The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1893-03-31
FAST DAY.

We find many comments in our eX-
changes relating to this annual spring
observance-or want of observance
called out primarily by the unique dOcu
ment issued last week by Gov. Russell of
Massachusetts, who said
WHEREAS, Our pious ancestors es-
tablished the custom of setting apart by
public authority day of fasting, huml-
iation and prayer to God, that the whole
people might thereon. in public and pri
vate, unite in such holy service and de-
vution to their Creator as the day, alike
in its name and purpose, suggested;
and
WHEREAS, Long continued usage
now requires the annual appointment of
such day, although it has ceased to be
devoted generally to the purpose of its
origin, but is appropriated and used as a
holiday for purposes at variance with its
origin, its name and It's solemn character;
and
WHEREAS, This day is recognized in
the statutes of the commonwealth, and
set apart as a holiday, and recent legisla-
tive action has decided that no change is
to be made in regard to it; it therefore
becomes my official duty now to appoint
a day of fasting, humiliation and prayer.
Accordingly, with the advice and con-
sent of the Council. do, hereby, appoint
Thursday, the 9th of April next, as the
day to be devoted to such purposes.
at is for the people of the common
wealth to determine whether this day
shall be observed in conformity with the
high and holy purposes for which it has
been instituted and appointed, or whetn-
er it shall be formal fast by proclama-
ton, to which the great body of the com
munity of a Christian State gives neither
heed, support nor service"
This was inspired by recently pro-
posed legislative and other action in the
Bay state. AS will be recalled, during
the last year there has been DECIDED
effort on the part of many religious
people to abolish the day, on the ground
| that it is not observed in its spirit, and
that it is mostly given up to games, the
base ball season always opening on that
day.
Speaking of this the Free Press re-
marks: at must be admitted that in
| Vermont az in Massachusetts, and other
| States in which the observance of the
| day has changed materially from what it
was when the custom was first estab-
| lished. The cOlonists who settled in
New England were not only of a strong
| ly religious nature but the circumstances
which attended the institution of this
| festival were well calculated to empha-
size and intensity the religious features
| of the observance. The dangers which
beset our forefathers on every hand i'm
parted a significance and meaning to the
| day which it could not by any possibility
take on at the present stage of the prog
ress and development of our country,
and only some dire national calamity
! like war, pestilence or widespread de-
struction by the elements could bring
| the people to observe the day with any
of the ardor and intense devotion which
characterized the Fast day observance OF
| DID,"
We submit that one important fact
seems to be omitted from all comments,
and that is the TINE chosen for "fast
day." The Governors seem determined
to avoid Good Friday in the selection OF
their date, and usually appoint some
other day in other than Holy Week, this
year right amid the joys of Easter weel'
This fact initiates against the obser
vance of the day, with any heart, by
Episcopal people and Roman Catholics
a no inconsiderable part of our popula
ton. These two churches have just KEEP
the Lenten fast, have observed Coco
Fridays fast, and are now called upon x
fast another day arbitrarily by the
state governors. The difference OF ont
week by those who do not care partic
ularly for the Church Kalendar would
word no hardships, while if the Chic
Magistrates of New England should dat,
"fast day. on "Good Friday or eveI
on "Maundy Thursday" their "day'
would be sure to be religiously kept b!
two churches and all their adherents. a
least. 1t occurs to us that the "Christ
ian State" better wheel into line with II
centuries of Christian usage rather thai
abolish the spring humiliation, whethe
it believes in it or not.