Story and Meaning I Easter
Editor' nnt Y nnii r- - . -t . t-
atlonally-read reporter and writer
on religions affairs. Among his best
known work has been a series of
reports on the great religions of
the world, begun several years ago
and still continuing. A newspaper
man since 1942, he was graduated
from Duke University. Cassels was
honored in 1956 with the Christo
pher Award for his dispatch,
"Christmas Story," and in 195S he
received the Faith and Freedom
Award for outstanding coverage of
religious news. Following is the
first of five articles by Cassels on
the story and meaning of Easter.
By LOUIS CASSELS
UPI Correspondent
No period of human history
has received more exhaustive
scrutiny by scholars than the
lour days which began on the
13th of Nisan (April 6) in the
year A.D. 30.
During those four days, in
the city of Jerusalem, a
young Jewish rabbi named
Jesus of Nazareth was arrest
ed, tried as a troublemaker,
and put to death by Roman
authorities.
Such executions were so
commonplace in that era that
the event would scarcely have
rated a footnote in history ex
cept for one extraordinary
circumstance.
The foflowers of Jesus, who
had fled in panic at the time
of his death, returned to Jeru
salem a short while later and
boldly proclaimed that he had
risen from the dead.
Very Love of God
They said that he was the
Christ, the very love of God
incarnate in a human person
ality, and that by his life,
death and resurrection he had
opened to all men a way of
escaping from the bonds of
sinful self-centeredness and
of entering into a new life
as the forgiven sons of God.
Many people then, as now,
found this "good news" hard
to believe. But others found
the Apostles' faith contagious,
and after testing it in the lab
oratory of their lives, they too
became convinced that Jesus
44is living still" and that
through Him God is "recon
ciling the world unto Him
self." So was born the Christian
church.
Memory Recorded
In due time, the church re
corded its memory of Jesus'
teachings, and particularly of
the climactic eevnts of His
last week. The earliest writ
ings, dating from about 51
A.D., were letters which the
Apostle Paul wrote to various
Christians congregations in
Asia Minor. Mark's gospel
was written about 70 A.D.,
possibly by one of Paul's
young missionary assistants.
Soon thereafter came the
more detailed Gospel which
bears the name of Matthew,
and the two cerfully-research-ed
books written by the phy
sician Luke, a gospel and an
account of the Acts of the
Apostles.
Scholars formerly thought
that the fourth Gospel, which
bears the name of John, must
have been written much lat
er. This conclusion was based
on textual evidence which
seemed to date the document
sometime in the second or
even the third century after
Christ. But the discovery of
the Dead Sea Scrolls has put
this evidence in a new light.
It is now clear that the fourth
Gospel could have been, and
probably was, written in the
first century.
These writings, preserved
by the church as the New Tes
tament, are the main source
of information about the
events of the first Easter
During the past century, they
have been subjected to detail
ed and relentless research
Philologists, archaeologists,
historians and theologians in
hundreds have nut literally
every phrase of the New Tes
tament to the test of critical
inquiry, in an effort to dis
tinguish authentic historical
facts from any legendary col
oring or metaphoric "height
ening" that may have crept
into the story as it was told
and retold by the early Chris
tians. Distressed Many
This ruthlessly objective an
alysis has distressed many
Christians, who look upon the
Bible as the verbally-inspired
Word of God, to be received
on faith as literally true in
every detail.
But to others, who had been
unable to accept the Biblical
record simply on the basis of
"authority," the results of
New Testament criticism are
exciting and inspiring.
"The fact that the New
Testament has been thrown
open to the freest and most
searching examination must
be reckoned a great gain,"
says Prof. Ernest F. Scott of
Union Theological Seminary.
Examined More Strictly
"The New Testament has
been examined more strictly
tnan any other book. The
main facts as to its origin
have been verified on the
fullest available evidence.
Every possible doubt has been
put forward and magnified. As
a result of all this sifting,
many of our old conceptions
of the New Testament have
been changed, but its claim
has been established more
surely than ever.
"We can now feel certain
that the facts are set before
us with essential fidelity."
In the next four dispatches
the events which took place
in Jerusalem during the mid
die of the month of Nisan in
the year A.D. 30 will be re
told, as the facts are record
ed in the New Testament,
with due regard for the light
that has been shed on the rec
ord by modern scholarship.
(Tomorrow: The Betrayal.)
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Greatest Influx of
Pilgrims Since 1948
Seen in Holy Week
Jerusalem (UPD Prepara
tions are completed in Jor
dan and Israel for what is
hoped will be the greatest
gathering of Holy Week pil
grims since the Palestine
War of 1948.
The influx of pilgrims
may inaugurate a new pe
riod of tourist prosperity
after 10 years made lean by
tension and strife, which has
affected the economic life of
this divided city.
Rooms Sold Out
This year, every hotel
room on both sides of no-man's-land
between Jordan
and Israel has been sold out
for weeks.
Because of political ten
sions, some religious obser
vances must, of necessity, be
modified. For example, on
Maundy Thursday afternoon,
a token procession will visit
the room of the Last, Supper,
which is on Mount Zion in
the new Israel-held city of
Jerusalem. Until the city
was divided between Jordan
and Israel, the procession
used to include thousands.
Since the division, only a
token procession has been
possible.
Following another Holy
Land custom, 40 Franciscan
monks will walk through the
streets of the Old City to
Simon the Just Gate (known
as Mandelbaum Gate) and
enter Israel. Once in the New
City, they will board a bus
and be driven several miles
to Mount Zion.
No Direct Route
Another reminder of the
political atmosphere is the
fact that the distance from
the Holy Sepulchre to Mount
Zion is little more than half
a mile. However, no direct
route exists because of the
division of the city. At the
foot of the hill, another pro
cession will form. It will con
sist of all those Christians
who have not crossed into
Jordan to celebrate Easter.
Prayers will be said in the
room of the Last Supper.
On Good Friday, thousands
of pilgrims will pack the
cobbled alleyways of Via
Dolorosa - the Street of Sor
row - along which Christ
carried His cross on the way
to Calvary. Some pilgrims
will carry crosses of their
own.
Pontifical High Mass
On Easter Sunday, Roman
Catholics of many nations
and from many walks of life
will crowd into the rotunda
of the basilica of the Holy
Sepulchre to attend a pontifi
cal high mass with the Patri
arch of Jerusalem, Msgr.
Alberto Gori. Others will at
tend quieter and less formal
morning services in the
Churches of St. Stephen and
St. Xavier.
Protestants will attend
early morning services in the
Lutheran Church of the Re
deemer and the Anglican
Cathedral of St. George.
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HOME DELIVERY Mrs. Virginia Smith, 33, of Los An-
geles, gave birth to a son on the couch in her living
room, because she didn't want to miss a TV program she
was watching. Mrs. Smith said everything was fine, and
that she intends to have more children the same way.
She already has four other children and is a grandmother.
Cancer Society Film
Scheduled Tuesday
"Time and Two Women,"
an American Cancer society
film showing how women can
guard against uterine cancer,
will be shown free tomorrow
at 10 a.m. at the Holly theater,
according to Mrs. C. B. Col
lins, local educational chair
man for the Cancer society.
A panel of local physicians
will answer questions at the
close of the film. It will also
be shown at 10 a.m. Wednes
day at the Varsity theater,
Ashland.
OFFICER DIES
Stamford, Conn. -UPD- Dr.
Lewis B. Franklin, 80, of Nor
ton, Conn., treasurer of the
National Council of the Prot
estant Episcopal church from
1920 to 1948, died Saturday
in Stamford hospital after a
three-month illness.
Positions Available
In Crater Lake Park
The civil service has an
nounced examinations for var
ious trades and crafts posi
tions at Crater Lake National
park. Positions include auto
motive, mechanic helper, car
penter, building repairman,
heavy duty mechanic, plumb
er and light duty truck driver.
Interested persons may ob
tain applications at post office
buildings and file them with
the board of U. S. Civil Ser
vice examiners for the nation
al park service, 180 New
Montgomery St., San Fran
cisco 5, Calif.
We Give
GREEN STAMPS
CENTRAL REXALL DRUG
Main and Central
Grange News
Live Oak Grange
The visitation agate was on
display at the last meeting
of Live Oalr Grange. Agri
culture Chairman Ray Frantz
reported that poultry prices
are steady, beef better and
hog market weak. Frank Hall
and Foster Luce attended the
hearing at the court house on
the subdivision ordinance.
Luce reported that more
Grange members are now on
the Jackson County Water
Resources and Flood Control
committee.
Ray Frantz, Frank Hall and
Larry Sheehan were appoint
ed to bring a report to the
next meeting on various
means of putting bumper
barriers for cars on the park
ing lot.
It was reported that Pearl
Lenderman is in the rest
home at 120 Laurel st., Med
ford, and that Joe Golding
also is ill.
A display table of old coins
and collections was furnished
by Fred Dengler, Beth Potter
and Jessie Frantz. H. E. Ca
gain asked for shrubs which
could be planted on HEC day.
Esther Fabric and Betty
Frantz sang a duet during
the program. Refreshments
were served by the Earl
Weavers and the Sheehans.
4-H Club News
Applegaie Culinary Cuties
The Applegate Culinary
Cuties met at the home of
their leader, Mrs. Eugene
Krouse, March 10 at 7 o'clock
wit height members present.
Sally Herriot gave a demon
stration on cake baking. The
money raising project was
again discussed. The next
meeting will be held March
24 at the leader's house.
Susan Head,
Reporter.
j
Blip' '-H j5A'lfls&
gelt v. - ummm
Sheep Club
Phoenix Sheep club held a
regular meeting Sunday,
March 15, at Mr. Swingle's
home. The name of the, club
was discussed by the . six
members attending. Refresh
ments were served.
The next meeting will be
held April 1& at Swingle's
home.
Margaret Whillock,
Reporter.
Thimble Thumbs
Sarah Robinson and Mary
Ann Carnegie will give a dem
onstration on the next step
in making garment protectors
at the next meeting of the
Thimble Thumbs sewing club
March 21. s.
Members worked on their
protectors at a meeting Feb.
21. Refreshments were served
by the hostess, Mrs. John
Carnegie, and Mary Ann.
Kathy Newcpmb,
Reporter
Korny Kampers Outdoor
Cooking Club
The Korny Kampers held
their first meeting of the year
recently at the home of Craig
Wright, junior leader.
We elected new officers.
Thev are president. Linda
Smith; vice president, Becky
Gates; secretary, Jan Main;
and reporter, Penny Sampert.
The record books were
handed out-and the goals for
the year were explained by
project leader, Mrs. Hazel
Wright.
B r v a n Kellington. Ben
Belknap, Patsie Eastman, and
Helen McKee are to give
demonstrations at the next
meeting. Linda Smith and
Craie Wright will give a spec
ial demonstration on reflec
tion ovens and foil cooking.
The next meeting will be
held on March 28 at 10 a.m.
at the home of Becky Gates.
Penny Sampert,
Reporter.
Stitch n Time
' The Stitch 'n Time club
met at the home of Joan Es
linger Saturday, March 15.
Betsy Dunlevy and Joan Es
linger gave, a demonstration
entertainment.
The next meeting will be
at Mrs. Carrniger's home and
we will finish the club's stuf
fed toys. They are made with
material, embroidery thread
and nylon stockings.
Joan Eslinger,
Reporter-
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WILLING TO NEGOTIATE President Eisenhower
points to Berlin on a map of Germany just before ad
dressing the American people over television and radio
from the White House, regarding the Berlin crisis. Dur
ing his speech the President expressed willingness to
negotiate with Russia at a summit conference.
MAIL TRIBUNE, Medford, Oregon, Monday, March 23, 1959 3
Two Men Die as
Car Leaves Road
The Dalles -(UPD- Two men
were killed near here late Sat
urday or early Sunday when
their car careened off the
highway and came to rest at
the bottom of an embankment
near railroad tracks.
The wreckage was spotted
Sunday by the engineer of the
Portland Rose streamliner, L.
R. Price.
The victims were indenti
fied as Charles Franklin Pick
ard, 44, Beaverton and Perry
P. Perkins, 62, Hillsboro.
The accident occurred near
Cecilo.
FORMER EDITOR DIES
New York -(UPD- Raymond
Henry McCaw, 72, former
night managing editor of the
New York Times, died Sun
day in St. Elizabeth's hospital
of virus pneumonia after a six
week illness.
SWEH'S nli,?
March
RING TERN
March
30
NEW CLASSES ARE NOW BEING ORGANIZED
MODERN FACILITIES ARE AVAILABLE
DAY SCHOOL
9:00 to 4:00
Mon. thru Fri.
NIGHT SCHOOL
7:00 to 10:00 p.m.
Mon. and Thurs.
THE TREND IS TOWARD THE TRAINED
ROBERTSON SCHOOL of BUSINESS
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Medford
SP 3-4264
619 S.E. Cass
Roseburg
OR 3-7256
411 Main
Klamath Falls
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7 want a car tnats
'Just 'like a woman! I want a car'
"Dave, Tve found exactly
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make driving ever so
much more comfortable?
"Comfort's fine, Nancy, but
we've got to consider sav
ings, too. And I've found
just the car for thatl"
"But the car Tve found is so
easy to get in and out of ...
and so comfy to sit in. You know
how much I liave to drive. Actually
a full-time mother is a part-time
chauffeur. You do want me to be
comfortable don't you, dear?'
Tes, but my car will save us as
much as $1.00 on every
tankful of gas because it
.uses regular. How about that?
"Well, that's nice, but what about
my frilly hats? We'll have
hat room not just head room iti
my car. And you're no shorty,
eitlier . . . you'd bump your head
in a lot of those new cars.
"Not in this one.
Besides, it only
needs oil
changes each
4000 miles."
"And for not one
penny extra, well
get a lot of extra '
saving features in the
car I want ... like it
muffler that's aluminized to
normally last twice as long."
"In the carl want, everybody
enjoys a soft comfortable seat ...
even the fi ks in the middle! This
car's built just rigltf for people, like
you and me and the children . . .
and besides, I think it's cute."
"Sure, looks are important ... and
my car will keep on looking good
'cause its finish is so bright and
durable it never needs waxing."
"WeZZ, the nice man at the
Ford Dealer's told me . . ."
"Did you say FORD? . . . that's
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