Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927, 1915-03-19

lll@zzlaS88 22S s2sS thew GIG.
(lYA9lOk KUoStlllJ L h e discours
began with dis
cussion of the Lenten season. Al
though not of Divine command, tn
custom appeals to many. Like ever,
good thing, it Is misunderstood an,
perverted by the majority. because no
spiritually minded To many of thes,
1T is command, the neglect Of whicl
would bring upon them the disappro
bation Of friends, and the observanc,
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, displeasing to God and value
less to the Acknowledgements
fasting-the speaker gave an illustra.
tion. 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 how'll
Nothing is more contemplate In
Gods sight than a 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 heredity. Jesus condemned
hypocrisy more than any other sin.
Although nothing in the Bible sug-
gests a Lenten season, the Apostles
commend fasting. St. Paul wrote. Gap
proving ourselves in fastings," and sin
fastings often" Evidently fasting is
in the nature of self-sacrifice-not
thing commanded. but voluntary Of
fering Of the soul to God. with q view to
greater efficiency In Gods service or to
greater control over our bodies in the
interests of our spiritual New Nature
Appropriate Lenten Thoughts.
The Pastor then pointed out the
practical value of fasting during Lent.
On hygienic 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 eat during the
colder weather. Boils, pimples, liver
fevers and doctor bills
would be greatly lessened as result.
Next the speaker discussed the spirit
lal side of the question. He showed
hat the Christian may advantageous
y take much deeper spiritual mean
ng out of Lent. He may recall the
'avior's experiences during the forty
lays preceding His crucifixion. He
nay remember that just before His
Jesus instituted the Lords
supper and indicated that date as the
roper one for its annual commemora-
ion amongst His followers. as was
he custom in the early Church. He
nay remember sympathetically the
sedeemer's trials at this season, and
effect that all Jesus followers cove
Iant to share His Cup of suffering, ig-
ominy, misunderstanding, misrepre-
entation, slander, abuse and death;
nd that from the very first this season |
GEMS to have been a time of special |
rial amongst Jesus followers.
These considerations might well |
nove Gods people to the observance |
( fast during the period preceding
he anniversary of their Redeemers |
cath. In so doing, from a desire to |
raw near to God, they would certain
? contribute a share toward that end.
A study of the Prophet Daniels fast
ives valuable hints as to proper fast
lg. He confined himself strictly to
he things which his system absolute
? needed for the maintenance of men
al and physical strength. ate nothing
uperabundantly and avoided dainties.
The Christians Perpetual Fast.
Fasting applies, not only to food. but
} everything; it signifies self-denial of
be desires Of the flesh, to the intent
nat the spiritual nature may be
The true Christian lives
life of daily self-denial Such morti-
cation of the flesh. self-denials of the
arious inclinations of the flesh in the
lterests Of the New Creature. are all
lstings. The whole tenor of the Scrip
Tres is to the effect that Christians
re spiritually advantaged by allow
lg the Holy Spirit to rule in their
lortal bodies-to the restraining Of
leir natural inclinations, tastes, pref
rences, appetites, which the Scrip
Tres declare are all vitiated more or
IS by heredity.
Thus. as the Bible tells us, the Chris
an is constantly at warfare with
new nature warning a
bod warfare against his old nature.
! this conflict he is to come of an
and his victory will not be
,mplete until he is actually dead ac-
riding to the flesh and until. as a New
reature. he shall have experienced
le blessings of the Resurrection of
Ie spiritual nature. |