OCR Text |
Show EVERGREENS. 1 The use of flowers and green boughs for decorating purposes is almost instinctive in-stinctive in human nature, and there is scarcely any nation, either civilized or savage in which it is not more os less common. The Jews ornamented their synagogues), in their manner during the "feast of Tabernacles in tbe month of Tishri, which is our October, 9 and during this celebration (heir peo- B pie dwelt in tents or arbors made of B the leafy branches of certain treen; the B ancient DruidB and other Celtic na- B lions hung up the mistletoe mid green B branches over their doors to propiti- B ate the woodland spirits, The custom B also prevailed at Rome, particularly B during the Saturnalia when the lto- fl mans ornamented their temples and B dwellings with green boughs. Be- B cause the custom camo from the Pa- B gans several ecclesiastical councils B prohibited the members of the church B from imitating them in the decoration B of their houses, but in process of time B this Pagan custom became part of the B ceremonies of the church itself, and B evergreens are wreathed into the cross and made to symbolize the sacrifice and ; the sufferings of our Saviour H wherever a Christian people live. |