THE NAME Easter comes from the Anglo-Saxon “Eostre,” the name of the goddess of light and spring, whose festival was celebrated in April. The name of the Festival in Greek, French, Italian and other languages, comes from the Hebrew “pesach” which means Passover, because the first Christians thought it was a continuation of the feast of the Passover, at which the paschal lamb, symbol of Christ, was sacrificed.

Just when Easter was to be celebrated was a long disputed matter in the Christian Church. The eastern Christians held Easter on April 14th, the same day on which the Jewish Passover fell. Finally after hundreds of years of dissension, the Council of Nice, in A. D. 325, fixed Easter as the first Sunday after the first full moon on or near March 21st. The earliest date on which Easter may fall is March 22nd, the latest, April 25th.

Many quaint and odd customs have arisen out of the sentiment built around Easter. The Christian Church celebrated this day to commemorate Christ’s resurrection from the dead. Easter is the most important religious season in the church calendar. It is the symbol of immortality, renewed hope, which comes with the return of the sun, flowers, soft rain and the green grass. Easter, which follows a 40-day period of penitence and contemplation, represents the promise of a new life. The decorations at Eastertime are white, meaning light and purity.

Easter has come to mean but one thing to the average person—the giving and sending of Easter eggs. The idea had its origin with the Persians. Eggs are the symbol of new life to the religious mind. To children it means only something thrilling to look forward to for weeks ahead. It is a season of joy and sunshine and makes one feel invigorated—but beneath all the secular festivities, still lies the mysteries and glories of a Risen Lord. —From a Newspaper Clipping.

INTO Thy governing Power, Thy sublime Influence, Thy immutable Wisdom and Guiding Love—we surrender. —Faith Barree.