The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1909-03-03
Seven Little Rules for Lent.

Lent is a solemn time, and calls all
true followers Of our Blessed Lord to
its special observance. Its three great
duties are those of Prayer, Fasting and
Almsgiving, three great means of draw
ing the soul towards God, subduing the
evil passions Of the body and arousing
love for the poor.
In the performance of these duties
one should guard against gloominess
and depression allowing the knowledge
of closer union with Christ to per-
wade us with quiet peace and happi-
ness. Remember that opportunities
neglected may never return, and that
wilful neglect of Gods grace is a sin.
This may be a last Lent, and those who
love to follow Christ will feel respon-
sibility before God as to accepting His
invitation.
TO observe this solemn season is to
avail oneself of very precious prlvi-
lege, tor Lent not only calls to our
minds the Temptation of our Lord IN
the desert, and His Passion and Cruel
fixion, but also strives to arouse in our
hearts such deep love for Jesus our
Redeemer as may make us aim more
closely to follow him along the Royal
Road OF the Holy Cross and copy His
beautiful Life. To those, therefore,
who earnestly desire specially to draw
| near to the Cruclhed One, the follow
ing suggestions for Lent are commend
ed, to be by them modified Or adapted
to their varying circumstances of life
1. Arise little earlier and thus
overcome any disposition to sloth.
2. Give up secular reading and
strive to learn more OF the Church and
the Scriptures.
3. Use special fasting and absti-
hence, especially on Wednesdays and
Fridays, remembering that fasting is
enjoined by Christ, and if ones health
really will not permit, then substitute
such other act OF sell-denial as may in.
volve real sacrifice.
a. Refrain from entertainments, and
retire as far as is consistent with work
or duty, from the affairs OF the world.
| :. Use such retirement for special
prayer, meditation on the Cross and
preparation for Holy Communion,
counting these devotions privilege
and not burden.
6. Attend service in church once
day where possible and communicate
frequently, after special determination
and preparation.
7. Let the one dominating thought
be that of Chrst's Passion and Cruel
fxion lei this urge all to cultivate the
spiritual life and the life OF sacrifice,
and let all that is done be done from
LOVE and not from constraint.
Remember Gods Abiding Presence.
He knows every hidden thought, He
hears every spoken word, He sees
every living action. Realizing this,
how we should strive to ever make those
thoughts pure, those words kind, those
actions good, SO that we may not add
our sins to the burden the Crucihed
has to bear, and make our Most Holy
Redeemer weep over us As Tie wept
over Jerusalem.
In one of those beautiful Cathedrals
Of Europe, whose soaring arches, clus-
tered columns and delicate carvings
seem to symbolic the beauty of Heaven,
stands A great Rood, and underneath
the figure OF Christ on the Cross, which
seems to shine ont from the shadows of
that dim, religious light are the helpful
words =
II died on the Cross for thee,
What hast thou done for Me? -
20 Christian soul look on the wounds
OF the Suffering One, the blood of the
Dying One, the price paid Tor our re-
demption these things, oh think how
great they be and weigh them in the
balance OF thy mind that He may be
wholly nailed to thy heart, Who tor
thee was all nailed unto the Cross, for
do but call to mind the sufferings of
Christ and there is naught on earth too
hard IN endure with eomoosure