OBSERVING CHURCH DAYS by Editor

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Mar 16, 1904

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 30, No. 11.

OBSERVING CHURCH DAYS.

By Editor

"The Lenten season" is becoming a familiar expression in other than Roman Catholic and Episcopalian churches. It was but natural that this should follow the celebration of Easter, which has been growing in favor with the nominal Protestant churches in the past few years. Christian Work notices approvingly the tendency of Presbyterian, Baptist, Congregational, and Methodist churches "towards some observance of Lent," adding that, "indeed, it has become almost necessary." In apologizing for the innovation, it also lays stress upon Holy Week, which "will be observed this year more generally than ever, and not simply by religious services in the churches, but, as many Presbyterians will do, by observing a period of abstinence." Inasmuch, however, as the abstinence of Lent and Holy Week are as a "relief from social strenuousness," and "the dissipation" of ordinary life, why would it not be well for those who profess Christianity to observe abstinence all the time? We have noticed that the ritual churches, whose observance of days (Gal. 4: 10, 11) is being copied by others to an alarming extent, usually plunge into the "strenuousness" of social life with even increased zest as soon as the Lenten season is over. In fact the balls and parties are often planned and arranged before the season of abstinence has passed.

But this disposition to follow papal customs and traditions has even a wider range, as shown by another quotation from the same journal, as follows:—

The tendency of non-liturgical churches to recognize the value of observing the Christian year has of late become marked. There are those still living whose New England childhood knew nothing of Christmas either as a day of delight for the young or of religious privilege for those of mature years. A generation ago that was an innovating minister, and a bold, who not being an Episcopalian, ventured upon "special" Easter services. Within half a dozen years the observance of Good Friday in a non-liturgical church here and there awoke discussion and criticism not always friendly. And now Ash Wednesday is added to the list, and the religious newspapers are beginning to say that it is a good thing that the Christian year should be observed, not only for its practical but also for its spiritual advantages.

And this "Protestant" journal hopes for great results when all the "Protestant" procession falls in line to observe the days that Rome has made "holy" by her tradition. The great expectation is set forth in the following optimistic strain:—

All this is a strong witness to the growing sense of solidarity among Christians. More than this, it is a greatly-needed recognition of the power of sentiment in the religious life. That it will be a step of great practical value when all Christians agree to observe the same times and seasons in their religious, as they do now in their social, life, is not to be questioned. The common and universal observance of Sunday has made much possible in business which would have been simply impossible had certain groups in the community observed other days and not Sunday. The Saturday half holiday has become a custom of value in proportion as it has become general. The holiday season has its special function in business and social as well as in religious life. And when the various "days" of special observance by various churches, now scattered through the year, find their appropriate places in these forty days of peculiarly sacred association, then, whatever may be their denominational names, the churches will be more really the Lord's force for the salvation of the world than they have ever yet been.

But when the prophecy speaks of this consummation, it speaks in a different strain. It simply says, "And all the world wondered after the beast." See Rev. 13:1-9.