The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1898-02-11
LENT THE TIME
FOR CHARITY
Effect of the Penitential Per-
iod on the Human Heart.
Selfishness Usually Kept i'm the
Backg round During the Fast
ing Season.

IL we have the tiniest bit of charity in
our natures it is extracted during the
Lenten season, writes Dorothy Maddox.
We do some good then if we never make
another attempt during the entire year.
/ Denomination does not seem to have
/ very much to do with it. A general feel
4 ing OF wanting to help each other per-
vades our realm at this particular time.
Filtering through many of our best eff
forts is a little selfishness as well. /
heard woman say the other day; Il
! look forward TO Lent as a sort of life
| preserver flung at me just as l feel that
L may go down at any moment. 4 am
Methodist. My mother was before me,
/ and appropriate the forty days with as
! Keen relish for soul renewal as the best
/ Episcopalian or Roman Catholic going.
/ This is the season when | settle back for
/ a good rest 1t is such a splendid ex-
! cuse for not doing things. 1t is Lent.
! you know Such a plea works like
charm"
/ Come to think OF it. we are all of us
! glad enough to see these fast days for
I our own accommodation. Nobody that
is anybody does very much or expects
others TO do much i'm a social way. Year
by year this feeling has grown until now
by tacit consent we snugly draw into our
shells and rest.
Each Lent finds i'm our world innova-
tionS. This year We are going in for
CLASSES. Glasses are restful things if
managed as they should be- and by at
tending them we do not feel that We are
going quite TO seed. There is always
teacher to do the talking and the listen
ers can laZily comment or keep their
mouths shut "a they please.
Speaking Of classes there is one that
il bound 10 accomplish lots OF good.
Mothers are its members. The young
mothers viii be given all sorts OF points
upon the right way of bringing up ba-
bies Baby'S bath is to receive particu-
lar attention. Then the latest ideas in
feeding children. in dressing them. etc.
viii be discussed. These lessons in home
nursing should be Of great benefit. as the
members are obliged 10 read up on all
subjects hygienic and exchange knowl-
edge gained.
A Gotham pastor has his own notions
respecting parish visiting during Lent
He has informed his parishioners that
they are 10 visit the poor in spirit which
shall not arouse antagonism.
Il is t. be accomplished 10y Lenten
workers in this fashion: They are TO put
on their prettiest gowns so that the eyes
of the poor may be gladdened by ar
ticles Of dress that delight women. as this
minister wishes his poor to feel that they
are # sufficient importance t. be dress
cd for
one point made is that all coincidence.
all preaching. all sympathy. shall be
vaiceless. The visits must give the I'M
preston uf a friendly interchange OF
routteSiaS rather than a pointed recogni-
ton Of The poverty surrounding lhe case.
The subtle mission will no doubt reap a
rich harvest. provided women of tact are
the missionaries.
In devious ways We are to observe this
,,apitantial season Some of Us viii be
greatly benefit in body if not in soul.
IL IS said that the soul cannot thrive
when the body which cabins IL i IN
state Of physical exhaustion.