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Halloween isn’t a fun holiday for everyone

Although this area was settled largely by Protestants, fleeing England to escape religious persecution, I wonder if many of their descendants ever think of the Reformation or Martin Luther–without the King attachment?  The great reformer, Martin Luther, translated the Bible from Latin into English for the first time, against the powers that be, and much suffering (read the story.)

Our ancestors kept that memory fresh and tried to live a life honoring that memory.   A handshake was as good as written word.  The justice system was seldom used because their disputes were settled with fists when necessary.  The Bible was often the only example for living and much of the education was taken from it.

The prevailing party ruled the state and when they ruled too long, the politicians pockets filled while the rural areas were never developed.  Taking anything from an employer besides their wage, or a lunch when offered, was stealing.  Barter was permissible but accepting gifts from anyone, other than a family member, was charity and unacceptable.

The more recent tradition of tricking or treating has blown my ancient mind.  In my day when an outhouse was overturned, a buggy was found on a shed roof or corn thrown against windows, it was frowned on as a trick of mischievous youngsters. I wonder when a satanic type of holiday was allowed to happen with gangs, often with pillowcases, collecting their loot.

Originally there was a day in October designated as “All Saints Day.”  The night before was “Hallowed Eve.”  There are still a few churches where the young people meet for contests of scripture memory and food.  Others have turned it onto Halloween, not realizing they are celebrating witchcraft.

I once belonged to a poetry society where a confirmed witch was a member and hoped to get new members.  She bragged about their coven meetings in the woods, especially at this time, to boil their caldron, butcher animals and call the spirits.  That cured me of enjoying this holiday.

Olive Smith Stone

Huntington, W.Va.

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