Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-02-20
LENT.

The season of Lent has commenced and it NAV
not be inappropriate TO furnish few facts relating
to its history The period of the Institution of the
Lenten Fast has been lost. 1t is, however without
doubt, of great antiquity. We told that PhiIo,
who lived in the time of the Apostles has left des
cripton of this holy season. it was observed by
the Christians at Alexandria 1t is also mentioned by
Ireneas disciple of Polycarp, who had been a dis
ciple of the Evangelist John. Tertulllan has also
furnished strong proof in favor OF It's having been
observed by the Christians who saw the Lord.
Many eminent ecclesiastical writers contend that
Lent was originally appointed in eommemoration Of
the Savors fast in the desert. Others OF equal au
thorty regard it the celebration OF the period our
Savior spent in the sepulchre But though there ls
difference of opinion as TO the event this severe
and holy season was designed to commemorate, all
are agreed that this pentenal period was intended
TO prepare the heart for the sacred joys OF the go
rious Easter Festival.
Roth the Latin and Greek names by which Lent
is designated signifies forty but whether that num-
Der was originally applied to days or hours, has
not beeu Satisfactorily ascertained. 1t is most pro-
bable that at the first the season only comprehend
ed forty hours-the length Of time the Prince Of
Life was under the power of Death. These dark
and terrible hours were celebrated with profound
solemnity They were passed in religious exercis-
es and the body was punished with extreme severI-
ty In course of time the hours were changed INTO
DAVIS and the period of the fast permanently fixed
Lent began on Sunday, till near the close OF the
fifth century. when the four secular were added by
Pope Felix the Third. This change was made IN
order to complete the number of actual last days.
for the Church has ever regarded Sunday as Gay
of rejoicing and properly exempted that day, on
which was commemorated the most Important anu
JOYOUS of all events from the seventies enoneo as
a bounden duty during this solemn fast
In the early ages of Christianity the Lenten Fast
was observed with great strictness. During tne
whole of that long period fast was praetced I'LL
SHUTDOWN and even then the meal with winch were
a.. and unrlnI h06lpg
| exceedingly simple and sparing. The money saved
by this rigorous sef-denial was bestowed upon the
poor and the grateful recipients of this beautiful
charity have preserved its remembrance IN many
| striking and elegant proverbs.
The fast derived its name from the old saxon ttie
| of March-Le7adt 1fondt-the frightening month, or
| the period when the days show clearly the added
minutes of the previous weeks. As the larger num-
her of the days that compose this sacred period are
| usually comprehended in the month OF Mareh, they
| transferred the expressive name to the fast
/ The first four days in Lent were devoted to the
dscipline of offending members Of the Church, and
| the seyerest punishment was inflicted upon those
who were guilty of the grossest inquiries, on tne
/ opening day of the solemn season. ASH wednesday
was known in the ancient Church by two titles ne
Head of the Fast and the Day Of Ashes. 1t was the
| darkest day of that period Of gro2ns and tears
The gravest offenders who had given proof OF SIN
| cere grief for their sins, appeared In Chureh II
front of the Chancel with bare dressed thlnly II
| sackclOIn, anu reduy " sun " W. -, -
| should be inflicted by the Bishop. They Wer'
sprinkled copiously with ashes, and driven out o
the sanctuary, followed by the clergy, repeating
low and solemn tones the curse pronounced upoi
Adam. Those who had not committed such cryinl
acts of wickedness, were subjected to humiliation
m proportion to the character of the sins they hat
been guilty of And not only were penl,ents re
oured TO submit to this severe public discipline ou
thew were obliged to forego all harmless diversions
to fast often, and with the utmost rigor. The mel
were made TO cut their hair short, and the womeI
to wear very thick wells, and their means were yer.
severely taxed for the support of the poor.
The celebration of the opening day of this sever
season in the street by the thOughtess was not Il
harmony with its sacred character. In some part
| of England, the boys amused themselves on AS
Wednesday by setting up grotesque ngure' "hicI
ia called jack o. Lent and throwing pennies at it.
has been the custom in Burgundy for many years
make large fires in the public squares on the mrs
| Sunday in Lent.