IS THE WORD “EASTER” IN THE SCRIPTURES?
“Intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people.”—ACTS xii. 4.
THE Rev. Josias Wilson, a Presbyterian minister in London, having occasion to read this chapter to his people one Sabbath morning, paused for some time after repeating the words, “Intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people.” Instantly all eyes were fixed on the preacher and every ear pricked. Then in a commanding and impressive tone he burst forth with the following striking apostrophe:—”You Presbyterians say that you observe no saints’ days, feasts, or festivals, just because they are not sanctioned in your Bibles; but here I find Easter is mentioned, and apparent reverence shown to it. Now, then, how readest thou, or what sayest thou to this? Brethren, be not deceived, for from the book of Genesis to the book of Revelation no such word ever occurs. It is a false and infamous translation of the Word of God, and it ought to have been expunged long ago. The original Greek word here translated Easter is Pascha, which signifies the Passover, and ought to have been so rendered; but King James, who was half a pope, told the translators that they must retain as many of the old ecclesiastical terms as possible, and hence we have this word disgracing these venerable pages in the 19th century.”—British Messenger.