Graham guardian., 1916-03-19

l9AIQ2- -RUSSELD) The discourse
began with dis
cussion Of the Lenten season Al.
though not of Divine command. the
custom appeals to many. Like every
good thing. II is misunderstood and
perverted by the majority. because not
spiritually minded. To many of these
II Is Il command. the neglect of which
would bring upon them the disappro
DAtlOn 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. displeasing to God and value
less to the ndividual-hypocrltica
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 bowl!
Nothing Is more contemplate In
Gods sight than hypocrite. the Pas
tor declared. Honesty Is the one quail
ity which all pleasing 10 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 n Lentcn season. the Apostles
commend fasting. st. Paul wrote, "Ap
proving ourselves in fastings." and "in
fastings often" Evidently fasting is
In the nature of self -sacrif1Ce--not a
thing commanded but n voluntary Of.
ferlng of the soul to God. with a 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 hyGicnic grounds alone 1t is of
great advantage. particularly to the
well fed. to refrain from eating as lib
orally Of meats, sweets. pastry. etc.
rs they were inclined to eat during the
colder weather. BOilS. pimples, liver
uNi"i'S~'ii"hNS' I'NNlo anu NONl blliS
would he greatly leSsencd as a result.
Next the speaker discussed the spirit
unI side Of the question. He showed
that the Christian may advantageous
ly take n much deeper spiritual mean.
Ing out OF Lent. He may recall the
SaviOr's experiences during the forty
days preceding His crucifixion. He
may remember that just before His
cruCitiXion Jesus instituted the Lords
Supper and indicated that date as the
proper or" for its annual commemora.
tion III His followers. Us was
the cuSlum III the early Church. He
may remember sympathetically the
Rrdeemcr's trials at this season, and
reflect that all Jesus followers cove.
nnnt to share His Cup of suffering. ig-
nomIny. misunderstanding. mlsrepre
sentAtiOn. SANDER. abuse and death;
and TINT from the very first kalis season
seems to hive been a time Of special
rrNl amongst Jesus followers.
These considerations might well
move Gods people to the observance
VI " lHNl hul lllS llc
The anniversary Of their Redeemers
death In 80 doing, from a desire to
draw near to God. they would certain
ly contribute a share toward that end.
A study of the Prophet Daniels fast
lives valuable hints as to proper fast
ing He confined himself strictly TO
the things which his system absolute.
ly needed for the maintenance of men
tai and physical strength. ate nothing
SupcrabundHntly and avoided dainties
The Christians Perpetual Fast.
Fasting applies. not only to food, but
to everything; 1t signifies self-denial Of
the desires Of the flesh. to the intent
hat the spiritual nature may be
strengthened The true Christian lives
a life Of daily self-dcnial. Such mort
ticatiOn Of the flesh, self-denials Of the
various inclnntiOns of the flesh In the
interests Of the New Creature, are all
fNstimgs The whole tenor Of the Scrip
lures Is TO the effect that Christians
urc spiritually advnntaged by allow
ing the Holy Spirit to rule In their
| mortal bOdIcs-to the restraining OF
their natural inCinatiOns, tastes. pref
| crcnCeS Mppctites, which the Scrip
lures declare are all vitinted more or
rss by heredity.
Thus, ny the Bible tells us. the Chris
tiHn is constantly Ht warfare with
| hImsrlf-his new nature warning
good warfare against his old nature.
| In this conflict he Is to come Off an
overCOmer; and his victory will not be
complete until he - actually dead aC-
cordlng to the flesh and until. as New
| Crcnturc he shall have experienced
| the blessings OF the Resurrection OF
the spiritual nature