Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1915-03-27

iH$Nfi1Hss{gi3ss@ Nli1ff2ji III u II Z e. - Mat
}SsssA1s1.s.sz1 az121 thew GIG
lPaSlSlK RUoStLllj he discourse
began with dis
cussion of the Lenten season. Al.
though not of Divine command. the
custom appeals TO many. Like every
good thing it is misunderstood and
perverted by the majority. because not
spiritually minded. TO many of these
1t is Il command, the neglect of which
would bring upon them the disappro-
baton of friends, ana the observance
Of which would bring them some Dl
vine favor or some relaxation from
proper punishment for their sins-they
know not what or such perfunctory
fasting, displeasng to God and value
less to the lndiyidual-hypocritica
rasting-the speaker gave an ilustra
ton An acquaintance eMho profcssed
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 Il bowl
Nothing is more contemplate in
Gods sight 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 hcredty Jesus condemned
hypocrisy more than any other sin.
Although nothing in the Bible sug.
gestS Ientcn season, the Apostles
commend fasting ST. Paul wrote, ZAP
proving ourselves in Hastings" and "ln
fastings often" Evidently fasting is
In the nature of Sclf-saciiice-not
thing commanded, hut a voluntary Of
fcrlng of the soul TO God. with view 10
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 tine
practical value Of fnsting during Lent.
On hygienie grounds alone It Is Of
great advantage particularly to the
well fed TO refrain, from eating MS lib.
orally OF meats, sweets. IaSt"y. etc.
ns they were inclined Ia eat during the
colder weather. |nilS. phnplcS, liver
arrangements. fcvCrS and doctor bills
would he greatly lesSencd MS II result
Next the speaker discussed the spirit.
nal side Of the question. He showed
that the Christian may advantageous
~ take much deeper spiritual mean
ing out Of Lent. He may recall the
Savlors experiences during the forty
days preceding His cruci6xion. He
may remember that just before His
crucliXion Jesus instituted the Lords
Supper and indicated that date as the
proper one for It's annual commemora
tion amongst His followers, MS was
the custom in the early Church He
may remember sympathetlcally the
Itedeemer's trials at this season, and
reflect that all Jesus followers cove
n0nt TO share His Cup Of suffering. H.
nOminy. misunderstanding, msreprc
sentntion. SANDER, abuse and death
and that from the very first this season
seems to have been time OF special
trial amongst Jesus followers
These considerations might well
move Gods people to the observance
Of fast during the period preceding
the anniversary Of their Redeemers
death In SO doing. from n desire to
draw near to God, they would certain
Iy contribute n share toward that end.
A study Of the Prophet Daniels fast
gives valuable hints rs 10 proper fast
ing. He confined himself strictly TO
the things which his system absolute.
~ needed for the maintenance OF men
tai aud physcaI strength, ate nothing
supeubunduntly and avoided dnintles,
The Christians Perpetual Fast.
Fasting applies, not only TO food. but
to everything; II signifies sclfdcnlal Of
the desires Of the flesh. TO the intent
that the spiritual nature may he
strengthened. The true Christian lives
a life Of daily self-dcnial. Such mortl
ication OF the flesh. self-dcnlals OF the
various inclinntons Of the flesh IN the
interests of the New Creature, are all
fastings. The whole tenor Of the Scrip
lures Is TO the effect that Christians
are spiritually advaniaged by allow.
ing the Holy Spirit to rule In their
mortal bodles-to the restraining Of
their natural incllnations. tastes pref
ercnces. appetites, which the Scrip
lures declare are all vitiated more or
less by heredty
Thus. as the Bible tells us. the Chris
tIan IL constantly ut warfare with
himself his new mature warning u
good warfare against his old nature
In this conflict he is TO come or nm
uvercomcr: and his victory will not be
complete until he Is actually dead nc.
cording to the nesh and until. as a New
Creature. be shall have experienced
the blessings OF the Resurrection OF
the spiritual nature