The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1860-02-25
ASH Observation-Disclosures Feb 22d,

ASH WEDxrsDAY-Wedne Feb. 22d,
was ash Wednesday" or first day of Lent,
that season of 40 days, terminating at
Easter, which is observed by four-ffths of
the Christian world as a season of fasting
and humiliation before God, in commemo-
ration of the 40 days, fast of the Saviour
in the wilderness ash Wednesday" de-
rives its name from the fact that in the
earlier days Christians were in the habit
of strewing ashes on their heads on this
day, in token of deep humiliation and
penitence. Lent" is derived from Sax
on word signifying Spring" as this season
occurs in Spring.
At the present day most of the protes-
tant denominations of this country affect
to ignore the fast and feast days and sea-
sons of the ancient church, although still
observed by some of the same denomina-
lions in Europe; yet their having been
closely observed during SO many centuries
has given them hold upon the popular
mind that is found next to impossible to
eradicate. Christmas and Easter, for in
stance, will continue to be holydays, in
spite OF Puritanism, as long as children
love candies and colored eggs
Lent, however, has been more easily for
gotten, and in this country, among protes.
tants, is observed only we believe, by the
Episcopalians With them, instead of rig
id fasting, however, abstimiousness in food
is enjoined, and the season is rather devo-
ted to increased attention to religious du-
ties, and to greater selfsacrifce in labors
and contributions for benevolent and re-
ligious purposes. 1t is with them the reg
ularly recurring season of revival" and
takes the place of those special efforts, I'M
der the same name: so commonly resorted
to by other protestant denominations.
By the Roman Catholics, however, lent
appears still to be observed with nearly
the rigor of the olden times We infer so,
at least, from the following Regulations
for Lent published by Arch Bishop Pur-
cell, of Cincinnati, with which we will close
this profound disquisition:
REGULATIONS FOR LENT
l. All persons who have completed their
twenty-first year, and who are not exempt
from the obligation of fasting by sickness,
dibility, old age, hard labor, or for other
well known reasons, are Obliged to observe
all the days of Lent, Sundays accepted, as
fasting days.
, On those days but one full meal is
allowed which should be taken about noon
;. a cup of tea, coffee, or thin chocolate,
with bit of bread or cracker, may be TAX
en- in the morning, and a collation., Of food
not more than the fourth part of an ordi-
nary meal or not exceeding eight ounces,
may be eaten in the evening.
4. Warm fish is not permitted at the
collation.
). Abstinence from flesh meat in enjoin-
ed on all the Wednesdays and Fridays OF
Lent, and on the two Saturdays of Ember
and Holy Week.
e. The use of flesh meat is allowed. by
dispensation, at meals on Sunday; and at
one meal on Mondays Tuesdays, Thurs
days, and Saturdays, with the exception of
the two Saturdays above named.
!. Those exempt from fasting are allow
ed the use of flesh meat at ever! meal on
the days on which il is allow ed 10 others
but once.
s. Fish and flesh are not allowed on any
day of Lent at the same meal: Oysters
are fish.
g. Eggs, milk. cheese, butter, can be used
| without distinction Of days; but absti.
hence is recommended on Good Friday.