Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1896-02-19

begins the Lenten season, it is interesting
to study the origin and object of this Gus
tom and note whether it is being observed
in true and helpful way,
The fast of Lent Ga Saxon word signify
ing the SPRING. is of 40 days continuance,
during the six weeks which precede Easter,
this latter day occurring on the first Sun
day following the first full moon after the
vernal equinox. As the Sundays are festi-
walls and must be excepted, only 36 days
are left, and to make up this deficiency,
four days were added at the beginning /;
by whom the addition was made is uncer-
tain, but most writer's ascribe it to Gregory
the Great. This annual fast of 40 days
has been observed from very early times
before the fourth century-in the Christian
church in commemoration of Christ's 40
days fast and as season of special peni-
tence and preparation for the Eatser FEAST
1t was made obligatory by Orthodox Greek
and Oriental churches and by Roman Cath
Ole, Anglican and Lutheran churches; it
is also made profitable exercise by many
members of other churches.
That this Lenten fast is Of ancient date
is noticed by the fact that writer's Of prim-
tive days spoke Of the custom as well
known and established one which had been
sanctioned by apostolic authority. This
season is also mentioned in the Apostolic
Canons, code of laws which certainly
dates from u very early age. eff" says
the 6lst canon, "any bishop, priest,
deacon, reader, or singer, do not keep the
holy fast of Lent, 40 days before Easter,
or the Wednesdays and Fridays, let him
be deposed, if he be not hindered by some
bodily infrmity; but if he be a layman,
let him be suspended from communion"
Ash Wednesday derives its name from
the ashes which in the ancient church were
at this time thrown upon the penitents
whose sins had debarred them from partic-
ipating in her services. The first Sunday
in Lent is Quadragesima- forty,
the fourth is Mid-Lent, the fifth, Passion
Sunday, and the sixth Palm Sunday.
Among the reasons which induced the
church in primitive days to set apart this
special season, the first would be "that
having the subject of their Lords suffer-
ings thus brought more wildly before
them, they might be induced to mourn his
loss with greater earnestness." Realizing
how easy it was to neglect duty for which
no special time had been set apart for its
performance, it seemed wise to fix stated
time in which to especially fast and pray.
Another reason was with reference to
two classes of individuals who were then
to be received into the church. One class
was that of the Catechumens, who had
been preparing for baptism. AS Easter
was the fixed and solemn time for Their
admission to this rite, the church tasted
with them as preparatory step to theil
commencing a religious life; the other
class was the Penitents, who had once been
cut off from their sins, but after having
completed their time of probation they were
generally ab8oIved ana resdAittod at the
time of the Easter festival.
Many different ideas as to the proper
observance Of this season are advanced.
AS it is evident that a temporary retire
ment from the pleasures and the hustle Of
busy life is helpful and almost necessary
to the physical health Of all, so should this
40 days of meditation and prayer enable
the spirit to throw off the worldliness
which has been almost insensibly growing
upon it and strengthen the soul for the
onward course. Self-examination, self
denial, charity, and all those virtues and
graces which go to make up holy and
beautiful lite here below are to be espe-
cially cultivated. "All religious feelings
therefore are kindled up, and our habits OF
prayer and devotion are quickened into
exercise. And in this active, busy age,
when outward excitement has taken the
place of earnest, holy contemplation, how
necessary becomes any discipline, which
can thus withdraw us from the things Of
time and sense!"