Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1892-03-02

This is Ash Wednesday, aud the
beginning OF Lent, or an annual fast
OF 40 days observed by several
churches. The Catholics maintain
that this fast is of either Apostolic
origin, or that it originated directly
from Jesus Christ, who tasted for 40
days in the wilderness prior to the
day Of which tits recorded in Holy Writ
that His Majesty the Devil transported
him to the top of high mountain and,
indicating all the cities and towns,
and palaces, and all their contents,
and pretty women, offered to give
them to HIM If he Christi would bow
down and worship him (His Satanic
Majesty. The Professionals consider
it to be an ecclesiastical institution.
But no matter whence derived or
how instituted, the fast is quite gen
orally observed, or supposed to be
observed, by the Roman Catholic and
Episcopalians, at any rate.
At first, the Catholics were expected
to mortfy their flesh in various ways,
to abstain from eating as much as one
!ull meal, and to refrain from even
tasting flesh, eggs, cheese and wine.
The exclusive use of "dry food" dur
ing all the fast days, and entire abst,-
nence from food on Holy Thursday
were also prescribed. BY degrees,
however, after the schsm which res
suited in the establishment of the
Western or Roman Church, the use
of all kinds of food, except flesh, eggs,
cheese and wine, was allowed, and bv
the end of the 1lih century even the
use of these was permitted. flesh alone
being excepted.
In the present discipline of the
Roman Catholic Church only one me al
day is allowed, and at this the use
Of flesh meat is prohibited. Custom
allows a slight reflection, not exceed
ing two ounces, in the morning, anC
a collation. not exceeding eight ounces
in the evening. This general rule is,
however, modified to suit the neces-
sites of climate and occupation. But
fish aud flesh are never allowed during
Lent at the same meal.
In nearly all the Protestant
churches of continental Europe, Lent
is still penitential season; and the
same may be said OF Canada, Mexico
and South America. In the United
States, however, the case is different
The Roman Catholic church is not
established; it is ouly on a missionary
footing and its discipline is much
relaxed. SO with the other churche.
to greater or lesser degree.
In Europe, South America, Mexico
and Canada, as well as in New Orleans
and St. Luus, in the United States
Ash Wednesday is preceded by thu
dissipatons of the Carnival. Thu
continues for two to four days, ant
reaches it's maxlmum on Shrove Tues
, day. On that day all restrictive leg
is!a,on for anything short of actua
, crime is practically dead letter, ant
| persons walk the streets, single or II
numbers, masked or disguised &C
cord!ng TO individual taste. In New
Orleans, for instance, this demonetra
ton may take the shape of the nov
generally famous pageants sometime
: known as the arrival of the Mysti
, krewe Of Comus," or an illus traitor
of Sponsors "Faorie Queene," G
r some other subject lending itself t
t illustration by tableaux vivants. Ties
a pageants generally end with gran
| mask ball and banquet, which Ca,
i. forth the very creme de la creme {
society, and cost their few promoter
as much as 100000.
y In poorer countries the public de
!. monstr atoms ara limited to boisterou
though no. violent demeanor, such a
the blowing, by biow-guns, of fiou
on passers by, the throwing of balls {