THE FIRST DAY OF LENT, COMMONLY CALLED ASH-WEDNESDAY.

The antiquity of "Lent" is beyond dispute." The custom of the Church has confirmed, that forty days should be observed before Easter. One Fast in the year of forty days was kept, at a convenient time, according to the tradition of the Apostles.

This Fast is called "Lent," from the time of the year in which it is kept. "Lent," in the Saxon language, is Spring.

This Fast of forty days of "Lent," was in imitation of Moses and Elias in the Old Testament; but chiefly in imitation of our Saviour's Fast in the New Testament.

The Church directs that all Christians should receive the Communion of the Lord's Supper at Easter; and, therefore, appoints this time as a preparation by Prayer and Fasting. God commanded the Israelites to eat bitter herbs before they partook of the Paschal Lamb.

St. Chrysostom in Heb. x. 9.-Ethic. Cyril. Catech. 5. Augustine Ep. 119.-Jerom. Ep. ad Marcell.-Ut quadraginta dies ante Pascham observentur Ecclesiæ consuetudo roboravit. - Nos unam quadragesimam toto anno, tempore congruo jejunamus, secundum traditionem Apostolorum.

The Church begins "Lent" on "Ash-Wednesday." It was anciently a day of extraordinary humiliation. Upon this day, ashes were sprinkled upon the head, as a memorial of mortality. Hence it was called Dies Cinerum," Ash-Wednesday;" and upon this day the people were accustomed to clothe themselves in sack-cloth, the usual rites of penitents.

r

Notorious sinners were on this day put to open penance.

The Church begins "Lent," on this day, to fill up the number of Fast days in "Lent." As Sunday was a high Festival in commemoration of our Saviour's joyful Resurrection, upon that day it never was the custom to fast. Six Sundays being taken out of the six weeks of "Lent" there remain but thirty-six fasting days; but the addition of four days of this week, makes the number of forty.

The "Collect," "Epistle," and "Gospel" are most appropriate to the Service.

THE FIRST SUNDAY IN LENT.

The "Collect" directs a prayer to Christ; in which we acknowledge his Divinity. The " Epis

r Isaiah lviii. 5.

tle" exhorts to patience in affliction. The "Gospel" represents Christ's victory over temptations.

THE SECOND SUNDAY IN LENT.

The "Collect" prays to be preserved from all evils of body and mind. The "Epistle" persuades to temperance and abstinence. The "Gospel" teaches us to overcome temptation, by stedfast and importunate prayer.

The Week after "Ash-Wednesday" is "Ember Week." The word "Imbre" in Saxon, signifies "ashes." It was the ancient custom to sprinkle ashes upon the heads of the people in the Ember Weeks. And as these seasons were observed with rigid abstinence, and not any thing permitted to be eaten until night, and then only cakes, baked under the embers or ashes, called Panem Subcinerinium, or Ember-Bread, there can be little doubt of the origin of the word " Ember."

There are four Ember Weeks, called Jejunia quatuor temporum, the fasts of the four Seasons; because they were kept in Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter. The first of these, begins upon Wednesday next after "Ash-Wednesday." The second, upon Wednesday next after "Whitsunday." The third, upon Wednesday next after Holy Cross, September 14th. The fourth, upon Wednesday next after St. Lucic, December 13th.

The days of Fasting in these weeks are Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday. Our Saviour was betrayed by Judas on Wednesday; on Friday, He was crucified; and on Saturday, because of the grief of the Apostles at the loss of their Master, who was on that day in the Sepulchre. It had been the custom of the Jews to observe four solemn Fasts." Christians, in these religious duties, dedicated to God, as the first-fruits, the beginning of the different Seasons of the year, to obtain his blessing upon them during those periods. It was to prepare for the solemn Ordination of Ministers. In imitation of the Apostles, the Church prayed and fasted, before they laid their hands upon them. These four Fasts have been anciently observed in the Church of England. In the Laws of King Canute," it says, "Let every man observe the Fasts that are commanded, with all earnestness and care, whether it be the 'Ember' Fast, or the 'Lent' Fast, or any other Fast." These Fasts are still appointed in the Church of England; and have always been observed with Litanies, Prayers, and Fasting. y

t

Zech, viii. 19.

t Acts xiii. 3.

Spelman Concil. Brit. 256, 508, 546,

y Can. 31. Ann. Dom. 1603.

" Chap. 16.

THE THIRD SUNDAY IN LENT.

The "Collect" prays for defence against our enemies. The "Epistle" exhorts to strictness of life and manners; and the "Gospel" to perseverance in religious duties.

THE FOURTH SUNDAY IN LENT.

The "Collect" prays for grace to be relieved from the punishment of sin. The" Epistle” alludes to that Jerusalem, which is above, which is free, and the mother of all. The "Gospel" reminds us of Christ's miraculous feeding of the multitude, and all those who hunger after Him, and his doctrine.

THE FIFTH SUNDAY IN LENT.

This is called "Care-Sunday," or "PassionSunday." Now begins the commemoration of the Passion of our Lord. The "Epistle" treats of the Passion; and the "Gospel" of the slander and malice of the Jews, who call him "Samaritan."

THE SUNDAY NEXT BEFORE EASTER.

This is "Palm Sunday;" on which day Christ