18

LENT.

Christian, up and smite them, Counting gain but loss; Smite them by the merit Of the holy Cross.

Christian, dost thou feel them, How they work within, Striving, tempting, luring, Goading into sin?

Christian, never tremble; Never be down- cast; Smite them by the virtue Of the Lenten fast.

Christian, dost thou hear them, How they speak thee fair? " Always fast and vigil?

Always watch and prayer?" Christian, answer boldly,

" While I breathe I pray: Peace shall follow battle, Night shall end in day.

" Well I know thy trouble, O My servant true; Thou art very weary, I was weary too; But that toil shall make thee. Some day all Mine own, And the end of sorrow

Shall be near My Throne."

Amen.

" And JESUS was led by the SPIRIT into the wilderness, being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days He did eat nothing."

176

FORTY days and forty nights

Thou wast fasting in the wild; Forty days and forty nights

Tempted, and yet undefiled.