Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1871-02-22

VI AS'' ''iie'nc'o liIouSHouL the SAih''"ii
world The observance of Lent dates back to a
period Immediately succeeding the days of the
Apostles At first there was the fast of the
forty hours, commencing with the afternoon
of Good Friday and terminating with the morn
ing of Faster Sunday. Gradually this fast was
extended to much longer period, and finally
the church settled upon the observance of the
forty days mot counting Sundays preceding
the festival of the Resurrection The writings
of the early Bishops and the ''Apostolic Can
ons' show that this fast of Lent was print
tive observance. 1t is supposed to have been
designed to commemorate the forty days fast
Of the Saviour in the wilderness. The term
Lent is of Saxon origin, signifying spring, and
as used in the Church simply means the spring
fast preparatory to and Immediately preceding
the celebration Of the GROWING festival Of the
church-the anniversary of the rising of the
Saviour from the grave and His final triumph
over sin and death. Besides the Roman Cath
olic, the Eastern, or Greek Church. also OBJ
serves this forty days fast with great solemnity.
The Anglican branch Of the Church Catholic,
the Episcopal, likewise enjoins the observance
of this solemn season upon all who come within
the reach of her influence Whilst the Episco-
pal Church makes no attempt to enforce any
particular measure or degree Of abstinence. but
leaves all such matters to the private judgment
of Christians. she none the less exhorts all to
practice acts of special devotion, humiliation
and selfdenial during the season of Lent, in
order, as one of the special prayers appointed
for the season expresses it, that the flesh may
be subdued to the spirit Throughout this
season the prayers and sacred lessons and the
music of the Church have, more than ordinarl-
ly, apenitential bearing. The Lutheran Church
also observes the penitential season.
Appropriate services were conducted III the
Catholic and Episcopal Churches in this city.
ALEXANDRIA CHRISTIAN AssoCIATIoN.-ln
consequence Of the non-delivery of the notices,
and from other causes, there was not a quorum
of members present at the regular monthly
meeting of the Alexandria Christian Associa-
ton, to have been held last night. The few
persons in the room held social prayer meet
ing, the President in the Chair and adjourned
after singing the Doxology. The President
announced that there would be called meet
ing of the Association next Friday night at half
past seven o'clock, there being several mat
tiers of importance before the Society requiring
legislation.
FOURTH WARD MAGISTRATES. The Com
missioners of Election of the 18th Ward of the
city, not having settled by lot the terms OF
office Of the Justices, returned as elected by
said ward, the parties concerned assembled at
the store of Robt. Bell, esq, yesterday after
noon, and cast lots for the same with the follow
ing result Robt. Bell one year; Il. B. Pinn,
two years; O. G. Whittlesey, three years. At
the request of r. b. Pinn however, Robel'
Bell was substituted for the twoyears privilege.
VISITING FIREMEN--A delegation Of the.
Columbia fire company of Philadelphia, lately
disbanded by the adjustment of the volunteer
fire department of that city: paid Il visit here
yesterday, and took peep at the engine they
sold to the department of this city.
A delegation of the Hope engine company
from Norfolk were here to-day, and looked at
the apparatus of the Alexandria fire depart
ment Both delegations were entertained.
CONFERENCE. The Virginia Conference of
the Methodist Episcopal Church will commence
in the Washington street Church in this city to-
morrow morning at clock. \ large num-
Der of preachers have already arrived. Cand-
dates for the ministry were being examined
before the committees this morning.
''22ND OF FEBRUARY. This is the anniver-
sary of WASHINGTON Birth Day. There Was
no public celebration in this place In former
times on tie birth Day there were parades
professions, oratons, and balls. 1t was gala
day, :" in old Alexandria. 1t ought to he so
now-and we hope that it will be so hereafter
CRY CHARTER new charter for the
CORPORATION of Alexandria. which has been
adopted by the City Council and passed by the
Legislature, was signed by the Governor on
Monday, and is now law
,,-r Tb, c+oo,pn, W.uacat