The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1898-02-25

\ Beautiful Pastoral.

Rev Mr.. Sontag, of Trinity Church, has
issued the following beautiful pastoral
which will be circulated in leaf form
among the congregations
My DEAR PARIsHIoNER>:-
We stand on the threshold Of another
Lent Let Us pause and remind ourselves
Of its Sacred import Lent literally means
the lengthening of the days-thC approach
inc Springtide At this season Of somhrc
skies and humid atmospheric Nature is
evidently in process of preparation-gath-
erinc up her energies for the Quickcning Of
dormant life in the vegetable and animal
world Soon the springing grass and I'M
folding leaf and bursting bud will tell us
that the manifold life of nature has aWak-
ened for renewed activlties-to be clothed
in new beauty and glory and greater fruit
fulneSs.
Nature and grace are otttimes anato-
gous. The Church following the history
of her Lord bids her children prepare for
Il spiritual quickenng, greater growth IN
grace and Il more abundant life.
Lent implies that most solemn season OF
the Christian year known as the quadra-
geSmal fast and commentaries the forty
days and nights Jesus spent in the lIdel-
ness.
1t was Immediately after his baptism and
just before his public ministry that He
was led of the spirit into the wilderness,
where He tasted and prayed and com
muned with the Father and gained
strength for that eternal and glorious tri-
umph over sin and Satan.
Following the example of the Saviour,
let US strive to make the present lent a
season of preparations girding up of the
loins for more successful warfare against
sin. Close communion with God, a more
Christlike character and the bringing
forth of the peaceable fruits of righteous
ness.
As love is the great Word in the GREAT
COMMITMENT OF THE, LAW, the crown
and contamination of Christianity, ret US
each and all seek to be imbued with the
same spirit of love which filled the heart
of Christ and animated His followers in
every age to answering loyalty, to self
sacrifice and faithfulness unto death
Filled with such love the season of Lent
with its stated fasts and special religious
duties will not be irksome, but a privilege
and pleasure and Il JOY indispensable. In
an old picture gallery in the city of Mu-
Mich there is a celebrated Ecce Homo paint
ed by the great Italian artist Corrcgio.
Traces of a master hand can be seen in the
writhiIg features, the thorn pierced bioW
and the tear believed eyes of the Man of
Sorrows" as He hangs and groans upon
the ignominious cross.
Underneath the painting is the soul
searching inscription in the old Latin
tongue, which roughly translated reads
II did all this for thee
What hast thou done for Me-
\ FEW PLAIN RULES OR HELPS To \
PROFITABLE LENT:
Spend few moments each day in sacred
communion with God. Jesus withdrew
himself from the multitude.
Let 40 day pass without reading some
portion of Holy Scri pture-morc especially
the Sermon on the Mount
Call to mind your Baptismal and Con
firmation VOWS.
Be faithful in your attendance at the
House of Prayer. The Church will be
open daily.
Esteem it the greatest of earthly privil-
eyes to receive the Holy Sacrament, but
let no one approach the Altar without
praverful DETERMINATION, sincere repent
ance and with full purpose to lead new
life
Improve every opportunity for minister
ing to the temporal and spiritual needs of
others.
Add the cost Of your self -denlalS to
your Easter offering, and remember that
Your purse as we'll as your heart must be
consecrated.
\ Lent thus kept will be to you a time
of spiritual refrcshmcnt and proper
preparation for the Kingdom of Heaven.
Faithfully and af1ectionately,
Your Rector,
CHARLES F. SoNTAG.