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Show WPP Mir? $ JXyVl cVMav t?xx rr V via &4s4w5?f kmz33$&8$ 7 ASTER in the Holy Land Gv is the most impressive occasion of the year, for I thither throng pilgrims 1 -i from all parts of the " Christian world, deeply jfei- reverent with the spirit jjjj&ifi$. ot the season. In Jeru-Srgfe Jeru-Srgfe salem they follow in the ngly?p! footsteps of Jesus on his "' -Ji I march to the cross, and the procession that leaves the Church of the Holy Sepul-cher, Sepul-cher, bearing a huge cross, and makes its way along the Via Dolorosa, offering offer-ing supplications at the stations of the cross, is a spectacle that never grows dim in the memory. Here, in the setting of the most profound pro-found tragedy in the history, of the world, is incarnated the eternal spirit that had its expression 2,000 years ago, defying time and death and sweetening the world with tenderness and love. Incense from fire and the incense of prayer rise along the way, and hearts are hymned to tears, while the stolid Moslem looks on with impassive im-passive face. Next to a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, the bathing in the river Jordan is one of the precious experiences of the peasants from Russia, Greece, Bulgaria, Bul-garia, Turkey and other countries. Thousands journey to this holy stream to bathe, that they may be washed clean of their sins. And in the joy of the cleansing, those who are compelled com-pelled to remain at home are not forgotten. for-gotten. So every pilgrim fills a bottle with the sacred water to be taken back on the tedious journey. These reverent people even go to the extent of taking home branches and shrubs growing along the banks of the river. But one of the most picturesque sights is the carrying away of sacred fire from the Church of the Holy Scpulcher. The pilgrims light their candles at fNg t Us f NW z&a3 '-ill h?P$k Fafe fefli the shrine, and, jealously guarding the little flame from capricious winds and drafts, make the journey to Jaffa, board ship, and, throughout the sea voyage, often to the end of a rough journey over mountains by the most primitive means of transportation, unceasingly guard the treasure until they finally arrive among the expectant expect-ant stay-at-homes with their blessings of fire and water. Pilgrims recall one Holy Week when, in upon the peaceful spirit ot adoration, came the menace of Christian Chris-tian massacre so the first alarm told it and in a few minutes the streets, swarming with picturesque crowds, were deserted, the shops and bazaars closed. But when the garrison of the city marched through the streets, headed by the band to allay the fears of. the Christians, the Moslem population popula-tion turned out not to rise against the infidel, but just like the inhabi- tants of any western city to see the parade go by. Easter celebrations take on varied aspects all over the world, with curious curi-ous customs and usages in the rural districts and spots remote from the great traveled highways. But it is m the toreign cities that one often sees the expression of the big, impressively impres-sively picturesque note. This is especially es-pecially so of the Latin countries. In Spain, for instance, one sees it, a3 well as in Italy and in France. But in all countries, though it is the time of outpouring, it is largely judged from an individual standpoint. Easter in New York is different from Easter in Rome; and so the contrast may be carried along T)etween many places. What is Easter to one man may not at all approach what another conceives to be the day it may be too destitute of form and show, or too prodigal of it. |