Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1904-02-04

uers,"
According To Strong, in the age i'm.
mediately succeeding that of the
apostles, It does not appear that much
value was attached TO the practice OF
fasting, 1t is spoken of in disparaging
terms in the shepherd of Hermas
Little notice was taken OF fasting Ly
the writer's of the first centuries, which
may be accounted for from the disceur,
aging influence Of the doctrines Of
MontanuS, the tenets OF the new
platiou school, and the progress OF
Gnosticism
The observance of fasts was intro.
duced into the church by degrees,
From Justin Martyr we learn that fast,
ing was joined With prayer at Ephesus
ir the administration Ct baptism,
In the time of Victor and lrenaeus
II had become usual to fast before
easter, vet II consisted not In single
fast, but rather In series of sc'amni.
ties Several congregations pre-.
pared themselves by tastirg aud NOR.
tincation inaugurated ON t',e afternoon
OF the day on which they commemo,
rated the crucihNion, II was con.
tinued until the morning of the amt
versary cf the resurrection
The custom Of the church at end OF
the fourth century may be seen from
the following,
IL the whole Christian church, the
following fast,days throughout the
year are regularly observed; On
Wednesdays and Fridays. we fast un.
I'll the ninth hour, etc,
The general design of the primitive
church In fasting 80 days Is given In
the words of Chrysostom;
Many heretofore were used to come
to the communion, indevoutly and in,
considerably, especially at the time
when Christ first gave It to his dis.
ciples.
Therefore, our forefathors, consid.
erately, especially at the time when
Christ first gave II to his disciples,
Therefore, our forefathers, con.
sidering the mischief arising from such
careless approaches, meeting TO.
gether appointed 40 days for fasting
and prayer and hearing sermons, and
for holy assemblies, that all mon
In these days, being carefully purified
by prayer and aims, deeds and fast.
ing, and watching and tears, and con.
fession of sins, and other like ex'
ercises, might come, according to their
capacity, with pure conscience, to
the holy table"
In Bunt's Dictionary OF Doctrinal
and Historical Theology Is the follow.
ing;
THE rule of fasting for lent varied
greatly. 1t was usual to abstain
from food altogether until evening
change OF diet not being accounted
sufficient.
| st Ambrose exhorts men, Diifer Nil
quantulum, non longe fines est die
The food, when taken was to he
of the simplest and least delicate kind
animal food and wine being prohibited
St Chrysostom speaks of those whc
F., for two days ahstaned from food, and
: &C others who refused not only wine
and oil. but every other dish, and
throughout Lent partook Of bread and
water only The Eastern church, al
the present day, observes most strict
rule of fasting Wine and oil are nj
lowed on Saturdays and Sundays, but
even these days are only partially OK
pected from the restriction of lent
THE discipline Of holy week Is ex
ceedingly rigorous During lent cor
poreal punishment was forbidden by
the laws Of ThcCdosius the great
Nulla supplicia stint corporls qnlbus
(diebusl absolutio expectatur amman
nm.
Public games, and the celebration
of birthdays and marriages. were alst
interdlcted II was the special tim,
for preparing catechumens for hap
tism and most Of 81. Cyril's catecheti
cal lectures were delivered during lent
st. Chrysostom's celebrated Homi
lies on the Statutes were preached
during this season Daily instruction
formed a part Of the service, and holl
communion was celebrated at leas
every Lords day"