The Israelites were commanded by Jehovah himself to fast on the
appearance of any plague, famine, war, &c.; and though they sadly
neglected the commands of God in other particulars, yet they obeyed
this command with great devotedness. The abstinence of the ancient
Jews generally lasted from twenty-six to twenty-seven hours. On these
days they wore sackcloth, laid themselves in ashes, and sprinkled
them on their heads, in token of their great grief and penitence. Some
spent the whole night in the synagogue; occasionally using with great
effect a scourge as a penance for their sins, or as a stimulant to
devout behaviour. We think it is not improbable that it is from the
Jews that the Roman Catholics derived their scourging penance system.

In "happy smiling England," fasting was, and is, practised by the
Catholics every Friday; it was also practised by the fathers of the
church, and the primitive Protestants, at stated seasons. The custom
is still observed amongst the methodists, who follow the example of
their great leader, Wesley. The rust of time has, however, worn away
the veneration for this "good _old_ system," and it is totally
disused by the general body of Protestants, except on great national
occasions.

E.J.H.

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MANNERS AND CUSTOMS.

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