The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-03-01

text was. what mean ye by this ser
vice" Exodus, xii, 26:
"What mean ye by this service?' the
Jewish child was to ask his parents at
the yearly celebration of the Passover.
Many who endeavor to keep Lent lose
much of the profit they should derive
from it's observance, because they have
not clearly before them the object and
purpose of the season.
The recurrence of Lent Is a call to ie-
moved spiritual effort. This is the great
object of the Lenten Season, that we may
grow in grace and in the knowledge of
our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ e. ).
Peter Iii, 1S). To this end all It's eXer-
cises are to be directed. The chief duties
of Lent, to be undertaken with this pur-
pose constantly in mind, are .tirernent
Prayer, Fasting, Repentance AMI Aims
giving.
Lent is time for Retirement. We are
bdden at this season to follow our Lord
| in some measure into the wilderness, and
give few weeks to a closer inquiry into
the state of our souls, and nearer ap"
| proach to God.
We cannot, nor ought we to, withdraw
| from the duties of our state of life,
whether in the family or in business. Tho
| retirement to which We are called IS from
the amusements which at other times
| may be perfectly innocent, and even bene
| fetal, but which We now put aside for
| time. in order to give ourselves the better
| to higher and more important interests.
GOOD RULE FOR LENT.
1t would be we'll to make a rule not to
| go during Lent to any place of public
| amusement and, as far as possible, to
| keep from social entertainments. Try to
| be sometimes alone. Commune with
your own heart, and in your chamber,
| and be still" this is one great rule for
| Lent. Secure time and freedom of mind,
| for prayer, for the study of God's Word.
| for self-eXamination, and the works CT
| repentance, and for gaining instruction
| i'm religious matters.
| Many persons remain in ignorance of
| muCh that they ought to know concern
| ing Christian faith and practice, because
| they do not take pains to gain instru2-
| ton. Persons often in these days are be-
wildered by some intidel objection or ar
| gument which is brought before them,
and which, even if they cannot directly
answer, they should, by their assurance
of the positive truth of their religion be
able to withstand. For our own sake, for
| the sake of others whom we may help,
| and for the honor of our Lord, we ought
| to be ready with meekness and reverence,
as St. Peter bids us to give to every man
| that aSketh us a reason of the hope that
ly avoiding a controversial spirit it would
| be well in Lent to take in hand some IN
structive religious reading &c. &. Of
| Church History, as well as that which is
| more distinctly devotional Some time
might be saved from newspapers and
other light reading for this purpose.
Lent is time for more frequent Prayer
| both Public and Private: (a) public
prayer; make a conscientious use of the
| opportunities provided for you in your
| own parish. Very likely you cannot at
tend all the services. 1t may not be de-
| sirabe that you should do so. Services
| of different characters and at different
times are intended to meet the needs OF
the various classes of persons. You Will
| probably find it best to choose some one
or more courses of services Gas the daily
prayers or weekly service and instruc-
tom, and make a rule of regular attend
| ance at these. If you are in a large city,
where there ar several churches, be on
your guard against the danger of reli-
| gious dissipation going about with Itch
ing ears TO hear different preachers, or
to take part in different services novel
rather by curiosity than by devotion or a
desire for editication.
AS TO THE SACRAMENT.
If a communicant, you may we'll desire
to receive the sacrament more frequently
during this season. Abstaning from
earthly food and from social pleasures,
you may approach more often the Holy
Table TO feed upon the Bread of Life,
| and hold communion with your Lord. No
general rule can of course be given about
| the frequency of communion. Each per-
son must decide the question with the
| help of such advice as he can geD, aC-
| Cording to his own needs ana opportuni-
| ties.
|
| or If you should have ceased to be d
communicate, remember that one special
purpose of your Lent should be by a
| true repentance Concerning which some
| hints Will be given presently) to be pre-
pared worthly to receive the Holy Sacra-
ment al Easter. If we are rightly to COM
memorate our Lords Passion, the atom
ing death of the spotless Lamb of GOD
Who taketh away the sins of the world
we must "shew forth His death accord
ing TO His commandment pleading in
His own appointed way His Sacrifice as
| the ground of our hopes, and seeking tC
have its merits applied individually tC
ourselves. In the typical Sacrifice of the
Passover the lamb, was not only to be
slain, but for any to share in the benefits
of the sacrifice the blood of the victim
must be sprinkled upon their house, and
they must feed upon its flesh (lIX. xiii
"Christ our Paschal Lamb is sacrificed
for us, therefore let us keep the feast
q Cor. V. 7, 81.
If you have not been confirmed, you
should in Lent set yourself distinctly tC
prepare, both Intellectually and morally
for that holy rite, that by the Seven-fJd
! Gift of the Holy Spirit you may be
strengthened for your Christian life, ant
be ready to receive the spiritual food oil
the Body and Blood of Christ
(b) Private prayer; do not let anything
| hinder from (nothing can take the place
of private personal communion with God
1t would be very helpful to make "A rule
to pray over, for few minutes, quietly
in your room, and on your knees, eacl
sermon and instruction that you hear
How many good impressions fade away
and are lost for want of subsequent aut
prayful recollection, by which they shoult
have developed into deliberate resolves
and so have been found fruitful in oul
lives. The fowls of the air are too otter
allowed to snatch away (even at The
church porch the good seed which ha.
been sown.
PRAY WITH EARNESTNESS.
Be careful to say your regular prayer!
with earnestness and devotion, adding
perhaps, morning or night, one or otheI