Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-03-08
What Lent Is.

fThe Observations OF a Philosophical
Friend OF Ours)
"a good man will have a care OF Ms
meat and diet"-Son OF Slrach.
The Lenten season has so much OF
good sense and high manhood about II
that it Is being more or less approved
and adopted by all Christians. Indeed
~ we rightly understand the philosophy
Of the old Stoics and Epicureans, they
were quito familiar with Its WISDOM
The life OF the Stoics was one OF con-
slant self-deniai for virtues sake. me
life of the Epicureans was so ordered
and governed according to law as 70
derive the greatest possible happiness
and delight from the gifts OF God. Both
honored manhood by submission to law.
A great authority says: Adversely Is
virtues season. SO the season OF SELL
discipline and self-denial is for virtue
highest reach.
Abstinence from food, or fasting
throws down the gauntlet TO the
world, the flesh. and the devii
that is in US; assumes the side OF the
Shirt boldly AGAINST the flesh in the old
war. IL was a smart thing In the old
devil to make his grand attack OF the
carnival along the whole line OF piety
and devotion, to storm the gate or the
Lenten season with pomp and feast and
reyelry, and so preclpitate the Souls OF
the people, surfeited and inebriated. into
the vale of solemnity and thoughtfulness.
and piety. What else Is the meaning OF
the revelry OF the carnival? Good-by,
fieshl will Join you again presently.
The great idea OF Lent is self-denial.
- constitutes larQR mart
of the business OF the general world.
and the main part OF 1t to many. the
first act of self-deniai ID imposed on the
stomach and palate. Moreover. the physi-
cal system is controlled through its fur
mace and laboratory, the stomach A
full stomach generates dissatisfaction
and pride; an empty one brings us down
nightly. and subdues the spirit as no.
thing else does; 1t chastens the SOUL Mere
abstinence Is nothing. But submission OF
the soul In fasting before the Almighty
is an act OF profound worship and
earnest appeal. The man knows little OF
the pursuit Of virtue. Of self-cultiva-
ton, of essential devotion to the Supreme
Being who knows nothing Of prayerful
fasting.
But fasting Is but one of the ideas
connected with the period Of discipline.
A time of simple. wholesome diet, Is a
good thing.
Fat paunches make lean pates. and dainty
bits
Make fat the ribs and quite bankrupt
the wits.
When the stomach is down on its plain
duty the heart and mind are free.
Stomacbic and dletetic teaching on wise
principles wonderfully help good, use
full. and happy life.
Then, as In all cases, physical dietetics
and healthy habits of body point the way
to healthy habits and ways of heart and
mind.
The mind and heart are dependent on
their dietetics. And the man who values
the health and happiness Of his mind
and heart must be careful OF their food
Indiscriminate feeding on irresponsible
and sensational books is destructive to
both heart and mind 1t vitates the
taste. II destroys the love of the intel
lectual stomach. 1t hunts or vulgarzes
the sensibilities. and fixes the individual
as low and common
One OF the promises of the latter day
Is: The oxen and the young ass that
ear the corn shall eat clean provender
that has been winnowed. A higher one:
III thou separate the precious from the
vile. thou shalt be ever as my mouth.
1t Is said Of the Beloved: He feedeth