p. 264 | LENT-WARDS by M. C. W.

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · May 6, 1889

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 15, No. 17.

LENT-WARDS.

By M. C. W.

THUS speaks the Rev. Theo. A. Waterman, in the Christian at Work, of March 28, concerning Lent:—

"And yet, we may say for the general observance of Lent, as of anything else helpful in deepening the spiritual life, 'If there be any virtue, think on these things.' The argument of numbers always has weight. At this season we find nine-tenths of those professing and calling themselves Christians on their knees, especially during the last week of Lent."

And this is how Mr. Waterman will have the various denominations come into the observation of this Catholic institution:—

"Either the week of prayer will have to be a thing of the past, or there will have to be a change to some other time of observance, hence the force of the argument both of numbers and of expediency. Why not a change to the time universally admitted the best for extraordinary acts of devotion, the last week of Lent? Why divide forces in keeping up an Episcopal and a non-episcopal Lent?"

Furthermore, not content with one week of Lent, Mr. W. continues:—

"One evening during the week throughout most of the year is among all denominations devoted to a lecture or prayer-meeting; why not at the commencement of the forty days devote one other evening each week to devotional purposes?"

Yes, why not?—and then after a while the whole forty days. And if the ordinary church member can be brought to observe with a show of devotion a certain period of the year, the devil will lead him to believe that the rest of the time can be spent about as the flesh wills. That is about the way all the heathen institutions came into the church and corrupted the simplicity of the truth. Yes, the argument of numbers always has weight; but it is true, nevertheless, that we should "not follow a multitude to do evil." Ex. 23: 2. These innovations are a kind of will-worship displeasing to God, because they hide, to the extent of the importance, time, and expense accorded them, the institutions appointed of God. Like the professed people of God of old, it can be said of modern Christianity now: "Ye have plowed wickedness, ye have reaped iniquity; ye have eaten the fruit of lies; because thou didst trust in thy way, in the multitude of thy mighty men." Hosea 10: 13. M. C. W.