Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1892-03-13
FROM AN EPISCOPAL STANDPOINT.

UeeQ De something OuI OulJ d III hoiiOSs
a worse than useless practice continued
after the spirit is dead.
But to those who observe 1t in the
right way, Lent is something very real
and precious, symbol, an assistance,
an opportunity; a symbol OF penltent
struggle against sin, an assistance TO
spiritual education, an opportunity OF
drawing nearer to God.
The due observance Of Lent requires
some measure Of fasting or abstinence.
Fasting is at the best a means, never an
end. It's purpose is to free one from the
thrall of habitual gluttony or excess.
Lent should be marked by some meas
ure of withdrawal from the ordinary
and permissible amusementS OF life.
Not because these things ara sinful, but
as tonic change. BE sure, however,
TO put something in the place OF what is
given up. Many people refrain from
attending places of amusement, or give
up, during this period, their accustomed
game of cards. Then the time hangs
heavily upon their hands, and their
hearts go to the theatre or the card
party il the body does not. They should
substitute for what is surrendered some
thing higher and more improving.
Whenever thing is given up for the
sake of sef-discipline something must
be put in the empty place.
During Lent do something for others.
This is peculiarly cOnSecrated time,
and during it opportunity can be taken
for doing things which one could not
keep up continuously. In this way 1t
can be made an active service and not
negative restraint. And the fuller one
is of active services going out of him,
the safer he is from evil thoughts and
temperS coming in.
The purpose of the true Lent is to Sc
cure self-maStery through Self-denial.
As has been said by another, Sacrifice
for the sake of sacrifice is valueless.
God desireth mercy and not sacrifice"
But love which is the fulfilling of the
law does not come TO any OF us voluntar-
lily and spontaneously. 1t comes as the
result Of sacrifice which we all hate
and shrink from and which is yet es-
sential to our higher being. This sac
rifce is three fold, of ourselves to our
selves, of ourselves for the sake OF
brother men, of our will to the will OF
God In securing this three !old Sacri-
fee a true Lent is of infinite import
ance. Il. Ii. SWoPE,
Rector St. Mathews Episcopal Church.
THE UNITED PRESBYTERIAN VIEW.
The Fast, known as Lent, is undoubt-
eddy Of very ancient origin, but the New
Testament affords us no satisfactory
evidence that It was appointed either
by Christ or any OF his inspired wit
nesses, as an established ordinance in
the christian church. As it must rest
solely on the authority OF the church
for It's existence; and as God alone has
authority TO established the fixed ordi-
nances Of his worship. so its continued
observance must be regarded only as
form OF "wll-worship, which, however
honestly rendered, must be regarded as
OF doubtful acceptance. No matter how
it may be kept, if it lack the Divine APP
pointment, the reply may be made, "ln
vain do they worship me, teaching for
doctrines the commandments OF men,"
Fast and prayer are right, and by no
means TO be neglected, but we must dis
tnguiSh between personal duty and
a public ordinance, made to be binding
on all people, without regard 10 the
circumstances in which they are placed.
j. T. MCCLURE,
Pastor United Presbyterian Church.
ANOTHER PRESBYTERIAN VIEW.
In reply to your question permit me
to say that PresbyterianS do not keep
Lent or any stated periods or days de-
termined by calendar as fasts. Per-
haps, however, a quotation from their
DIRECTORY of Worship" may be desir-
able:
/. There is no day under the Gospel
commanded to be kept holy except the
Lords day, which is the Christian Sab
bath.
.. Nevertheless, to observe days Of
fasting and thanksgiving, as eXtraordi-
nary diSpensations of Divine Providence
may direct, we judge both Scriptural
and National.
3. Fasts and thanksgivings may be OBJ
served by individual Christians, or fam
lilies, in private; by particular congre-
cation, by number OF congregations
contiguous TO each other, by the con-
gregatons under the care OF Presby-
terry or Synod, or by all the congrega-
tions OF our church.
4. It must be left to the judgment
and discretion of every Christian and
family TO determine when ii is proper
to observe a private fast or thanksgiv-
ing, aud 10 the church session to deter
mine for particular congregations, and
TO Presbyteries or Synods to determine
for large districts. When IL is deemed
expedient that fast or thanksgiving
shall be general, the call for them must
be Judged Of by the Synod or General
Assembly. And, il, at any time the
civil power should think it proper to
appoint q fast or thankSg living, it is the
duty OF the ministers and people of our
communion, as we live under a christian
government, to pay all due respect TO
the same.
5. There shall be public worship upon
all such days; and let prayers. psalms,
portions Of Scripture to be used, and
sermons, be all in a special manner
adapted to the occasion.
8. on Fast Day, let the minister point
out the authority and providence call
ing TO the observance thereof; and let
him spend more than usual portion of
time in solemn prayer, particular con-
ieSsion OF sin, especially OF the sins Of
Of the day and place, with their aggra-
vations' which have brought down the
judgment of heaven. And let the whole