New-York tribune., 1902-03-04
The OBSERVANCE OF LENT.

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: Always an enthusiastic reader OF The Trib-
une began with interest your editorial yesterday.
entitled THE Observance OF Lent" had not
gone far however, when l began wonder II you
would kindly give little space In your col
umns for "a few remarks the same subject.
quite sympathize with your contempt OF the
absurd way I'm which people keep Lent
For many years it has been a stock joke with the
comic papers, trotted out jrst regularly with
the beginning OF Lent the Jokes about the
summer girl with the beginning of summer-and
no wonder The OF people whose dongs
chronicled such fidelity in society notes mere
ly change their gayeties. going to opera, theatre
and dinners. instead of to dances. with an occa-
sonal sewing class" tucked in TO save their
face" But would you honestly consider them good
examples OF Christians? The absurdity OF IL all
is only too patent. There are, however, people
whose names and regulations not made in
day who the backbone OF society, to whom
Lent is not bore nor a fast Of hectic piety" but
a season OF refreshment In the rush Of everyday
life II is almost inevitable that the spiritual part
OF busy people-and most people are busy-should
be neglected, at least squeezed into small
portion OF the day that It IS in danger OF being
surocated Is it not needful to pause occasionally
and think OF those deeIer things which our worldly
affairs continually crowdinG out7 l do not
mean that duties and business are 10 be neg
lected-they rather 10 be attended TO with
greater care-but our social doings. natural and
right as they are, being aside FOR season
leave with more time for the setting In order OF
our souls also. and more important still. for the
drawing 10 Him who Is the source OF our
life.
Abstinence I take f. IS the refraining from
pleasures Of various kinds II deny ourselves
some luxury and give the money TO some charity,
80 without something We like 10 eat, Il surely
will do harm! NJ one is expected 70 go
without food entirely. even to observe such a
rigid fast that his strength would be impaired
The scourging of the body as means OF pleasing
God we VIII leave 10 the Middle Ages;
II any one had looked into the Church OF the
Incarnation last Tuesday where Bishop Brent
would have seen hundreds who were not deferred
by the atrocious state OF the streets from coming
noon services are held at Grace Church. Calvary.
St. PauIs and others. Will he find any lack OF busy
men and women who are apparently glad OF ser
A word as TO the origin OF Lent You say truly
Church, and imply that the Bible gives no such
rule. 1 think you lose sight Of the fact that the
written. The Church was Instituted by our Blessed
Lord during His life on earth. and the Apostles
instructed in its doctrines. As you say, at
fore Easter: that is on Good Friday. / nave Just
read article I'm a church calendar which SAYS
Lent Of forty days can be traced TO period very
near that Of the Apostles That its term n OF forty
from the writings of the bishops Of those times,
Of Moses Elias and our Lord ali of whom tasted
forty days" I should like TO read Colonel Hop
kinss learned article, though am afraid should
not be in sympathy with man who takes the
forty days fast OF our Lent 10 be categorical and
legendary" Why not go step further and say
that the TRANSPORTATION and Ascension are legen-
dairy, and then
1t is natural, in view Of the inconsistent OBJ
servance OF Lent on the part OF some people, that
Colonel Hopkins should wonder II II gives higher
moral standard I think the opinion OF the ply
sician he quotes is rather irrelevant for the
jorty of his patients may have been Preshyterians
or Methodistsi | am not a Roman Catholic, so do
not know how Lent affects them; but fancy that
your editorial directed more against the dongs
Of "Episcopaians" Admitting with sorrow the
behavior OF some OF us ! think there IS danger
of Lent dropping into dsuse. There still
many thousands who say with holy George
Herbert
welcome. dear feast CT Lent! Who loves not thee
He loves temperance authority.
But is composed OF passion.
The Scriptures bid US fast; the Church says. now
Give TO thy mother what thou wouldst allow
TO every corporation
New-York, Feb. q. 1902. G. f. STARR.