The Washington herald., 1915-03-15

uhltrE OHerlnS 10 God, with a view
| TO greater efficiency in Gods service
| or TO greater control over our imper-
| feet mortal bodies in the interests Of
our spiritual new nature.
Appropriate Lenten Thoughts.
Much may be said I'm favor of fast
ing during the Lenten season On
hySlenlc grounds alone II would be of
advantage, particularly to the we'll
fed. if during the spr1ngtime they
would restrain themselves from eating
literally of meats. sweets, pastry, etc
Boils. pimples. liver arrangements fe-
vers and doctor bills would be greatly
lessened II this course were pursued
This is the practical side of the uues-
ton, which may have led TO the GUS
tom.
The Christian, however. may advan-
tageously take much deeper, spirit
ual meaning out of Lent He may
remember the Savior's experience for
the forty days preceding His crucinX-
ion. He may remember that just be-
fore His crucifiXion Jesus instituted
the Lords Supper. ana Indicated the
date as the proper one for its annual
commemoration amongst His followers,
as was the custom in the early
Church. He may also remember that
all Jesus followers covenant to share
| His Cup of suffering, of ignominy,
misunderstanding, Misrepresentation,
Islander. abuse. death. He may remem-
Der that as this was the special time
of trial for Jesus, so it seems also to
have been from the very first 4 time
OF special trial. testing. Sitting,
amongst His followers
All these considerations might well
move Gods true people to fasting dur
4 in M -t IL
sary of their Redeemer's death In
observing such restraint of appetite,
from IL desire to draw especially near
TO God. they would certainly be con-
| trIbuting share toward that end, in
harmony with the ScripturaI declara-
ton. Draw nigh unto Me, and | will
draw nigh unto you"
We have no suggestion to offer respect
inS the kind Of food or the quantity that
should be eaten. There are people in
such physically weak condition that il
would be absolutely wrong for them to
abstain from such nourishments as they
can assimilatc. Heart and head should
combine in determining this matter OF
fasting
Daniel the Prophet tells US that for
three whole weeks nc ate no pleasant
bread while he especially sought the
Lord in prayer respecting matters which
pcrpleXed him. Evidently he confined
himself strictly to the things absolutely
needed for the maintenance of mental
and physical strength. he ate nothing
superabundantly. to clog his system. to
make him sluggish In mind and body
and to inca pacitate him for his routine
work and for his special prayers for
wisdom. We can take a good lesson
from this Scriptural example.
Jesus did not teach His disciples to
fast. This does rot mean. however.
that they lived sumptuously: for on two
occasions after Jesus had miraCuOusly
led multitude on plain bread and fish.
He directed His disciples to gather up
the fragments: and these they carried
with them as their own food supply for
many days. This was practically fast
ing. Jesus declared that the days would
come when He would be gone. and He
said. In those days, they shall fast.
began as soon as the Lord was crucified.
and have continued ever since. whether
outwardly or known only to their own
ticed fasting, self-denial; else surely
they would not have progressed in
spirituality.
The ChristIan's Perpetual Fast.
It is a mistake to suppose that wasting
applies merely to food. In its broadest
sense. 1t signifies self-denial-denial OF
the desires Of the flesh. TO the Intent
that the spiritual nature may be
strengthened. The Apostle clearly shows
this in his suggestion that husbands and
wives occasionally live apart. that they
may give themselves the more thor
oughly to prayer and the consideration
Of spiritual things. Il Corinthians 1:5)
The true Christian really lives life of
daily self-denial. He remembers the
Apostles words, IF ye live after the
flesh. ye shall die; but IL we through the
Spirit do mortify the deeds of the flesh.
We shall live" Such modification OF the
flesh. such as self-denials Of the various
leshly inclinations. in the interest of
the new nature. are Hastings.
The ideal condition for Christians
would be to maintain a perpetual fast
TO live always in so abstemious a man.
ner as would keep them spiritually in
the best condition and make them most
efficient in the Lords service. Where
this highest ideal seems unattainaole.