Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1904-02-08


ners."
According To Strong, in the age i'm
mediately succeeding that of the
apostles. it does not appear that much
value was attached 10 the practice OF
fasting. II is spoken of in disparaging
terms in the Shepherd of Hermas.
Little notice was taken of fasting by
the writer's of the first centuries, which
may be accounted for from the discCur-
aging influence of the doctrines of
Montanus. the tenets of the new
plation school, and the progress of
Gnosticism.
The observance CT fasts was intro
duced into the church by degrees.
From Justin Martyr we learn that fast
ing was joined with prayer at Ephesus
in the administration Of baptism.
In the time of Victor and Irenaeus
it had become usual to fast before
easter. yet it consisted not in a single
fast. but rather in a series of solemn
ties. Several congregations pre-
pared themselves by fasting and NOR
tification inaugurated on the afternoon
Of the day on which they commend
rated the crucifixion. II was con-
tinued until the morning of the ami
versary CT the resurrection.
The custom of the church at end Of
the fourth century may be seen from
the following:
In the whole Christian church. the
following fast-days throughout the
year are regularly Observed: On
Wednesdays and Fridays. we fast un-
~ the ninth hour, etc.
The general design of the primitive
church in fasting 40 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 forefathers, consid-
erately, especially at the time when
Christ first gave it to his disciples.
Therefore. our fOrefathers, cen
sidering the mischief arising from such
careless approaches. meeting to-
gether. appointed 40 days for fasting
and prayer. and hearing sermons. and
fer holy assemblies. that ali men
in these days. being carefully purified
by prayer. and aims. deeds and fast
ing. and watching and tears. and con-
fessicn of sins, and other like ex-
ercises. might come. according to their
capacity. with a pure conscience, to
the holy table"
In Blunt's Dictionary of DOctrinal
and Historical Theology is the follow
ing:
1.-The rule of fasting for lent varied
greatly. II was usual to abstain
from food altogether. until evening.
change of diet not being accounted
sufficient.
St. Ambrose exhOTts men: Differ ali
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 who
for two days abstained from food. and
CT others who refused not only wine
and OIL but every other dish. and.
throughout Lent partOok of bread and
water only. The Eastern church. at
the present day. observes a most strict
rule of fasting. Wine and oil are al
lowed on Saturdays and Sundays. but
even these days are only partially ex-
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 Thecdosius the great:
Nulla supplicia stint corporis quibus
(diebus) absolute expectatur amman
UNI.
Public games. and the celebration
of birthdays and marriages. were also
1t was the special time
for preparing catechumens for bap-
tism and most of st. 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 part of the service. and holy
was celebrated at least
every Lords day"