Dodge City times. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1876-1892, 1886-10-14
FASTING.

ssHowbeit this KIND goeth not out but BY fasung
and prayer" MAJ, II q.
Fasting as a religious Observance dates from the
earliest historic timee In Armenia, Asia Minor,
Cappadocia, Irania, Palestine and Scythia it was
held in high esteem. The Chinese carried 1t to
great excess. The Egyptians considered 1t ne
cessary to fast in order to be initiated into the
mysteries of Isis and Osiris. The Greeks tasted
before consulting the Oracle Trophonius. Moses
tasted forty days and forty nights before he re-
ceived the law from God on Mt Sinai. In sam
all solemn acts are preceded by fasting. Jesus
prepared for his conflict with Satan IN the wilder
ness by fasting. The Apostles always prepared
for any great event Ly fasting and prayer. Both
the Roman and Greek Catholic churches have OBJ
served fasts from their beginning. The Episco-
palians, of England make provision for 1t, though
they do not give it the form Of a command. The
Scotch Presbyterians provide for fast the day
before each communion service. The Methodist
Episcopal church provides that the Friday be-
fore each Quarterly meeting ehall be observed as
day Of fasting and prayer, and that q record OF
it be kept upon the class papers,"
Now what warrant ie there in reason and in
scripture for this observance so universal among
the devout Of all ages and all religions! Have we
all been blinded by superstition. or have those
who follow the revelation Of nature discovered
sufficient reason for their practice! And have
those who read the Bible discovered there that
the practice receives Divine sanction'
! First what warrant in reason!
1. Ihave studied text books and consulted phys
icians as to the physiological effects Of fasting
upon the body, and there is no disagreement in
. e. xor1v OH IN
| for the body
| O. 1t is such discipline OF the powers al
strengthens the spiritual nature. keeps the body
in subsection to the spirit and prepares us to per
fectly command all our powers. As the athlete II
trained for the race we should discipline oul
powers for conflict with sin. This is no argument
to the man "whose God is his belly it can only
be received by him who believes that his spir
itual nature is the better part Of him.
g. 1t is help to prayer and close selfexamina
| ton.
| 4. 1t is help to closer intimacy and comnun
| ion with God.
| There was an element Of truth in Greek ide.
of fasting before consulting the Oracle Tropho
| MUS Also in the Egyptian idea Of fasting befor'
being initiated into the mysteries Of Isis ant
Osiris 1t was the same in principle that led tot
fasts of Moses, Elijah and Jesus.
Next we will show that it is scriptural.
l. 1t was a custom among the Jews and had re
ceived Divine sanction when Christ came.
e. He and His di c;ples practiced it
8. He taught them how to observe it and TO
what motive saying THY father which seeth il
secret ehall reward thee openly"
4. Certain evil spirits cannot be cast out "bu
by prayer and fasting" five would rise to tn
full measure of our power we must use all tn
means God has provided. II we would cast tn
evil spirits ont of our own hearts we must fas
and pray If every Christian in this city womb
prepare for Christian work by fasting and prayer
there would be hundrede of converts in less tina
one year.
The above lie synopsis Of the sermon defivere
by Rev. G. Lowther, in the NJ. E. church, Sunda
morning last.