

“I ACCEPT YOUR OFFER, ANGIE.”

tot her from the altar, she bowed hes head uypn her hands in silent prayer at peace with all the world.—Cincinnati Enquirer.

The White Lily a Symbol.

Of the many species of lilies grown throughout the world the white lily of the Orient has the oldest history as a cultivated flower. Its origin is supposed to be in China, but long before the day# when annalists took cognizance of th# cultivation of flowers it was commoq throughout western Asia and Greece. It is the lily generally referred to in th# Hebrew Scriptures, although commentators say that “the lilies of the field" spoken of by Jesus in tbe cermon oa the mount were tho red anemones, with which all the hills of Galilee are dotted In the spring. In heathen Asia the whit# lily was the emblem of purity. Th# Greeks had a myth that it sprang froni the milk of Hera, queen of the gods, with whom the Roman Juno was afterward identified. The Greeks also held the lily to be tho highest type of purity. In th# enrly centuries of the Christian era th# new religion mado this idea a little mor# sublime, and the lily became the symbol of heavenly purity. Thus the lily is fittingly associated with the Easter ccr# monies.—Pittsburg Dispatch.

Symbol of the Easter Egg.

When the nntlons of the west, or Europe, wero converted to Christianity, th* sentiment of the egg was universally accepted ns a suggestive symbol of thelf faith In tho risen Savior, nnd it has ever since remained tho most fuvored figure of the Easter festivities all over the continent The children, who rule the heart and home of mankind, are doubtless responsible for the keeping alive of this old custom, for they love nnd demand the visit of the rabbit, with his nest of beautiful eggs, on the glad Easter morn, just ns they love and long for the coming of dear Santa on Christmas eve.

“Easter In Early England.

Tho Saxons nnd Anglos celebrated the time as sacred to tho Goddess Ostara, nnd some part of her worship, taken over by the more austere Christians, survives still In the springtime festivals, especially 'in the countries of northern Europe, For a long time tho Christian Easter was an eight-day thanksgiving, approximating the time devoted by tho pagana to their celebration. It wns afterward cut down to three day* then to two nnd finally dwindled to a single day, commemorative of tha resurrection. A Inugb, to be Joyous, must flow from a Joyous heart, for without kindness there can be no true Joy.—Carlyle. There Is no tyrant l'ke custom, and no freedom where Its ed'ets are not resitted.—Bovee.

POLITICS OF THE DAY

United States Treasury Surplus. It is well to go slow in believing what you read in Republican newspapers about political matters. The audacity and mendacity of tbe statements made by them are beyond belief and yet many good, honest souls are fooled by their utterances. One of the late announcements is that “tbe vaults of the United States Treasury are crammed with hundreds of millions of dollars.” This extravagant statement was made to deceive those who read It into believing that Uncle Sam has an overflowing treasury, and that enormous appropriations are therefore excusable. Now the fact.} are that the surplus in the United States Treasury on March 10 was only $221,903,301; of this there Is deposited In the national banks $150,373,219, which leaves an apparent available balance s os $71,530,151. Of this balance, however, It is considered necessary by the Secretary of the Treasury to keep on hand fifty millions to draw on for current expenditures, and to he prepared for emergencies. The balmce is further depleted by about tventy millions being composed of fractional silver and other money of small

Beneath the Feet of the Captains of Industry Are the Galley Slaves of Labor. How Long Will They Propel to World Conquest the War Galley of the Trusts Unrecognized?—Denver News.

denominations, that could not be used for the payment of drafts on the Treasury. It will thus be seen that all the surplus available consists of the fifty million which Is held to draw on for current expenditures. As the receipts of the government exceed the expenditures about three million dollars a month, the above named balance will be somewhat added to by June 30, tho last day of the fiscal year. After that date the Increased appropriations made by Congress may extinguish any' excess and the receipts aud expenditures will be about equal. The Secretary of the Treasury Is now planning how to provide the $50,000,000 to make the payment to the French company and to Colombia for the Panama Canal, and It Is probable that more bonds will have to be Issued to meet that payment. The one hundred and fifty million deposited with the banks Is not available, although the Treasury is receiving no interest thereon. It is true that this large sum Is at the call of the Treasury, but the financial extremity in which the Wall street banks have placed themselves, by loaning this deposit and their other funds on stocks nnd bonds, that, In many Instances cannot be Bold for enough to redeem the lonns. If this enormous amount of securities wero sold In the open market, It would preclpltato a disastrous panic on Wall street, and make It Impossible for Secretary Shaw to demaud the return of tho money or even a part of It. In fact. Wall street Is already urging that more money from the Treasury be poured Into Its lap nnd the financial organs of Wall street are calling upon Secretary Shaw to anticipate the payment of interest on government bonds and buy bonds enough In the open market to ease the Wall street distress. Secretary Shaw announces that he will do all and everything possible to help Wall street nnd he may go as far as he did last full and accept municipal bonds to replace the United States bonds held as security for the $150,000,000 he and his predecessor have so kindly loaned Wall street without charging any Interest. Being blest with a complacent administration and Secretary of the Treasury, Wall street ,Ims launched Into speculation In an amount so fabulous that all past experience and records are broken. The banks have participated In the profits of this "boom,” but most of the business being done on margin, the load they carry Is proving top heavy nnd the Treasury Is expected to lighten It by further advances. If the Treasury was so “crammed with hundreds of millions of dollars,” as the Republican,, newspapers are saying It Is, there Is no doubt that President Roosevelt and bis Secretary of the Treasury would quickly find a way to loan It to Wall street and relieve the panicky feeling.

The success of the Republican administration depends on the continuation of the Wall street “boom” for their whole political argument is “let well enough alone.” The reckless way in which the Republican administration has loaning and appropriating money is hound before long to bring disaster on the financial centers and it behooves those who are Interested in stock speculation to act accordingly. * Curbing the Trusts. Attorney-General Knox should soon be able -to make a good showing against the trusts as he has all the money and assistance he asked for. He has now two Assistant Attorney Generals and a corps of law clerks and $300,000 to spend to put the machinery In motion. Any ordinary lawyer with this money and the trained assistants that Knox now has would make the trust fur fly, hut as Knox did not take advantage of the criminal section of the Interstate commerce law before it was repeal.ed by Congress at its late session, he may not he very active in pushing the civil sections against the trusts. There Is one hope for the peo-

pie, through tlie ambition of President Roosevelt to succeed himself, nnd he can hardly expect to he nominated and elected President unless he spurs on Knox to do something, or change# him for a more thorough going trust buster. It is over a year before the people will be selecting their delegates to attend the national conventions, and they will expect at least some of the bad trusts to be brought up with a round turn by that time, or there will he opposition to the continuation of a do nothing »_3ministration. The trouble with the honest Republican voter is, he hardly knows who would he nny more active against tho trusts among all the leaders of his party. “Head Between the Lines."

An Extinct Species of ],iur. There yet remain a few men,- with consciences sufficiently tough qnd elastic, who continue to tell us of tho “economies of trust production,” the “cheapening cost of goods” aud the "blessings to mankind” coming from trusts and combinations; but their number Is rapidly growing smnllor, and soon this species of liar will be extinct Not that there will not always be an ample supply of smart lawyers nnd pseudo professors willing, for a fair consideration, to serve tho trusts, but simply that the facts are so directly and strikingly against their clulms that It will no longer pay the trusts to employ economic shysters to tell the people that white Is black. With prices higher than ever before, the handicap on the pro-trust liar Is too great to be overcome.

Good Exercise.

“You needn’t tell me,” nveraed Miss Batchgurl, "that golf Isn’t good exercise. It makes the young men so strong In the arms that—that you can scarcely breathe.”—Chicago Tribune.

Opportunities IHhe South. No portion of the United States has made greater progress in the past year pr two than the South. Northern and foreign capital is rapidly invading that section, finding profitable investment in the various industries and factories that are being rapidly developed and built. The great influx of settlers is creating an* increased demand for lands of all kinds, and prices are gradually advancing, as they will for years to come. Work is plentiful and poverty practically unknown. Alabama is supplying coal and -iron to all tbe world. More money can be made and with less labor in the raising of small fruits and berries and in truck patching along the Gulf Coast than in any other state in the Union. Strawberries from Alabama reach Northern markets before those from the states in the, southeast. Cattle cqn be raised with great profit, there being millions of acres of cheap range lands. If you are interested in the south and its resources and desire information on any subject, address G. A. PARK, General Industrial and Immigration Agent, '.OUI3VILLE 8 NASHVILLE RAILROAD, LOUISVILLE, KY.

lifliiiiiiiiiiiiiim e)) O»C*CO-hMWPons t-feusviut ftmwAY " '■ ■ • Chicago to the Northwest, Indianapolis, Cincinnati and the South, Louisville, and French Lick Springs. Rensselaer Time-Table, In Effect June 29, 1902. South Bound. No. s—Louisville Mail, (daily) 10:55 a. in No. 33—Indianapolis Mail, (daily).. 2:»lp. m* No. 39— Milk nccomm., (daily ) 6:15 p. in. No. 3—Louisville Express, (daily).. 11:25 p. m•No. 45—Local freight 2:40p. in"o.31 —Fast Mai 1....... 4:43 a. na North Bound. o. 4—Mail, (daily) 4:30 a.m. o. 40—Milk accomm., (daily) 7:31a.m. 'o. 32—Fast Mail, (daily) 9:55 a.m. !o. 6—Mail and Express, (daily)... 3:30p.m. No. 30—Cin.to Chicago Ves. Mail.. 6:32p. m. tNo. 38—Cin. to Chicago 2:57 p.m. •No. 46—Local freight 9:55 a.m. •DaUy except Sunday. tSunaay only. « Hammond has been made a regular stoD for No. 30. No. 32 and 33 now stop at Cedar Lake. Frank J. Reed, G. P. A., TT. H. McDoel, President and Gen. M’g'r, Chas. H. Rockwell, Traffic M’g’r, CHICAGO. W. H. Beam, Agent. Rensselaer.

CITY OFFICERS. Mayor J. H. S. Ellia Marshal Mel Abbott Clerk Charles Morlan Treasurer James H. Chapman Attorney Geo. A. Williams Civil Engineer , J.C. Thrawls Tire Chief C. B. Steward COUNCILMEN. Ist ward .Henry Wood, Fred Phillips Id ward W. S. Parks, B. F. Ferguson 8d ward J. C. McColly, Peter Wasson COUNTY OFFICERS. Clerk John F, Major Sheriff Abram G. Hardy Auditor W.C. Babcock Treasurer R. A. Parkison. Recorder Robert B. Porter Surveyor Myrt B. Price Coroner Jennings Wright Supt. Public Schools Louis H. Hamilton Assessor Joint R. Phillips COMMISSIONERS. Ist District Abraham Halleck 2nd District Frederick Waymire Brd District Charles T. Denham Commissioners’ court—First Monday of eaoh month. COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION. TRUSTEES. TOWNSHIPS. Joseph Stewart Hanging Grove John Ryan Gillum Lewis bltrier Walker Ellas Arnold Barkley Charles M. Blue Marion John Bill Jordan Geo. M. Wiloox Newton S. L. Luce Keener Thomas F. Maloney Kankakee Stephen D. Clark Wheuttteld Albert J. 8e110w5....,, Carpenter William T. Smith Alilroy Barney D. Comer Union Louis H. Hamilton. Co. Supt Reusseleer G. K. Hollingsworth Rensselaer George Besse.... Remington Geo. O. Stembel Wheatfield JUDICIAL. Circuit Judge Charles W. Hanley Prosecuting attorney John D. Sink Terms of Court.—Second Monday in February, April, September and November. REVIVO restores vitality the of Me. anziAT PROXOB HYIMIIPT produces the above results In 30 days. It acts powerfully and quickly. Cores when all others falL Young men will regain their lost manhood, end old men will recover their youthful vigor by using REVIVO. It quickly and sorely reetoree Nervousness. Lost Vitality. Impotency. Nightly Emleelons. Loet Power, Falling Memory, Wasting Diseases, and ell effects of self-abuse or exceesand Indiscretion, which unOts one for study, buelnose or marriage. II not only cures by starting at tho seat of disease, but Is s great nerve tonic and blood builder, bringing bock the pink glow to pale cheeks and restoring the Are of youth. It wards off Insanity and Consumption. Insist on having REVIVO. no ether. It con be carried In vest pocket. By mall, ■LOO per package, or six for •6.00, with a post rive written guarantee to cure or rsnnd the money. Advloe and circular froe. Address ROYAL MEDICINE CO., ,6 cm°icaqo jl^ - ' For sale iu Rensselaer by J, A. Larah druggist. An armful of old papers for a niokel at The Democrat office.