Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1872-02-14
LENT

is a period of weeks duration. set apart as
time for fasting, humiliation and prayer,
by the Christian church-as a suitable prep
aration for the joyous festival of Easter,
which commentaries the resurrection of our
Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
The Roman church and some of the Protes-
tant communities maintain that il was al
ways a fast of 40 days, and of APOSTOLIC in
stitutlon. Others maintain that it is only an
ecclesiastical appointment, and variously OBJ
served in different branches of. the church.
both as to duration and strictness Bishop
Taylor, Morton, Daille and Moulin and other
learned men think that it was originally
fast of 40 hours--from the hour of giving
up the ghost, by our Lord, until the Every
early in the morning of His resurrection,
and that this solemn season gradually was
extended, until it became fixed to 40 days.
In the early days of the church the manner
Of observing it among the piously disposed
was to abstain from food daily, until the
evening, and then only slight re fresh
ment was permitted. 1t was not considered
important whether that repast consisted of
flesh or other food, provided only that ii was
partaken with sobriety and moderation. In
creased self-denial, and devotion, and the ex-
ercise of more abundant charity of every
kind, were the important elements, and there
were alwe Us joined to additional self-denials
and more earnest spiritual examinations.
1t was also habit to make the retrench-
ments OF expenses in living, during he sea-
sou, means of affording enlarged alms-giv-
ing. What was spared of personal indul-
gence was given to the poor, and the leasure
hours taken from tn cir usual avocations was
employed in visiting the sick and prisoners,
aud in other works of mercy in reconciEng
differences and entertaining strangers
No prosecutions for criminal actions were
brought during this season in the Courts,
which might lead to corporal punishment
or torture. The churches were always open
and thronged, day by day, with penitents
earnestly lameuting past sins and imploring
pardon from the Most High. All public
games and stage plays were prohibited by
Imperial Edict; and the joyous celebration
of marriages, birthday anniversaries and
festivals of all sorts were interdicted IN
the Eastern church there were four lenten
seasons. The first commenced ia the middle
Of he
custom, the third the week after Whitsun-
day and the fourth in August. These varied
in duration and strictness-from tive to six
weeks, exclusive Sundays, always, and Sat
urdays in part--where wine aud oil might
be used, which were not permitted in other
days. Modern times have greatly modified
methods for spiritual advaneements instead |
Every christian body recognizes the necessi
ty of extra time for religious use and profit
and all appropriate it itfully and at the dis
erection of their several past or leaders
The church loves the sold way" which
are better.
In st. Pauls Church in this city abund-
ant provision for the proper observance of
this season is made this year, where will be
dali y service at $50 every morning, with
night service and lectures on Wedne sdays
and Fridays, through the entire season, as
well as the Holy-days, which occur. Those
who attended these services last year will
rejoice in the opportunity to repeat the en-
joyment and profit duriug the present Lent.