The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1915-03-20

VIASlOK KUSS1lly The discourse
began with Il dis
cussion OF the Lenten season. Al
though not of Divine command. the
custom appeals TO many Like every
good I'll iig. il is misunderstood and
perverted by the majority. because not
spiritually minded To many of these
| IT. IL n command the neglect of which
would bring upon them the disappro-
baton of friends and the observance
of which would bring them some ID
! vine favor or some relaxation from
! proper punishment for their sins-they
know MOI what OF such perfunctory
! fasting diSpleasing to God and value
less To the individual -hypocrtical
fasting-the speaker give nm iIlustra-
ton. An acquaintance who prGfessed
to, observe Lent. was instructed TO
drink but one cup Of coffee daily dur
! ing the fast aud compromised with
his conscience by drinking his usual
! amount Of coffee from howl.
|. Nothing is smoae contemplate In
Gods sirht than ~ hyposrite. the Pas
tor declared Honesty is the one quail
! ity which all pleasing to God must
| possess. NJ matter how weak and
fallen by hereaity Jesus condemned
hypocrisy more than any other sin.
Although nothing in the Bible sug.
gests Lenten season. the Apostles
commend fasting St Paul wrote. "Ap
proving ourselves In HASTINGS and in
fastinys often Evidently fasting H.
in the nature of self-sacrifice-no
thing commanded but voluntary Of
fering OF the soul to God with n view t.
greater efficiency In Gods service o. to
grrater control over onr bodies In the
interests ~ our spiritual New Nature
Appropriate Lenten Thoughts.
The Pastor then pointed out the
practical value Of fnsting during Lent
On hygienir grounds alone II Is Of
great advantage. particularly to the
we'll fed. TO. refrain from enting as lit-
orally Of meats. sweets. pastry. etc.
M they were Inclined to eat during the
colder weather Boils. pimpIes. liver
arrangements. fevers and doctor bills
would he greatly lessened az result
Next the speaker dis, ussed the spirit
ual side Of the question He showed
that the Christian may advantageous
~ take N much deeper spiritual mean
ing out of Lent He may recall The
Savior's experiences during rhe forty
days preceding His crucifixion. He
may remember that just before His
rucifixion Jesus instituted the Lords
Supper and indicated that date az the
proper one for its annual conmem0r;l
ton amongst His followers AZ was
the custom In the early Church He
may remember symratheticaily the
, Isedeemer's trials mt this season. and
reflect that all Jesus followers cove
nant to share His Cup of suffering. liz
nomIny. misunderstanding. misrepre
, seutation. SANDER. abuse and death
and thar from the very first this season
, seems to have been u time of specinl
trial amongst Jesus followers.
These considerations might vel
move Gods people to the observance
of fast during fhe period preceding
the anniversary Of their Redeemer's
death In so doing. from desire t.
draw hear to tod. they would certain
> ly contribute share toward that end
: A study Of the Prophet Daniels fast
gives valuable hints as to proper fast
; ing He confined himself strictly t.
! the things which his system absolute
IL needed for the maintenance of men
til and physical strength. ate nothln.
superabudantly and avoided dainties
The Christians Perpetual Fast.
Fasting applies. not only to food. bu
; to everything. II signifies self-drpial o.
(; the desires of the flesh. 10 the inten
that the spiritual nature may b
strengthened The true Christian live
life Of daily self-deniaL Such morti
fication of the flesh. self -denials Of tn,
various inclinatiops OF the flesh in thu
interests of the New Creature. are al
Hastings. The whole tenor Of the Scrip
lures il TO the effect that Christians
! ARE spiritually advantaged by allow
! ing the Holy Spirit to rule In lIiei
: mortal bodies-to the restraining d
e their natural incIinations. tastes. prt I
8 erences. appetites. which the Scrip
e lures declare are all vitinted more O
!. less by heredity
Thus. as the Bible tells us. the Chris
I tian is constantly at warfare witt
d himself-his new nature warning
t good warfare against his old nature
s In this conflict he is 10 rome on a
: overcomer: and his victory will not b
!, complete until he is actually dead nc
eortling to the flesh and until. IA Nev
Creature. he shall have experience
the blessings Of the Resurrection Q