Lanarkshire Philatelic Society
"EASTER"
Elsie Miller
At their recent meeting the Lanarkshire Philatelic Society enjoyed a display of stamps, postmarks and postcards detailing the different events of Easter. This began from the time when Jesus sent two of His disciples to fetch a donkey on which he then rode into Jerusalem to a tumultuous welcome. The display followed through the Last Supper, Judas’ betrayal, the arrest, the trial, the scourging, Peter’s denial, the crucifixion, burial and resurrection, the various resurrection appearances and finished with the Ascension.
It was interesting to note that one stamp showed the dice with which the Roman soldiers played to see who would get the seamless robe of Jesus. Another stamp very surprisingly showed the distressed Mary, holding her dead son – and with a sword thrust into her body. This was from the prophecy of Simeon who, using imagery, had said that ‘a sword would pierce her heart also.’
After tea, Elsie Miller, giving the display, continued from the Ascension through the remaining books of the New Testament – showing Paul’s life and his various letters to the churches and to individuals. As Paul used many sporting analogies to define his theology there were thus stamps of ancient sporting events shown.
The letter of Jude was illustrated with stamps showing St Michael defeating the devil.
The book of Revelation was of much interest with many stamps showing the strange parts of this book, including the ‘Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse’ - and also displayed stamps showing the different symbols given to the four writers of the gospels – Mark: lion; Luke: ox; Matthew: face of man; John: eagle.
Postcards showing Holman Hunt’s famous painting ‘The Light of the World’ were shown and it was explained that he painted this three separate times – and each painting has a slight difference from the others; the drape of the robe, the length of the lamp chain, the hand on the knocker, the shadows - being some of the differences.
In giving the Vote of Thanks, Rev. Bruce McDowall remarked that it had been a very informative and enjoyable evening.
Our next meeting, which is the final meeting of the season, in St Andrews Parish Church Hall, Avon Street, Hamilton, is on Friday, 25th April, 2008, at 7:30pm. This will be the traditional ‘5 Sheets or 50 pence’ evening.