The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1858-03-01
LENT.


says ''is time of modification during forty DAYS
in which Christians are enoined to fast in common
Grafton, as it is generally believed. of our Savior
miraculous fasting for that period in the wilder
ness, ana also by way OF humiliation and prepare
ton tsfore the feast of Easter
The Roman Catholic church. and some of tn
Protestant communion, maintain that it was AWAY
last OF forty days, and, such, of apostolica in
stltutlon. Others think that it was of ecclesiastical
institution. and that it was variousy observed il
different churches, and grew bv degrees from a fas
of forty hours to fast of forty DAYS
IN the ancient Lat In church, Lent only consisted
OF thlrty-sx days. In the ninth century it is said
four more days were added. This change in tim,
was generally adopted in practice. though the churcl
OF Milan Is said to observe only thirtv-six DAYS
Those who contend that Lent was instituted by tn,
Apostles, argue that whatever is generally received
throughout the whole church, and the institution
OF which we do not find in any council must be con
sldered to have been established by the Apostles
and that such institution is the feast of Lent for
its establishment is not spoken of in any council
whie many OF the ancient councils and some of the
Oldest fathers, speak of it as of some standing.
The reformed churches generally, with the excep
ton OF the Episcopal church, hold Lent to be a sl
perstitous institution set on foot by some vain on
thusiasts, who dared to undertake to ape the mira
Giles of Christ.
Some say was first instituted by Pope Teesphorus
IN the second century. Others who own that there
was kind of abstinence observed in the ancient
church before Easter yet contend that it entirely
voluntary, and never enjoined by any law till the
third century.
According to Anderson's History of Commerce
Lent was first observed in England by the Saxons
in the year GAO.
Political Lents have often been enoined by sta.
tute ana proclamation. King James L. of England
issued a proclamation against eating flesh in Lent
IN 1912 and another in 1925. A similar proclama-
ton was also issued by Charles l., in 1921, and an
other in 1881 w.
The difference between the Greek and Latin
churches in the observance of Lent is that the
creeks begin it week sooner. and allow more day.
OF lntermisson than the Latins those who hold i,
seven weeks not fasting on Saturday, as those dc
who hold it but six.
The ancient Latin monks held three Lents: the
grand Lent before Easter; another before Christ
mas called the Lent of st. Martini and a third after
mt sunday, called the Lent Of st. John the Bap-
fist. Each of these lasted forty DAYS
The Greeks, besides that before Easter. had fnur
others Ct the Apostles, of the Assumpton Of
Christmas, and of the Transfiguration-bu each
lasting onl Y seven days. The Jacobites added \
fifth, called the Repentance of Nineye6: and the
Marontes sixth, called the Exaltation of the Holy
Cross. 10y
According to various authorities Lent is observed
N colnlnemoration OF the forty days during which
ing which the jews wandered IN thea,ylderness. ar
OF the forty days allowed Nneveh for repentance.
or OF the forty stripes with which maleactors were
TO De corrected; or of the forty DAYS during which
Moses tasted on receiving the law: or of the forty
days fast OF Elias; or more generally, of the FORTY
days fast of Christ.
and signifies spring the fast being held invariably.
IN our day, at that season, before the feast Of
Easter. "
1t has been remarked that the fast prescribed by
the ancient systems of theology have been chiefly
enJolned to be observed in the spring aad fall when
the seasons are about to change and when, in ac-
cordance with well known physiological laws, the
human BODY Is always benefited by abstinence
This observation if Just, as it seems to be- accords
with like remark made in regard to the repula
tons OF Moses prescribing the kinds of food which
were to be eaten or rejected by the Jews and MANY
OF which found to be simply in accordance with
wholesome physical laws. This fact seems 10 show
either that the observance OF such fasts is not
Ter Oh regous obllgatlon or that, in beautiful de-
monstratlon OF the Harmony of spiritual and ma
terlal laws. the spirit and the material frame are
equal purified and strengthened by obedience to re-
Hglous iniunctiOns.
VI old, all public games and stage PLAYS, and the
celebration OF all festivals birthdays and maria
ges, were prohibited during Lent. This rule still
hoids IN theory but it is much disreoarded in prac
tee. On Ash-W ednesday, for example the onera
OF Don Giovanni was attended in Baltimore BY great
numbers OF the members of those churches that OBJ
serve Lent though their ministers had in advance,
strongly denounced the practice
we are told that, in ancient days. Lent was
thought the proper time for exercising more abund-
antly every species of charity. Thus, what was
saved by abstaining from meal was usually oiven
TO the poor; and leisure time was EMPLOYED in Wis
lt1ng the sick and those in prison, in entertaining
strangers, and in reconciling differences Tbis +
quantity expressed by Old Herrick, who saws:
Is this fast, to keep
The larder lean,
And clean
From fat of voas and sheep?
Is it to quit the dish
Of flesh, yet still
To fill
The platter high with fish?
Is it to fast an hour,
Or ragged to go,
Or show
A downcast look and SQUIRE?
No; It's fast to dole
Thy sheaf of wheat
And meat,
Unto the hungry soule
1t is to fast from strife.
From old debate,
And hate;
TO circumcise thy life.
To show heart grief-rent
To starve thy sin,
Not bin;
And that's to keep thy Lent