The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1907-02-07
A LENTEN LETTER.
published by Request)
EAR Parishioners and Friends

(PuDllShed Dy fequeSt)
Dear Practitioners and Friends:
February 18th is the first day of
Lent Cash Wednesday,. This holy
season of Lent again calls us to turn
aside for little while from the press
ing cares and activities of life. that
we may enjoy its manifold opportuni-
ties to rise to permanently higher
plane of Christian discipleship. The
Church invites us. as faithful sons
and daughters. to obey Lent's call to
"come apart and rest awhile" that
by special acts of devotion and dis
cipline. we may grow in grace and
become more like Him who offered
Himself as willing sacrifice for our
sin. AS we are about to enter upon
this season of holy privilege it is
we'll that we should seriously consider
the question how we may gain the
greatest spiritual benefit from the
observance of these forty days. OF
themselves. all the increased attend
ance upon the Church services and all
the other means of spiritual improve
ment can avail nothing. unless there
be an earnest personal desire to know
more of Gods will and not less sin
cere determination to follow in His
footsteps more closely. This should be
to us special time for self-examina-
ton and prayer. Let US ask our
selves whether our religion is really
deep and sincere. whether our chief
desire is too serve Christ above all
else: whether we truly deny ourselves
and take up our cross for His sake;
whether we are one year better pre-
pared. one year spiritually stronger.
than we were last Lent. whether we
have been growing in grace: whether
we are daily striving to be more like
our Master. Lent will be blessed
season to US if we thus hail it's dawn.
and regularly and faithfully take ad-
vantage of all of its privileges. We
need it to stir up our spiritual life
and how earnestly we ought to use it.
Permit me to offer you few sugges-
lions as to the prayer observance of
Lent. To follow Jesus you must
know Him. read therefore the lessons
of each day and the Gospel and Epistle
for each week. Study one of the
Gospels Systematically and read good
devotional literature as you have the
opportunity. Attend if you can all
the services of the Church and care
fully prepare for each reception of
the Holy Communion. Be more fer
vent and more frequent in your own
private devotions. Pray for others as
we'll as yourself. Sieze every OPP
portunity to do good. visit the sick.
seek out those in need and give to
them. be considerable and gentle in
your own home, strive to make as
many happy as lies in your power.
Believe more fully in His sacrifices
and promises. Discover your besett-
ing sin and determine to overcome
it. Try to put aside every bad habit
and root out every vice. Abstain
from innocent pleasures and places of
amusement. Cruelty the flesh and its
lusts. by fasting and practising self
denial. If any are estranged from
you. forgive and seek reconciliation.
Lay aside something daily for the
Easter offering, and let it represent
an act of denial and a willing offering
for Jesus sake. A Lent so observed
will bring you real and permanent
blessing and make your Easter
mound of privilege to your souls.
Your Friend and Rector.
Arth1r pratt