The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-02-16

one special point In history and at one
particular spot upon earth That
period and that spot were chosen by
Him who sent Ills Son TO be the
Saviour. Among numerous things that
went sadly wrong in Christs time
there was what may DC called the
bodily treatment OF tho spiritual llfo--
the treatment OF the spiritual life
through tho body in which II Is en-
shrined
So Jesus In especially drawn to de-
treatment Is. II SHOWS ~ how
naturally tho evils which He cncount
cred spring out of human nature when
we see that not even thc clcarncss
of Christ's teaching upon tho subject
has prevented tho Christian world from
over and over again. Hardly any
thing can happen to our bodies that
does not influence. in n measure, tho
most spiritual side OF our nature. The
condition of the body tells imme-
diately upon It's inmate.
we not treat the body so rs TO help
the soul? This idea rams through the
whole OF mans religious history. From
this idea sprung the whole theory and
practice OF fasting. Fasting Is not
mere abstinence from food or any
with purpose. When Jesus came
He found the practice ot fnstirg still
prevalent. but the purpose was lacking
Now. the purpose is as necessary in
an individuals life as an inmate is
to house. a deserted house goes at
last to decay.
Lent has now come, and with 1t many
of us will find n time for spiritual cul-
ture and growth. The nrst thought we
associate with this season is that OF
Thence from some
pleasure or self Indulgence. Perhaps
the pleasure is harmless in itself. but
n period Of a sobcrcr. uuieter life than
most of us usually lead is obliged to
be beneficial to us.
God has a reason for everything
and so as we enter this season pr
dained by Him for fasting and rencc-
uon' we ought to consider what God
would have us do. Our best religious
progress consists. in large part. of our
coming by sympathy with Him to see
the reasons Of what nave Decn to us
bare commandments. rho chang from
the arbitrary to the essential look in
what God does is the richest and most
delightful feature of the spiritual
growth.
What is the use OF fast;rg? many
Of us ask. All bodily discipline. all
voluntary abstinence from sc.f-indul-
gencc. must be of value. either as n
symbol OF something or as a means OF
something. The body Is at once the
utterer and the educator oc the SOU!
within In considering the value OF
Tasting as means OF somethr,g comes
the question, Are not the things that
we do often Keeping us from doing bet
ter things? These things. that are
not crimes or even regarded as sinful
by men. do they not crowd into our
ives so as TO stand between US and
COO? If they do, then they are an Of
tense TO u.s. and we ought 20 make an
EFFORT to cast them from us Let us also
think Of the value OF faa.ine as n
symbol 1t expresses the abandonment
Of pride. Abstinence is the sign OF
humility. And so il abstinence is the
sign OF humility. it is natural enough
mat as the life abstains from its ordi-
nary indulge noes. The Humiliation
which is so EXPRESSED should be deep
encd by its expression Thus the
symbol becomes also a means. There
is nothing unnatural when .bc soul
sorry Tor it's sins. ashamed :. its bad
IRE lets It's contrition utter itself In
signs OF humiliation and finds in re-
action the shame which IL Expresses
deepened and strengthened through ut
terance. First. give emotion its true
symbol. and then the symbol in It's
turn gives new strength back to the
emotion. And so IT is good for us all to
consccratc some special weeks II the
recognition or the experience. and
pressive and educating symbol into
hose weeks too. Lent should he con-
sccrated to self-knovlcdSe. to the
humbling Of pride. and 80 to that fast
ing and abstinence OF life by which the
souls humility IS first expressed and
then increased and strengthened.
May God be with rs all this Lent
and may We live close to Everlasting
in all such things as are harmful to
our spiritual welfare ana In many
things. though not harmful IL them
selves. that lead to lives too self
centred and keep us from better things.
If We go into such 4 season with
carnestness Of purpose. surely VIC may
hope to come out OF 1t with jov.
There seems to be renaissance of
quotation in the House OF Representa-
tivcs. Al memorial services last Sun
11. l< a