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Show aAflfiS do1-th- Della Robbia' "Singing Buys' was carved fur an organ was never placed In posibut loti, tion It Is now on the wall or the old ISurgello Palace, once n prison, now a gallery ot art. In Florence. (Luca Italy n , Jn eyery ape the world haa known Homo bard felt moved to alng Earths pean over winter pone, Her welcome to the spring. t The mysteries of the Easter-thougTo all mitnKlnd belong. No tlma the perfect light hath brought. No race the final song. ht iV Tet art thou blessed, Palestine, Among the lands of earth! For thee a holy light did shine, A glorious song find birth. He Is the worlds, that martyr-sou- l, Divine as heroes are! A beacon, when deaths waves shall roll. The tiallleans star! We deem not that the flesh oercame The grave's obscurity; ' We trust the soul's Immortal flame Hath touched on deity. We will not hall the Christ alone, The solitary way: God doth a thousand prophets own This happy Easter day.' feel their We power -Around ua and above. We learn from springtime bird and flower The truths of llte and love. One with the Christ who conquereth. One in the hope they bring, One In their victory over death, The flrst wild flowers of spring. One with the sermon on the mount The birds sweet melody, from the eternal fount Of Gods own chanty. Then, sing we, for all nature pings! Sing Cnrlst, and bird, and flower! Sing! for the world with gladness ringa And life and love have power! Alexander F. Chamberlain, In the Open Court. yp ) In the great hall, once a prison, Carved In marble, white uml pure. Stand these chorister; a vision That through ages shall endure. In the shadow, saint arid altar From the careless gaze retreat. But these singer never falter. Shut from out the noisy street. Sing, !ng on your exultation, In the old Bareello choir. Far and wide your congregation Clash your cymbal, strike the lyre. for Chi 1st Is risen. Sing Chant the angelic roundelay. Sing! Where once was darkest prleon, Death and sorrow away, Gussle Packard Du Bot. fl.-- Clear-flowi- The Easter Egg j lie w It Came to Be the Symbol of the ji ra Resurrection gmee the time of the ancient rptiaas eggs have been regarded This he symbols of t originated among the subjects c 2io Pharaohs, from their close of the habits of the scarabs, kcred beetle, which buried its ball Jie grave it had made for itself, pie hope, as they thought, of a It never occurred (dy them that the pellets contained which in the fullness of time I brought to maturity by the LthJ of the sun. When the (appeared once more among them, were contented to believe It was loru'V al one they had seen bury If in;the same spot, now brought life again by the sun god. So the (tie was revet enred by them as a d thing, because it gave them of a similar resurrection of their a on fled bodies. uong the ancient Egyptians every ler was compelled to wear a ring, which a scarab, or sacred beetle, The object of this was cngTaved. lahg him valorous in battle, the tb being the symbol of regen-oor resurrection. the Jews the egg was looked as a symbol of the duration of uitimn race, and of their It entered into all ceremonies called mysterious Bl'ptic, and occupied a prominent hmj on the household table dur-ta- o The only paschal season. l.ufl before mourners on return- (jhe home after a fiineral eon il (if eggs and salt, flhols of regeneration and Jn- ii il ility. avoidance with the traditions ierslans, the world was I from one egg in the begin pihe season of the year which nids with the vernal equinox, eh reason eggs are popularly as New Year gifts by the Ierslans. It was from this !! that the northern nations regard the paschal eggs as atUuI of creation, or the re-- ! uj of spring at the vernal her ob-lan- B i n sueces-gefioration- s. hard-boile- IX ( r - the usurped Christianity riles and observances of the (ihe paschal eggs were lu- n f with a new significance, name--i- t of the resurreUlon of Christ p tgus were at first colored red, to the blood shed for the '.ortf of men. i custom idly the Enster-eg' me universal over the world, d ' of people eat their Easter en this great festival day, cell- la remembrance of resurrec it tuily a very few are acquaint-- i (lie origin of the custom. The II c not now painted red only, ) are dyed alt possible bright Also, mottoes are written -hells, in European countries of artist are occupied pre- ! bister-egshells sale. I shills show on theirforoutside of landscapes, figures and - itraits. Imitation eggs are manufactured, which are to be K and which lovers present to I"1 er, having made them more r,B fcy putting In Jewelry, etc. "'in a couple is married at 'a, in Germany, the wedding presented In the shells of ''SM. t of the German cltica band 'an walk through the atreeta ll g i K I- i t the When they stop - In residences they are presented with Easter eggs. In smaller towns ana villages it is the custom for the school children to walk in long processions through the streets, singing the Easter choral, and when they return to the s.hool'jouse they are presented with scores of eggs, which the inhabitants of the place have sent for them in a big basket. Very often when these children pass houses, people come out and join them in the chorus. It is a fashion that all ministers, especially those in the country places, are presented with many eggs by the members of their congregations. These eggs are then given away again by the elergmen to the poor people of the parish. But the greatest festival for children in Germany is the Eiersuehen (seeking for eggs) 'on Easter morning after church service. It can be said as a that there is no tamiiy in the whole of Germany where this 'Eiersuehen does not take place if there are children in the home. The eggs are ail hard boiled, and colored In bright colors. If the weather js good, the mothers hide dozens and dozens of these eggs, putting them in different places in the grass, in bushes and flowers in the garden. If the weather is bad, the parlor is used It is one of for the Eiersuehen. German childrens greatest pleasures to find these eggs, and each one found is welcomed with a loud hur-laVery often there are added eggs made of candy and chocolate. For "grown up young folks, also, egg parties are given, at which "Eler-bu- i ben" takes place. Then girls and boys exchange their eggs they have found, making love to each other. fct Observances During Lent. Theer are many old customs of glv ing or scattering money or bread and cake at some time during Lent. In some places on Palm Sunday cakes were cast from the steeples of parish ehurches to be scrambled for by small boys, to the amusement of the bystanders. Says an old writer: "Then cakes must be caste out of the steeple, (hat all the hoys in the parish must lie scrambling together by the cares, tyl al the parish falleth a laughing." Henry VIII ordered that the carrying of palms should not tie disunitin' ued ,but this was soon left to the people as a voluntary service, and only the more or less secular customs cou netted with it were continued. Young people in certain parts of England even to this day go a palming on the Saturday before Palm Sunday, and in certain rural ehurches of England slips of the willow branches with the willow buds, which the American child calls pUHsce (pusses), are stuck up Easter Sunday. The popular understanding of the determination of Easter la that it la the first Sunday afthr the flrst full moon after the vernal equinox. This, although the theory, must be taken with modification in actual practice, because ecclesiastical dictum fixes the vernal equinox invariably on the Slat of March, though this may not be the astronomical fact; because ibe full moon is fixed at the ltth day and because the beginning of the Pascha! moon Is determined by the table of epacta, which ouly approximate the fact Usually the astronomical and ecclesiastical calculation agree sufil Easter cicntly that the day la the same, but front of, the contrnry haa Jiapktced. . Old Bethlehem, A peal of the big bell in the steeple announces that the doors are open toi thoso who have been waiting in thel dark, and the pews fill rapidly. So aisles and every bit of available space. Members of the congregation even camp on the stairs leading to the pulpit and fill the pastors room in the rear. The altar Is covered with flowers, Easter lilies, palms and azaleas, and the odor of lilies hangs heavy in the big rectangular auditorium as the crowd awaits in silence the coming of the ministers. Outside stand in an orderly mass the .disappointed ones who came too late to gain admittance. At length the three young ministers, dressed entirely in black, mount the platform, the old rich organ bursts out in some classic melody. Then the service begins. The minister with outstretched arms motions the congregation to its feet. The Lord Is risen, he chants with the choir. The I.ord Is risen, indeed! answer the congregation. Then follows a hymn, the music of which Is perhaps by Handel, perhnps by Bach. A choir and a selected chorus, trained and familiar with the Intricate music, lead the singing and many of the members of the congregation Join in, and the trombones help out with their chorus. The music is most Impressive and Illustrates the inherent German love for it which is ore of the characteristics of the Moravian congregation. They love the works of the old masters. None of the lighter rhythmic hymns pleases them, nnd the music to which they sing verses of praise is, in most cases, adapted from some clussic source. It is music which, from It complexity, would be impossible for any other congregation, but the Moravians have been brought up on it. Even the children in the Sunday school have mastered sacred music adapted from' Bach. The ministers follow with readings from the Litany of the Moravians Pennsyl- vanias little Moravian city, swarms with visitors Easter Sunday. Some of the visitors are themselves Moothers are atravians, tracted by curiosity, but all are drawn there to witness or take part in an Easter servico unlike any other In the land. The place of worship is a massive e Il 3nb als during the next two week 1 know you can manage this anthpm." He picked a sheet up from a pile of music and handed it to tho Child, Well pay you well for this," he added, and after Easter engage you of CsX- - Jjljfie dl lily U a song, that swayed permanently," Said Unechoed in the air A murmur from a holy maid Who blent it with her prayer; She crooned above the marget low A melody so pure That while the ages come and go It ever shall endure. glory ol each tender hoe Its gold, and white, and green h as the lave that rises true, AH perfect and serene. The UI7 is a song, made up Of prayers, smiles, and tears, x e jii wj And holds deep in its gtesrpmg cup The worship of the years ike lily b a songtfiat lives Forever and lor aye. And by its beauty holds and give A blessing to the day. stately soog a kingly song A song that shall endure jjThmugb all the years and ages long The song of hope made sure. j ll Organist The Trombones In the Belfry. hich Is aim a creed, and parts of It are chanted by the choir. Two more hymns and the congregation leaves the church. The organ gives forth more glorious music as tho ministers and muslclana take the head of the procession that has formed and then start up the bill to the burying ground where the remainder of the service is held. The crowd which has been standing patiently outside the church. Joins in the procession and moves silently In the gray light of dawn. The Moravians believe that no manr memory should be exalted above another's by the surroundings of his grave, since all men are equal in the the sight of God. So there are no high monuments in the cemetery; only plain rectangular stones laid flat on tin giaves, which are low and In very straight rows. In the center of the graveyard stand the dergynien near them are the choir and the trombone players, and In a Hollow square nronnd them stand nearly fil'd) persons. There the litany is completed, and hymns sre sung agalp. "And keep us In everlasting fellowship with those of our brethren and sibters who, since last Easter day. have entered Into the Joy of their Lord, and with the whole Church triumphant let u rest together In Thy presence from our labors," chants tho minister. Another hymn and the benediction, and the early morning service is over. Such la (lie time honored observance which the Moravians have followed ' for more than a century. v Easter In the Tyrol. Unique In Character and remote from the magnificence of religious demonstration, Is Ihe ancient and picturesque custom which still prevails In the villages of the Tyrol mounIn their national cutbime of tain garments and BethtshMv Moravian CHje;h. lists, trimmed with fresh, child, or by still another that of a mar-lieliving flowers, on this occasion the womsu, but on Easier Sunday Swiss peasants begin at an early hour 'kail tv.e. for the only lime In the on Easter morning to go almut tb In gladness. lane and highways and through the Vr. areluruined window nfter window 'ight Then neighboring town, singing the old Easappear, people begin to appear on the ter anthems, to the accompaniment of si reels, climbing up toward the "lunch their guitar. They linger outside the from the South Bethlehem side or homes of the people In a sort of serwalking dow n from the west. 1 bey ap-p- i enade, and the inmates come out to ar early. If they are wise, fog past the door and Join them in singing vprrivnee shows that though the the ehoiuie. They sre welcomed and chinch scRts 1,2ihi ami allow l.riim to treated with hospitality everywhere, be rrowded within Its door, three and continue on their gentle Journeytimes that mmVr will stand outside ing until far into the night, when nuahli to get in win a the services be- they are accompanied by torch bear era. gin at Ti oclock d broad-brimme- softly. Is dead, sir, finished the Child, the tears rushing to his eyes. Tnats why I had to come here by myself. And you'll let me sing wltbmit money?" My dear boy," the Organist saW, drawing him toward him, "you can give your services if you wish; but would It be wise? All the boys are paid; Its the way many of them get their clothes. Isn't there something you want money for?" Lots, answered the Child wistful But most of "11. i want a song to ly. to-da- y structure situated at the top of a hill, in a commanding position, loom- ing up majestically before one who climbs toward it up one of the steep little hills, of which there are many in Bethlehem. Architecturally u ug simple, with its plain sides and wide approaches, but there is an air of stability about it and Its round, cupolalike steeple seems to dominate the city around it The church is old, but the customs and observances followed by its congregation are far older. They came from the old country with the first founders of Bethlehem, having been handed down from generation to generation with but little alteration and have become hallowed by tradition. Such is the Easter service which fills the church at daybreak every year and leaves thousands, crowded out through lack of accommodations, standing in respectful silence In the streets outside. To outsiders this Easter service is quaint and, in a way, dramatic, but it Is not intended to be so. The Moravians are simply following an old custom, as their forefathers did and as Moravians in Europe still do. The traditional Easter set vice begins In the church al daybreak and is the same, never varying year after an unbeliever, year. It would hut to the Moravian it is doubly impressive because every day during Holy week services have been held in the church prepaiatory to the Easter observance. At 3 oclock in the morning, li'fore a sign of dawn has appeared behind th hills over beyond South Bethlehem, six or eight men gather on a corner near the chinch bearing trombones, and a moment later the instruments blare a joyous rhorus announcing that Easter is dawning. Their notes arouse the chnrchcoers The musicians In the neighborhood. go to another corner and play again, so on through the city they mark the observance. beginning of the The music of the tromlKines is xr to dwellers In Bethlehem. By their notes have the deaths of Moravians been told to the city from the Usually their belfry of the churrh. music Is that of sadness, as by one air they announce the death of an old mnn. by another hvmn the passing of a Said the Child, turning on the Organist two grave eyes looking disproportionately large In Ills small, pale face: Please, do you need any new choir boys? A certain pathos in the cblldlsu face touched the Organists heart, but the irritation of a long, tedious choir practice had not altogether subsided, and there was a touch of it in his voice as he replied: "No, no! Were rushed to death with Easter work. Cant be bothered with a new boy. Anyhow, you're too young." Slowly, without a word tho Child turned away trom the big organ. As ho went down the long aisle the choir master noticed tnat he was slightly His quick ear caught the crippled. sound of a smothered sob. I'll Conye bnck, boy." he called. try your voice, now you re here. If It suits. I'll remember you when we need new voices, The Child came back, the hot blood surging over bis face, and stood with expectant eyes while the Organist ran his fingers over the keys. Hero, take thlB note, he said in a second. A t the Child took It exactly, with a full, rich tone, ho looked at him quickNow strike this, ho said, runly. ning his fingers up and down the scale, "and this." The Organist made no comment, but he asked eagerly: Can you sing a hymn, for Instance?" "Fattier taught me Rock of Ages will that do? With bent head tho Organist listened to tho tiny singer until the last note was reached; then, throwing his arm round him, he exclaimed excitedly: "Why, your voice Is perfect. Harry Grant, one of the choir boya Is sick; you can have his solo on Easter morning!" Not unnaturally, there was a puzzled to fether. ' The Child was duly entered as a chorister on the choirmasters book, and opposite his name were written go the words, Scrviees free. The other boys liked the little fellow. In spite of being a cripple, or perhaps because of it, he was brave and good tempered. They never dreamed of Inflicting on him the tricks generally tried on newcomers Even the roughest boy there would have been the champion of "tho little chorister," as they called him, bad there been occasion. Well. Easter came at last. The Child was too excited to eat any breakfast. and he started for church early. Il was a bitter disappointment to him that his mother was ill and unable to go with him. It seemed to blra that the time before service would never pass. Ho folt ill, weak. His head The boy were beginning to hurt. robe; so he, too, slipped tho white cotta over his head aud stood wltb tho rest. The choristers reached their stalls, and the service began a long service, and a long sermon. More than once the Childs golden head nodded. He had only a confused idea of the marble altar, bright with Its myriad of candles and exquisite with its multitude of flowers. Somehow it all formed part of a distant a very distant-pict- ure. Had It not been for the Organist the Child could never have held out Often Her marvelous voice rang ouL the man glanced from his seat at the organ toward the Child, and always thu look brought encouragement with It. At last came the offertory. Softly and low tbe organ gave out the prelude. Then a voice broke on the bush of the vast church a child's voice, sweet and distinct: O l I ;i t li ! whore Grave' where I thy sting? Y' victory la )hy Breathlessly tbe congregation listenTiie little chorister stood with! uplifted bead, a deathlike paleness on his face, while one ray of sunlight from the high yellow window Illumined his pure brow and beautiful hair. Now came tho Interlude. A horrible faintness blinded him. In a moment tho interlude would be over, and he must sing the second part of the anthem. "Dear God," he whispered, pulling himself together, help me to ed. ring. Again the marvelous voice rang out; on, on, floating out on the carved arches, where the marble angels touched their silent harps to the groined roof. Ah! who knows how much further on it floated? Perhaps even to the blue vault over all, where the living angels dwell. Many heads were bowed many eyes wet. One mother sobbed aloud. More than one heart in that fashionable, worldly congregation was softened and raised to higher things by that child- Ihb voice singing tbe note of triumph over the grave and death. A silence followed. With the solemn words. "Let us pray, the congregation dropped on Its knees. When the organ played the recessional hymn they could not rouse the Child to march out with them. The little chorister was dead. hi Old English Customs. j d Do you need any new choir boyef" expression in the Child' face; he did not understand tho choirmaster' joy. all, there was a delighted expression. Really?" he half breathed "may I really sing In your choir?" "Ah, I should think so! assured the Organist vehemently, laying his hand on the golden head- "Youll be a great addition to the choir, my boy. And If you com regularly to reboare But, abov - gaze him: "I wouldnt like to take money for singing. Mother said the other day that perhaps if I could sing in church on Easter God would let the angela carry the song to father Your father began the Organist The waxen blossoms, angel white. Are as the faith of her Who bowed her bead in sorrow's night, A humble worshiper. The golden gbrt the chalice shown Is but a little part Of all the trust sublime that glows Within the mother heart Ihe tho Child" with solemn fixed upon f The strangest of ancient English customs were those of lifting or heaving which the women did one day, Easter Monday, and then men on the next. And strangely enough It was supposed to represent the resurrection. In the heaving a chair wan used, sometimes elaborately decorated, and the victim was raised above the heads of those lifting. In the lifting the man or woman was seised by the legs and arms and lifted up vertically. So far were these tit for tat performances carried that It ! said that men used to whip their wlvea on Easter Sunday and the wives returned the compliment on Monday. t f j |