Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1879-03-06
Alexaudria Oazette
THURSDAY EVENING, MARCH 6.
Lent Regulations.
DANvILLE, Va.

DEAR SIR: As many desire to know what
the Episcopal church meaus by the holy season
of Lent, aud 10 what its keeping differs from
, that OF non Protestant churches, 1 send you
, the following sriicIe, containing the substance
t of the instructions which | gave to my own
congregation 10 reference to it. From these
! its nature may be seen.
Lent is the spriug revival season appointed
By the church. as Advent is that of the fall.
It continues 40 days, beginning on Ash Wed.
nesday, which is csled the "hoad OF Lant,
and ending on Easter eve. The Sundays inc =
. Guided 10 that period aTe 10 but arc no part CT
Lent.
The following are the special duties which
deyolvo upon the cburchu men during that sea-
son, They are not regulations OF csuoulosl au
thority, out are drawn from the usage OF The
church and the principles cuunclsted 10 the
several services fer tia! ssaso0. These duties
are no. to c,ase at E,ster For the man who
has kept the last .,lhfu! to Gcd and his
church and bis Own soul, will have grown 10
arace-io weanodness from the world and 10
| hubble desire to be true child Of God 10 ell
| things. Thus better fjuodation for holler
! life having been lived during the short season
| the churchman Will go forward on his Journey
| of life fe- auuther year on much higher level,
aud continue to riso upwards IN nearness TO tho
example OF bis Saviour until these special Gu
ries b,coms the commoa duties OF bis daily
| Christian life. So that sfter every Easter q
| true churchmau rises higher and lives nearer
to God.
| l, Bear ever ir miod that Isn't is au annual
| revival season of the CHURCH year. You must
! therefore DO active and earnest ir promoting
| trus revival of hcnesJ in your own heart and
| 10 the hearts e1d lives OF otbcr chrs:laoe, and
also faithful u trying to iaduoe Sinners to turn
unto God, through Christ, aad be saved.
2. Observe tho season as solenn Fast to
| God. A Fast is such measure ct abstinence
as is more especially suited to extraordinary
| acts of devotion. There is no merit ia F.s:loG,
though much good may coms from It. Its OBJ.
jeot is to sub .ct the appettes, desires aud 10
cIiratious OF The natura! man 10 sucb prlVatlou
as will weaken theit poTer and make them
| tame and soverosble by tie spirit OF holiness
| 10 the new man. Thus tho body, With Its pas
sions, thoughts aad Affections, will nlolster to
the rule sod the growth OF the Spiritual lite,
which will, now. bs tho true lifo OF man. Each
must Judge 10 what exteut a5stipenca is nccas-
sary for gaining tho desired eud Every oac
should deny himself 10 something, Thioh prl.
7ation he will feel enough to remind him
strongly cf tho holy season through which nc
is passing, aud OF tho fact that he s noT soioiy
| engaged in working out his salvation. he Is
| seeking, through Christ, 70 have the holy
spirit to abide within 50 .bas he eau truly serve
God in purity OF heart end holiness of life
Whatever is saved 10 rloney b7 this Fast, should
90 through the alms plate to the church, end
| time saved, shonId bo given to church wcrk.
| 3. Attend punclual!y all week day and Sun.
| day church eervices ualess hIoGered by pro!i-
| deaoe. Prepare for blessing ct each service
/ by meditation, sef-examinatlon and closet
prayer, before leaving tone Have the heart
I wrought up to feel the need of those blessings
| for which the congregation will pray, that you
may receive personal as we'll as ooDgrega.
tioos answer to the prayere. Durirg service.
| do not look around or back, but let tho whole
attention be given to your devotion.
4. Set aport at least oOo hour OF every Cay,
10 the early morning if possible, for practically
reading the Bible, for thorough sclt-eXamica'
| ton, confession of sios and earnest prayer 10
God. Impress the heart With the feeling OF
| Gods presence With you thero and Keep the
| impression firmly fixed all tho dag. henorz,
a portion cf tho Bible every morning upon
! which the thoughts can dwell Mt leisure mo-.
| nents during tn, day, 80 as to keep out sinful
thoughts.
S The Lsnten Fast calls for increased gifts
for aims missions and other chuton OBJECTS,
for ireer sid to the poor and needy; TOR visit
ing the sick, sfhcted and s)rrowng, aud re-
lieving and comforting them 10 their trials t1r
reading aud praying with those 10 troupe ana
adycrsty aud for such social visiting OF trlepcs.
the suffering aud tho stranger, as may cheer
then, or otherwise do !hon good. lodl1cru.
iuste and Sunday visiting are not advisable
during this season.
6. This Fast calls for Increased earaostness iu
irving to pay your debts, whether they arc due
in money, kindness. attention. respect, obsdi'
ence or good will; for reconciliation with your
brethren, if there is any oodness or variance.
feeling that you may hevo been the ohender, and
thus noriifYng your pride 10 seeking tho re:
storstiou of good feeling; for the forgiveness OF
all ioiuries; for reeyiog all burdens from the
oppressed; for visiting tho;o whom yoa nave
sighted, and in gcocrsl, for uodoing and re-
moving auy set or appeara1c3 which you may
have done against interest, character or sensl6ll.
ities Of apv Ose. Ii also ellis for beginning
With parents to keep their chidrea at home on
Sunday evenings aud iGstIuc. asd improve them
and train tten Ia their du.y as members OF the
ohprot: also to teach complete tlal Obedience
(which is the heaviest Of debts due t7 parents
| ~ their children. Thus can you c1me to tho
EssIer Feast With clean hauds aad pure heart,
| ogioe 20 man anything bu. that love which can
never be fully paid while there is an opportunity
! existing to do good.
7 Avoid, Guriog Lent, all places c! ealety,
Ifsatiyity and frivoty, dioines. evening and
| pleasures parties; places OF temptation, vain
show. general society to great de7o,ioo, secaial
4 em pog ments; reform sinful ana improper haoits
4 and Hhstever is amiss 10 your works aod ways
1 and their appearance. LIE: your associations
/ be with the serious and sedate and those whom
vou are trying to lead to Christ. Lay aside
oove reading, and read only such books IS vii
/ instruct the mind and elevate the heart 10 love
Ito God and man. Avoid all harsh words, al
= scoIdiog, fre,tiog aud uukind oensure. La
i7our food be simple and digestible a1d partak
eu 10 moderation. Let Ash Wednesday anS
iGood Friday be strict fasts, aud those of Wed
uesdays and Fridays, during Lent, be ttrlcte
than those on other days. Let your sppate
he nlsin and simple. Aad les the whole work
sct and manner Of your life clearly show yo'
have 90 continuing city hers-Sut sesk one t.
ooup