Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 35, Number 18, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 31 October 1902 — RELIC OF HEATHENISM. [ARTICLE]

RELIC OF HEATHENISM.

Latter Day Heathens Will Observe the Festival With Modern Rites. Halloween is right at band On the night of Ootober 31, the goblins .and spooks will'perambulate round over the town and ont many “didoes.” . The celebration of All-Hallowed Eve, is of widespread interest, ff “all the world loves a lover/’ it is equally true that all the world of young people is consumed with anxiety to know who that lover is to be. On this eventful night great secrets may be unearthed by the curious. Supernatural influences prevail; spirits issue from the unknown, and sheeted ghosts may “squeak and gibber” if invoked. Properly entreated, the veil of futurity may be rent, and the name and face of the future partner disclosed. Just when this popular supersti tion regarding Hallowe’en took form is a problem, but it is surmised that its origin dates back to pagan days. One of the religious rites of the consisted in keeping lighted throughout the year great fires built on immense stone altars in honor of the Sungod. On the night of October 31 the people assembled in the saored groves, the priests in snow white robes oame before them, and in the midst of absolute silence, solemnly extinguished the fire. New fires were then kindled, upon whioh not unfrequently human saorifioes were offered. Then in the coals and ashes nuts and apples were roasted, and consumed by the worshippers, after whioh each householder betook himself to his own home carrying with him an ember from the alter. JThe new fire lighted in each house was believed to proteot it from peril so long as the flame burned. Gradually the heathen festivals lost his grandeur and assumed a lower character, until the Halloween fire came to be looked upon as a charm against evil spirits.