p. 16 | Easter by Editor

Pacific Press Publishing Company · OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA · Apr 25, 1900

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 26, No. 17.

Easter

By Editor

"Easter."—Why do we make nothing of "Easter"?—First, we do not believe in the glorification of the old pagan vernal festival of nature-worship, for which "Easter" stands. The word itself is the name of the old Saxon goddess Eostre, worshiped by the pagan ancestors. The eggs and yule log and flowers are all remains of the abominable nature worship. Christianity needs none of them. In the second place, if by the term is meant a festival in commemoration of Christ's resurrection, then we ask, Why celebrate a day for such an event? If we ought to observe Sunday weekly in honor of that event, why a day once a year? Why a day at all? The Bible gives no authority for such a custom. And, then, how much better the truth is! The resurrection was the divine proof of Christ's Sonship, the crowning evidence of His entire life of righteousness. The evidence of Christ's resurrection in His children is the power of God manifest in a godly every-day life. Baptism is the beginning of that life, not its end. It is the marriage ceremony of the union of the believer to Christ; but the sweetness and power of the married life come not once a year, but every day. If the church of God would witness for Christ every day, there would be no need of yearly celebrations to show to the world what the resurrection of Christ meant. The newness of life, the walking above the world and sin, would show that Jesus was risen indeed.