Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-02-22
A LENTEN EXHORTATIoS.

Bishop Arthur Cleveland Coke. Of
Western New York, has Issued the fol-
lowing pastoral:
My Reverend and Beloved Breth-
ren:-To prepare myself for the duties
which are ours IN common as pastors Of
the flock OF Christ, during the coming
forty days of Lent, l have Withdrawn
for short seasoR from my diocese,
aud am recovering from threatened sx-
haustion when / write. Hoping to be
with you again very soon. write. in
'ew words, as token of my affection
and esteem, and to express some con-
victions which have forced themselves
upon me recently asef no little impor-
lance to ourselves and TO the fiocks
committed to our care.
"FIrs,-l am convinced of the peril
| Gus disposition Of our times TO treat our
Christian duties on the base of an ex.
pertinent how near We can live with an
uDgodly world, rather than on the
principle OF a walk made as close as
possible with God
'SecOnd-Hence, even in our Chris
tan Year, we magnify the social privi-
leges OF our festive seasons above those
which are spiritual, and we reduce cur
days and weeks Of discipline very little
below the mark OF ordinary commerce
with the world.
"Third-Gross inconsistencss result,
in which the world is not slow to find
occasion for expressions Of contempt
aud mockery. My hrethren, Gays St.
James, these things ought not 80 TO be.
"Fourth-Let me suggest. among
other matters which you will be ready
10 pless upon the consciences of your
people, that the Lenten season 10 a
proper time for a return to neglected
duties. as 1t is written: Remember from
whence thou art fallen, and repent and
do the first works.
"Fifth.---A neglect Of family prayers
is the underlying source OF innumable
evils IN many households. Where a
/ blessing is never invoked upon family
| by all its members kneeliDg before
God. what wonder if blessings are
withheld? When we reflect that rev.
erent use even Of the Lord s prayer only
would preserve family from the curse
which rests on prayerless household,
surely there can be no excuse for neg
lect because of the proverbial pressure
aud hurry Of the world 3 affairs.
"Sixth---.The neglect of private read
ing of the Scriptures is the rather to be
censured, because this prayer. book di-
yides daily portion for every Chris
tan, out of which something should be
selected in the busiest life for the daily
food of the immortal spirit.
"Seventh-Preparatlon for the Holy
Eucharist is painfully superficial. Or
this the pious DR.. Pussy made especial
complaint as almost neutralizing the
advantages of our more frequent cele'
brations. Let me commend 10 your
attention the importance of more ire
quently reading both exhortstlons
entire, and Of never neglectiug to read
through the first paragraph Of the first
exbortation at least once month.
This seems to be made imperative by
the formula My duty is to exhort you
ETC.
Il derive great comfort from my con
fidence that our recent solemnltles IL
the Cathedral have drawn our hearts
together in hOlier relations than ever
before: and / leave all other sugges
tons to YOUR own devout reflections
with prayers that we may strive 10
pelher for the salvation of souls more
earnestly than ever has been done. Ii
Christ, your loving brother.