The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1871-03-06

In the last number of the Church Union,
Thomas x. Beecher, brother of Henry
Ward, argues in favor of the adoption of Lent
by the Congregationalists, Baptists and Meth
odists, saying:
Lent is not "rag Of Popery." The history
and traditions of Lent may be open to critic
ism and may be amiably criticised, and yet
Lent itself be observed with profit,
The history of this season may be full of alb
surdities; its present observance by millions
of Chrtians may be sacramenial and super
stitious. Nevertheless, the season thus sane
titled by millions will be found to b. peculiar
ly profitable if observed by enlightened and
rational Christians.
1t is better season than the week. of
prayer. The week of prayer comes at time
when it is impossible to make headway
against the foam ofholiday fun, and the rush
and accumulation of business care that comes
with the new year.
1t would seem as if worse weeks could not
be chosen than the weeks that begin with the
new year. nor better weeks than those that
being and end with Lent. In our large towns
and cities, balls, parties, fashionable theatri-
Gals, weddings-in short worldliness. is at last
checked during Lent. Fashion says, 'sHush !;
it isn't the thing, you know, to have parties
during Lent" And at the other extreme of
society, our foreign population, and our poor
folks that are led and comforted by the
Church of Rome, are less sensuous, less fire.
quently intoxicated they are more sober, in
dustrions. and accessible to spiritual truth
They are getting ready for Easter confe ssion.
Half of the community are, to a certain extent
tranquilized and but in expectation. And
when one-half of a city is affected thus, the
other half cannot help feeling it. For we are
vnrtioAs at social and rnasnaiie pa~Nr-whiela
no Christian laborsr can afford to disregard.
When our Roman Catholic and Episcopal
friends are all of them notifying the flesh
and cultivating the spirit, depend upon it the
Quakers atthe opposite extreme will be enjoy
ing revelations and edifyings of uncommon
worth with singular satisfaction.
lind, moreover, upon inquiry, that the
weeks included in an average Lent are the
ones in which most men of care and business
can turn aside and take account OF spiritual
stock. And there seems 10 be no reason what
ever why our Protestant churches should not
return again to the graceful and profitable
| usage which should never have been torsaken.
A protest against the cOrruptons of the
Roman Church should never have necessi.
tated the disuse of her usages, that were at
once pure anu proHtaD'e we ulu mol give up
her Lords Day. We are slowly but surely re-
| turning to her Christmas Day. And now, hav.
| ing had large experience in the necessity of
| revival seasons, protracted meetings, and
| weeks of prayer, why not set apart the forty
| days of Lent, and call them the Sabbath of the
year, and in them tchasten ourselves 10 salu
tary moderatons and temperances, which
shall be not merely mechanical fast from
meat and addiction to fish, but shall be a pru-
Mug Of those great sucking sprouts that thrive
near the ground, in order that, for little sea-
son, the fruit-bearers may receive more sap,
and set their blossoms with the spring, and
bring forth fruit of we'll ordered life, and oil
undying hope ever Frightening in beauty?