Graham guardian., 1915-03-19

ISS5-f .3Ssst y seSJ5ty ii II II e e. mat
}Esz2s3SSszsz.S WY thew GIG
llRASl0& RUSSElLlI The discourse
began with dis.
cusSiOn Of the Lenten season. AL
though not Of Divine command. the
custom appeals to many. Like every
coed thing. it is misunderstood and
perverted by the majority. because not
spiritually minded. TO many of these
il is a command, the neglect of which
world bring upon them the dlSappro
batium Of friends. and the observance
of which would bring them some Di
vine favor or some relaxation from
proper punishment for their sins-they
know not what. OF such perfunctOry
fasting, diSpleusing to God and value,
less to the ndivldual-hypocriti
faSting-thc speaker gave an ilustra-
ton. An acquaintance who professed
to observe Lent. was instructed to
drink but one cup Of coffee daily dur.
ing the fast, and compromised with
his conscience by drinking his usual
amount of coffee from a bowl!
Nothing Is more contemplate In
Gods siTht than hypocrite, the Pas.
tor declared. Honesty Is the one quail.
ity which all pleasing to God must
possess no matter how weak and
fallen by herclity. Jesus condemned
hypocrisy moro than any other sin.
AlthOugh nothing In the Bible sug-
gCstS L@nten season, the Apostles
comment fasting. st, Paul wrote. ZAP
proving ourselves In HASTINGS" and "in
hastings often" Evidently fasting is
in the nature of sclf-saCri6Ce--not o
thin" commanded but voluntary Of
tCIing OF the soul to God, with n view to
greater efficiency in Gods service or to
.TaHtyr control over our bodies in the
interests of our spiritual New Nature
Appropriate Lenten Thoughts.
The .IHst0r then pointed out the
practical value of fasting during Lent
GU hvgicnir grounds alone 1t is of
great advantage, particularly to the
well fed. to refrain from eating as lib
orally Of meats, sweets, pastry. etc
as they were inclined to ent during the
coklpr weather Boils. pimples. liver
deranGcmrnt&, fCvprS and doctor bills
would be greatly lcaSencd as q result.
Next the speaker discussed the spirit.
nal side Of the question. He showed
that the Christian may advantageous.
iy take much deeper spiritual mean.
ln2 ont Of Lent He may recall the
Savior'S experiences during the forty
days preceding His CrucifiXion. He
may remember that just before His
rucifXiOn Jesus instituted the Lords
supper ana indicated that date as the
proper rn or its annual cOmmemora.
ton &. His followers, as was
the cuMam IN the early Church. He
may remember sympathetically the
HrlCpmcr'S triulS Ht this season, and
reflect thai all Jesus followers cove.
WauI to share His Cup of suffering. ig
nOmiEy misunderstanding. misrepre
Sp@tation. SANDER. abuse and death;
ana that FROM the very first khis season
Surrla to have been q time OF special
.r.u. amongst Jesus followers.
These considerations might well
move Cod'T people 10 the observance
nf fast during the period preceding
ne anniversary Of their Redeemers
rlcath In so doing. from a desire to
!rAW hear to God. they would certain
y lumtribUtc a share toward that end.
a study OF the Prophet DanIel's fast
lives yaUabie hints as to proper fast
iu% He confined himself strictly to
the things which his system absolute
N needed for the maintenance of men
tai and physical strength, ate nothing
"uUcrHbumdanrly and avoided dainties
The Christians Perpetual Fast.
Fasting applies. not only to food, but
90 everything: II signifies self-denial Of
the desires Of the flesh. to the intent
hat the spiritual nature may be
:trrugthcuCN The true Christian lives
i life of daily Self-dcnial Such morti-
nrAtiOn Of tho ncSh, sCIf-denials Of the
various m"IinntiOnS of the flesh In the
interests Of the New Creature, are all
fnStings The whole tenor Of the Scrip
lures is 20 the effect that Christians
are - IriuaIly advantnged by allow.
ing the Holy Spirit to rule in their
mortal bodies to the restraining of
their natural inclinHtions tastes, pref
crenccS alrpotitcS, which the Scrip
lures declare are all vitinted more or
rSS by hcrcdity
THUS. rs the BibIc tells MS, the Chris
riau is constantly at warfare with
himself his now nature warning a
good warfare against his old nature.
In this conflict ne Is to come off an
uvcwomcr. ana his victory will not be
complete until he is actually dead nc-
rurdim" to the flesh and until. as New
Crcaturc he shHll have experienced
the blessings Of the Resurrection Of
the spiritual nature