The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1868-02-25
LENT.
Shroue Tuesday-Episcopal appointments

IO-mOrroW IS ASH w edneSQ ay, tne nrS
day of the actual Lenten season. The
time for the observation Of this season de.
pends always upon the day of the year on
which Easter falls. The latter is nova.
BILE feast, and the time of its recurrence
depends upon the moon. At the Council
of Nice, A. D. 325, it was definitely set
tied, after many years of controversy, that
Easter Day is always the first Sunday
after the full moon which happens upon or
next after the 21st day of March; and if
the full moon happen upon Sunday,
Easter Day is the Sunday AFTER" This
year Easter Day falls upon the 18th Of
April, and Low Sunday upon the 18th.
Counting back seventy days from that date,
we come to February S-Septuagisima
Sunday-the beginning of pre-Lent. The
last day of pre-Lent (to.day) is Shrove
Tuesday, and the next Ash Wednesday,
which, as We have said, introduces Lent.
ShroUe Tuesday.-This day was marked
by odd customs in the olden time. It de-
rives its name from shriue, devout Catho-
lies taking care to be shrived on that day
before the commencement Of Lent. In
England, pancakes are the peculiar fea-
ture of the day, and it is frequently known
as "pancake day"
In countries where the Roman Catholic
religion predominates, the latter days Of
pre-Lent are especially noted as the time
of high carnival. The word, as is well
known, comes from carnis and vale-fare-
we'll to fesh-the Romish Church requi-
ring abstinence from flesh and all carnal
amusements during the Lenten season.
Travellers give glowing accounts Of the
festivities at high carnival. At the grand
balls held on the night of Shrove Tuesday
singular scene may be witnessed. In
the midst of the gayest amusements, the
widest dancing, the most enthusiastic
revelry, if the clock strikes IL the spec
tacle instantly assumes q different aspect.
Lent has come. The sound of merry
laughter subsidies, the music ceases; all
is hushed in seriousness profound. The
crowd disperses, and at least a semblance
of devotional feeling prevails. In this
country the carnival is only celebrated in
New Orleans; neither is it observed in
England or Protestant Germany. In Rome
it is seen in all its splendor and perfection.
Pre-Lent, terminating with Shrove Tues
day, henceforth the festivities of the year
are abandoned until Easter allows their
resumption. Ash Wednesday derives its
name from the custom early prevailing in
Rome of the priests blessing ashes made
from palms, which had been blessed the
previous year and laid up for the purpose,
and putting them upon the heads of the
people, to remind them that they are but
ashes, and to dust and ashes must return.
Penitents at the same time put on sack
cloth, as sign of contrition. In England,
Ash Wednesday is marked by reading of
the Commination Service"
The rules for keeping Lent are rigid
both in the Roman and Greek Churches.
Marriage is not tolerated, and abstinence
from flesh as we'll as from festivities is
required. Dispensations are frequently
granted, however. All are more de-
votional during this period. BY the
Anglican and Episcopal Churches the fast
is observed in modified way. Moderate
abstinence from food is recommended,
and an intermission of gaiety and pleasure,
that more time may be devoted to re-
ligious reflection, contemplation, and pub
lie devotions, the churches being fire.
quently open for the latter purpose. 1t is
believed that the season greatly tends to
spiritual good and religious development.
Throughout pre-Lent and Lent the SER
vices are adapted to the season, and are of
a steadily increasing solemn character.
They are quite ancient, and little has been
added to them since the days of primitive
Christianity.
The following will be found of interest
to readers connected with the Episcopal
Church:
appointments for Episcopal Churches in
Lent.
Ash Wednesday-Service in all the
churches, except St. Marks, at Ii A. NJ.
At St. Marks, A. M. and 7.45 P. NJ.
After Ash MISUNDERSTANDING with
Monday, March 2d-the churches will be
open as follows:
st. Mark's-Monday P. II.
Grace-Tuesday P. NJ.
Monumental-W Wednesday II NJ.
Monumental-Thursday P. N.
St. James's-Friday II NJ.
St. Paul's-Every morning at 7.
SUNDAY SCHOOL STATIsTIcs.-Rev. DR..
Moore preached on Sunday morning SER
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