The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1876-02-18

and the faror of the apostolic See,
Bishop of Wheeling, to the clergy and
Faithful u,der or charge, heath and
6eaedictioH.
DEARLY BELOVED BRETHREN:
At the approach of the holy time of
Lent. we wish to address to you a few
worGs of exhortation, and to prescribe
the regulations to be observed in our
Diocese, during these forty days of solemn
fast.
Faithful to the Apostolic traditions,
the Church calls upon all her children to
prepare their souls, by more fervent and
frequent prayer, and by works OF
penance, 10 celebrate the passion and
death of their divine Lord. Knowing
the precious graces that flow from the
| devout commemoration OF these sacred
mysteries of our redemption. she strives,
| with all the earnestness of maternal al
lection, to dispose her children for the
abundant reception of these graces. Let
Us heed her voice, dearly beloved breth-
rem and determine 20 spend this holy
season as becomes her children.
The most important duty imposed on
us all, during the time OF Lent, is the
obligation of abstinence and fasting.
How this Guty is to be discharged, is pre-
scribed by the rules which we shall give
below.
Works of self denial, especially by
fasting, have been in all ages regarded as
among the most powerful means of dis
arming the justice Of God, and securing
His mercy. Sin comes from following
the inclinations of corrupt nature, and
ndulgtng its forbidden desires. The
remedy of sin and its preventive are
found in thwarting these dlsOrderly crav-
ings and retrenchlng even lawful pleas
urrs. This we are taught by the words
and conduct Of all Gods holy servants,
under both the Old and New law; nay
more. by the teaching and example OF
our Divine Lord Himself. This doctrine
! of bodily modification meets indeed with
| opposition from those who strive to tone
down the gospel severity; to smooth the
road to heaven; TO widen it beyond the
bounds set by Christ; and to substitute
the flowers OF pleasure for the thorns OF
trlbulation and sdtiering. Not such.
brethren. be your spirit, else ysu follow
not in the purpled foot marks oi your
Cruciticd Head.
To deny ourselves what nature Graves;
TO perform acts Of modification and pen
ance Is not in itself pleasant. But surely
no disciple of Christ expects to receive
the promised crown, unless he denies
himself takes up his cross daily and Iol-
lows his Divine Master. See what hard
ships the valiant soldier endures IN de-
terse of his count VS. honor, or the pur-
sujt of worldly fame Shall we, soldiers
of Christ. show ourselves talnt-hearted
and cowardly IN the battle which we are
pleged to wage against the enemies VINO
would rob us of our immortal honors
These enemies. We are told toy the Be
loved Disciple are. the world, the flesh,
anu the devil. The world spreads be-
fore us its deceptive pleasures and
en;icinr gaieties; the flesh, with
! svren-voice, Is ever begging the lndul-
/ .cnce OF the baser passions; whilst the
/ devil, as St. Peter assures rs, Is al
/ ways go ng about seeking whom he may
drvuur-never idle III his wicked work
of picturing To the sons OF men, n he did
OF OLD to even the Son of God, the tas-
cinatluS but false attractions OF sin.
Now We shall hope in vain 10 conquer
these enemies of our salvation, If we do
not retrench worldly amuSementS, NOR
tify our rebelious flesh, and seek, in
PRAYER and union with God, that super
natural strength by which al,ne tie
. In
: the victorious arms, which have always
been used in the Christian warfare.
But especially in Lent are you eNbort'
ed to cast aside these worldly amuSe
rnents. which, though not In themseIve;
SINFUL. are incompatible with the penn
tential spirit of the holy season, and the
Christening feelings which the meditation
of the Saviour's sutterings should awaken
Nay, works positively painful rs pri'
walton of food in kind or quality, are
strictly erjoined upon all who are phys
ically able to perform them. Bear IN
mind. brethren, that you are sinners, and
that therefore YOU must do penance, else
you shall perish eternslly. Such Is the
express declaration OF the Son OF God,
Remember, too, that you are at all times
liable to sin, and that you must therefore
curb and crush by sell-denial the pas
sions which expose you to it. Forget
not that your hope of sharing in the glory
of Christ can safely rest on no other foun-
dation except participation of his suffer
ings. Do not lose sight ofthe principle
laid down by our Divine Lard-that the
kingdom OF heaven suffereth violence
and that the violent-that is, they who dc