River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1915-03-18

The Lenten sea-
son = the forty
z2.8zlazz=z4 days fast proceed
(IRAS.OK KUoStLDI ing the anniver-
sary of j es u s
death-has long been fixed rule with
some Christian people. Although net
Of Divine command and at most, there
fore, Il recommendation. the custom ap-
peIls to many. Like every other good
thing it is misunderstood and perverted
by the majority, because they are not
spiritually minded. To many of these
it is q command the neglect Of which
would bring upon them the disappro-
baton of friends, and the observance
Of which would bring them some favor
from God or some relaxation from
proper punishment for their sins-they
know not exactly what, but hope that
it will mean ultimate gain somehow.
CT such perfunctory fasting, dis
pleasing TO God and valueleSs to the
individual - hypocritical fasting - we
give an illustration. An acquaintance
who professed to observe Lent was in
structed that he should drink but one
cup of coffee during the Fast. He
made some kind OF compromise with
his conscience by which he got his
coffee in a bowl. He got the same
amount Of coffee rs when he took two
cups, but thought the Lord would not
notice the cheat, and would reward him
for such hypocritical fasting.
Nothing is more contemplate in the
Lords sight than a hypocrite. Honesty
is the one quality which all who would
be pleasing to God must possess, no
! matter how weak or fallen they may
be by heredity. In His preaching Je-
sus condemned hypocrisy more than
any other sin on the calendar-perhaps
rs much as all other sins together.
The first lesson with Christians, with
every body, should be hOnesty-not only
in monetary affairs, but in everything,
including words and thoughts.
Although nothing in the Bible sug-
gests a Lenten season, the Apostles
commend fasting st. Paul wrote,
approving ourselves in fastings,' and
again, lin Hastings often" e CORN
thians GA, 5; 1920 Evidently fasting
is in the nature Of self-sacrifce-not
thing commanded, but voluntary of
fering Of the soul to God, with a view
to greater efficiency in Gods service or
to greater control over our imperfect
mortal bodies in the interests of our
spiritual new nature,
Appropriate Lenten Thoughts.
Indeed, much may be said in favor Of
fasting during the Lenten season. On
hygienic grounds alone it would be of
advantage, particularly to all well-to-
do and Well-fed, If during the spring
time they would fast, or restrain them
selves from eating as literally OF
meats, sweets. pastry, etc, as they
were inclined to eat during the colder
withdrawing less than their ap-
petites crave. BoilS, pimples, liver de
rangements, fevers and doctor bills
would be greatly lessened if this course
were pursued. This is the practical
side of the question, which may have
had to do with the original institution
of the Lenten custom.
The Christian, however, may ad-
vantageously take a much deeper,
spiritual meaning out of Lent. He
may remember the Savior's experiences
for the forty days preceding His cruel
fixion. He may remember that it was
just before His crucifXion that Jesus
instituted the Lords Supper, and in
dicated that date as being the proper
one for its annual commemoration
amongst His followers, as was the
custom in the early Church. He may
remember sympathetically the Re
deemers trials at this season of the
year. and also remember that all the
followers of Jesus covenant, agree,
to share His Cup of suffering, of ig-
nominy, of misunderstanding of mis-
representation, of SANDER, of abuse, of
death. He may remember that, as this
was the special time of trial for Jesus.
so it seems also to have been from the
very first a time of special trial. test
ing, sitting. amongst His followers.
All these various considerations might
well move the true people Of God to
the observance of a fast during a peri
cd preceding the anniversary Of their
Redeemer's death. In observing such
a fast-such a restraint of appetite
from a desire to draw especially near
to God, they would certainly be con-
tributing a share toward that end, in
harmony with the Scriptural declara-
ton. Draw nigh unto Me. and 1 will
draw nigh unto you"
A Model Fast.
We have no suggestions to offer re-
specting the kind of food or the guam
tity that should be eaten. We believe
that there are people in such physi-
cally weak condition that it would be
absolutely wrong for them to abstain
from such nourishments as they may