EASTER DAY.

The word Easter is the name of a heathen goddess, the same as Astarte among the Orientals; the month called after her was equivalent to our April, and as about this time the celebration of the Resurrection took place, the word Easter in early times became a synonym word for that Festival. It is much to be regretted that the word Pasch, i.e. Passover, was not retained.

This Festival "the Queen of feasts" has been kept from the very earliest times. In the Eastern Church, the 14th of the first month, the day on which the Jews kept the Passover, was observed; and three days after this the Resurrection was celebrated, on whatever day in the week it might fall.

In the Western Church the Resurrection was always celebrated on a Sunday. Various disputes arose, but the latter practice was established at the Council of Nice, A.D. 325.

In the British Church, it would seem that the mode of computation by Anatolius obtained; but when St. Augustine, the Founder of the Anglo-Saxon Church, arrived, he endeavoured to enforce the computation of Dionysius. Uniformity was established A.D. 800.

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THE COLLECT.

Gelas. Greg. S.M.

LMIGHTY GOD, who through Thine only begotten Son Jesus Christ hast overcome death, and opened unto us the gate of everlasting life; we humbly beseech Thee, that, as by Thy special grace preventing us, Thou dost put into our minds good desires, so by Thy continual help we may bring the same to good effect; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen.

EASTER DAY.

Almighty God, through Christ Thy only Son, Thou hast o'er death and hell the triumph won; The foe is fallen in the unequal strife,

The gate is opened of eternal life!

We humbly pray Thee that Thy special grace,
Like Israel's pillar, may prevent our face;
And that Thy Spirit may our minds inspire
With every holy thought and good desire.

And may Thy help and blessing never cease
To bring the tender seed to good increase;
And every grace that now in us is sown,
At last with resurrection glory crown;

Through Jesus Christ our Lord, exalted high,
Who rose again from death, no more to die,
But ever lives; one royal sceptre sways
With Thee and Holy Ghost, through endless days.

THE FIRST SUNDAY AFTER EASTER.

This Sunday is commonly called Low Sunday, as being a Festival of small importance in comparison of the previous Sunday. It was anciently called the Lord's Day in white, because the newly baptized wore their white robes for the last time on this day.

THE COLLECT.

Prayer Book of 1549.

LMIGHTY FATHER, who hast given Thine only Son to die for our sins, and to rise again for our justification; grant us so to put away the leaven of malice and wickedness, that we may always serve Thee in pureness of living and truth; through the merits of the same Thy

Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

THE FIRST SUNDAY AFTER EASTER.

O God, who rulest over all,

Our Father, hear us when we call;
Thy only Son Thou gav'st to die
Upon the Cross in agony,

Our debt of justice dread to pay,
Our sins and guilt to take away;
And as the accepted sacrifice,
E'en for our righteousness to rise.

O cast out by Thy helpful grace,
And from our inmost hearts displace
The leaven of our former state,
All envy and malicious hate.

And to the end may we endure,
In truth and conversation pure;
These mercies unto us award
Through the great merits of our Lord.