Smyrna times., 1859-03-24
L e NJ r

Christian fast, and as there are about 300 000,-
600 of persons who observes it with more or less
rigidity, we have thought our readers might be
interested in brief sketch of its origin and his
tory. Unlike many other fasts and feasts per-
talning to Christianity, some of which exert
but local influence and interest, this is uni
versal as the limits Of the church visible; (ex-
cepting only a portion of the most ultra Pro-
testants) Wherever the Roman Catholic
Church has votares-in the seat of its original
power in Southern Europe, in Asia, in Africa,
in South America, and the islands of the sea,
the observance of this fast has been carried, as
an inseparable part of it's faith ccremonies-ner
is it confined TO them; the Greek Church, of
which Russia is the most powerful representa-
tive, is equally exacting in the manner of keep.
ing Lent; while the Anglical Church thcoreti.
cally recognizes it, and both in England and
this country immense numbers of Eplscopalians
regard its observance as binding.
| Its origin is supposed to have been Apostolic,
though numerous additions have been from time
to time added, uatil it mas attained Its present
fullness and Importance; nor Is it unreasonable
to suppose, that from the very earliest times,
the principal events it commemorales should
be held sacred by the followers of Christ. As
kept, however, previous to the 9Th century, it
consisted Of less tha n forty days; beginning. up
to that period, with what is now called the first
Sunday in Lent. Pope Felix Ill, in 4S7, pre-
fixed four days, beginning with Ash.Wednes
dae, which brought the number up to forty
the days of Christ's temptation in the wilder
ness. The observance of Lent was first intro
duced into England during the time of the Sax
on Heptarchy, by Ercombert, King of Kent. in
the year 64O. Since then it has met with more
/ or less encouragement from the Anglican
Church and Government, according as various
religious parties prevailed. After the Refor-
nation, it's observance became less general, but
Queen Elizabeth, on being petitiOned By some
of "her loving subjects" to make the Obser-
vance of Lent penal, refused, for this very good
reason, that the adjustment of Lent would in.
jure Her Majesty's fisheries and, therefore,
she rather encouraged than repressed the Gus.
tom of keeping it.
During CrOmwGll'S time it was in great disre.
pute, various Parliamentary statutes were pass
ed against the public performance OF it's cere.
monies, and those who still hallowed it were
forced to privacy and secrecy. Since his time
it has recovered somewhat OF its ancient pres.
tge, and the first day in Lent (and some ouhers)
is now public hOlIday-all the public Offices
being closed except the Stamps, Excise and
Customs In former times-in those fabulous
days Of" Merrie England"-persons convicted
of notorious sin, were put to open pennance on
Ash Wednesddy-and even now the COM
minatlOn," or ecclesiastical curse against GER
tain kinds of wlckedness is still read ON this da
in the Anglican churches
But, of all the days of Lent, Good Friday-or
Holy Friday, as it is called in Europe-is the
most significant aud important, as the presumed
anniversary of the Crucfxion. In England,
business Is, even now, to a great extent, sus-
pended and in Dr. Johnson's day it was very
Common for people to go to church in black
clothes, or mourning. 1t was very old and
common superstition, that eggs laid on this day
had the property of extingulshing fire. Ia Lon
don, the first sound which salutes the ear, OF
| tue vi Ooou 10 I1OL OIOe
Buns!" which are cried about by huckslers tn,
whole day, except during the hours of churcl
service. la a kind of singing tone, they q
about, repeating
Hot cross buns -
One penny, buns two penny, buns!
One penny, two penny-hoI cross buns !"
In this country. Good Friday is more gener
ally observed than any day of Lent, and lhoug
the Saturday succeeding is still fast day. it
very often devoted TO making preparations TO
Easter Sunday, the greatest jubilee OF the Chris
:, tian Church, except Christmas, and in the mind
of many, holding equal place with that. In Ne'
York, we used to hear very little of Lent; b,
e. the immense influx of foreigners, who hav
u' been accustomed to it's observance in Europ
III with the high church tendencies of the EpIsct
hS palians here, has greatly aided Of la.e years,
II make this important fast an object of gener
IL attention, and its observance will no doubt b
BIS come more common as our city grows more al
oy more cosmopolitan in its character.-ConSie
" LatiOn.