The record-union., 1894-02-02
EPISCOPAL.
Address by Rector Ottmann to the St.
PauPs Pensioners.

Address by Rector Ottmann to the ST.
Paul's Parishioners.
In the January number of the Parish
Times Rev. q. a. Ottmann, rector of st.
PauPs Church, thus appeals to his flock:
Dear Brethren: The dear season of Lent
is again with US, and it is to me pleas
ure, as well as duty, to send to you
words of loving bidding to its careful OBJ
servance. The milestones along journey
tell us that we are nearing the end. So
the ''milestoneS'' of Lent, which come to
US year by year, tell us that we are near
ing the end of llfe'S journey, and bid us
to make ready for it. When one makes a
long journey, he finds, at convenient in
tervals, places provided for rest and re-
freshment, and they are always welcome
to the traveller. And the dear church has
provided places for rest from the busy
whirl of life, and refreshment of the soul.
One OF the chief of these is the Lenten
season. l urge you, at this time, to a
careful keeping of this Lent. The ends
to be sought at this time are: TO get nearer
to Christ in mind and heart and life; to
know Him better, to love Him more sin
cerely, and to obey Him more implicitly.
To conquer the sins of selfishness in
difference and worldliness, which, in one
shape or other, are the special enemies of
the spiritual life. We all need to do this.
And to aid US the church provides special
services, more frequent celebrations Of
the Holy Communion, and helpful in
struction.
None so pressed with care or labor that
they cannot come more frequently to
Gods house than they are accustomed to
come. Ere another year we may have
been called from labor. Shall we not
make ready to enter into rest? God
grant to you all helpful Lent. and
through it bring you TO a joyful Easter,
ing.
FASTING Is A MEANS OF GRACE.
So the church has regarded it from the
beginning. From apostolic times she has
observed the forty days exclusive Of
Sundays next preceding the commemo-
ration of our Lords resurrection as
special season of fasting, humiliation and
prayer. On that season we are now en-
tering, and at this time are about to en-
gage in its solemn services. Every years
experience adds a fresh testimony to the
wisdom of this arrangement, by which
the church is brought down upon her
knees, in the dust OF a true humiliation,
in view of sin, its guilt and power; in
view of the Savior's suffering that He
might redeem the world from its bondage
and penalty.
JOnn the BaptlSt ana MS ClSclpIeS
tasted. Our blessed Lord, in that me-
morable fast of forty days, by which He
consecrated Himself to His public min
istry, has sanctioned the practice and
proposed it for our imitation, as suit
able preparation for extraordinary re-
ligious services. In anticipation of the
practice which was to obtain in His
Church through all ages, as duty, inn
mediately connected with a personal
blessing, he gave directions to his dis
ciples touching the mode of it's perform
ance; instructing them to avoid, rather
than effect, the ostentatious display so
common among the Jews. And this ex-
ercse was matter of sufficient import
ance to be subject of our Lords teach
ing and practice, so may we infer, with
out any direct and explicit command,
that it is a matter worthy the devout OBJ
servance of all who profess and call them
selves his followers.
SERVICES FOR LENT.
Ash Wednesday-Holy Communion, 10
a. NJ; evening prayer. $50 P. NJ.
Week Days-Monday, p. NJ; Tues
day, P. NJ; W Wednesday, Holy Com
munion, 10 A. NJ: Thursday, 4 P. NJ; Fri
day, 1880 P. NJ; Saturday, 4 P. NJ.