The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1915-03-25


matter of fasting
Daniel the Prophet gives us him
when he tells Us that for three whole
weeks he aic 10 pleasant bread while
be especially sought the Lord In prayer
I respecting matters which perplexei
I him In his Official position he was
surrounded with the best the kingdom
provided Hut be confined himself
strictly TO the things which his system
/ absolutely needed for the maintenance
OF mental and physical strength; he
ate nothing simply for its good flavor,
he ate nothing superabundantly 10
clog his system. 10 make him sluggish
in mind and body. and 10 ineapacitate
him for his routine work and, addition.
ally, for his special prayers for Wis
dom, We can all take good lesson
from this Seriptural example.
Jesus did not teach His disciples to
follow the custom OF fasting. The
matter was remarked, some saying
John the Baptist and his disciples
fast and the Pharisees, etc, fast,
but Jesus disciples fast not In an
swer 10 the question. Why noti Jesus
replied that II was not the appropriate
time. Instead Of fast. they were
having a feast. The Bridegroom was
with them. They knew no sorrow, no
care. All their wants were provided
o. 81, 4, l,Y . ,t.t,
of Divine Truth and grace; they were
eating freely OF the wonderful words
OF eternal life, and accordingly they
did not fast. as others
This does not mean, however. that
they lived sumptuously; for we remem-
Der that on two occasions, after Jesus
had fed multitude on plain bread
and fish, tremendously increased, He
directed His disciples 70 gather up the
fragments; and these they carried with
them as their own food supply for
many days, This was practical fast
ing, though not an outward one.
Jesus declared that the days would
come when the Bridegroom would be
gone. and He said. "In those days they
shall fast (Matthew 915) Their
days Of fasting and prayer began as
soon as the Lord was crucified, and
have continued ever since, whether
observed IN lenten fashion,
Or whether known only to themselves |
N their own hearts. All the followers /
IF Jesus have practlsed fasting, self
ienial; else surely they would not have
In spirituality,
The Christians Perpetual Fast.
1t is a mistake to suppose that fast
ng applies merely to food; II really mp.
,lies TO everything. In its broadcast
ense, it signifies selfdenial- denial OF
he desires of the flesh TO the intent
hat the spiritual nature may be the
more thoroughly strengthened. The
apostle clearly shows this in his sug-
estion that husbands and wives occa
ionally live apart, that they may give
themselves the more thoroughly TO
rayer and the consideration of spiri-
nal things. ] Corinthians 90 The
ne Christian will really live a life Of
af-denial every day. lie will remem
or the Apostles words. IF We live aft
+ the flesh, We shall die. but If We
rough the Spirit do mortify the de-
res Of the fek sc shall live" Such
notification Of the flesh. such self
entails Of the various appetites or in
nations Of the flesh in the interest
; the new nature. are all Hastings 5
The ideal condition for Christians, Of I
,urse, would be TO maintain n per j
,tual fast-to live always In so alb
cmious q manner as would keep them !
)irtuaIly IN the best condition and /
AXE them the most efficient In the I
Drd's service. Where this highest t
cal seems impossible or unattainable, /
zen the next thing in order would be (
close an approach TO this as seems il
of Divine command, for v
ere is none. but Of his own free will II
sacrificing himself his feshly appe j
.es and propensities, in the interest Of
$ own spiritual development and that &
his service Of the Lord. I
Appear not unto men TO fast Our =
,rd's instructions were that His fol h
Wers should not make a show Of Il
cir fasting should not boast Of their &
fsacrifice and sclf-denials, Those l.
itters should be between God and Il
nmselves. Instead Of making their =
nntenances sadlooking and appear g
2 to men TO crave sympathy. they "
ould contrariwise take special care L
at none might notice outwardly III
Ishing their faces. amounting their b'
ads and generally looking cheerful III
ppy. Indeed, the true Christian, II
10 fasts IN the proper manner and IN
th the proper sentiment. viii not IN
ID to feign happiness; for his portion n
i be the joy Of The Lord. and the IL
zee Of God, which passeth all IN %
rstanding. win rule in his heart" Yt
he ScripturaI proposition seems 10 W
that the Lords people VIII fast. or u
Ictise selfrestraint, along the lines
physical conditions, food, etc, In NJ
Ter that they may feast along the of
IS Of spiritual conditions and re- M
shments. The whole tenor Of Scrip &c
q is to the effect that the followers Dc