The following is from an article by Lloyd C. Douglas in the February 3, 1921, issue of The Christian Century. The title of the article is, “What About Lent?” Douglas writes:
“If you will take the ‘periscope’ in one hand and a modern textbook on psychology in the other, and observe their close teamwork, you may be amazed at the excellence of their wisdom who devised the schedule of events commonly known as the ‘church year.’ There was nothing ‘hit-or-miss’ about the makeup of this calendar. These canny church fathers did not sit in council to determine whether it would be more convenient to observe a more ‘penitential season’ in June than in December. No; that matter was out of their jurisdiction. It was something that had been settled by Nature, and they simply obeyed her voice. It is a known fact that the budding spring inevitably lures men to introspection. At that season they search their hearts, take invoice of their spiritual capacities, and seek whatever art forms are more familiar to them in an endeavor to make articulate the vague longings of their souls. Of old, they fasted at this season, and took counsel of holy men in cloisters. Of late, some write spring poetry, hungrily seek the art galleries, and patronize orchestral concerts. It is a season when everybody grows restless, dissatisfied with the apparent futility of his business, rebellious against the narrow boundaries of his experience, eager to escape the tyranny of material things to make adventure with the more ambitious quest of what, for him, serves as the Ultima Thule, Summum Bonum, Utopia – or whatever you like that stands for the High Spot.
“So, we may conclude that the season of self-search is fixed by Nature. Christianity is not unique in respect to the time of its penitential period. All the other great religions understand this psychology quite as well, and some of them have followed the suggestion much more effectively. Christianity, so inextricably tangled with the best of progressive civilization that men debate whether it is Christianity blazes the way for science, commerce, and the arts, or vice versa, should have a care that it does not develop into an urbane, artificial, indoor kind of religion. It began out in the open, under the guidance of one who frequently had no pillow but the turf; and we do well who would give all the fresh air and sunshine to its health. When Nature suggests a mental and spiritual mood – and historic Christianity stamps its O.K. upon the suggestion – we are wise who follow the hint.
“It is quite difficult for the present-day minister in America to obey his natural impulses and suggestions of the ‘church year’ in making a program of sermons and services to suit the season. In his desire to be a good citizen, he feels obliged to comply with every request of local, state, and national reform and philanthropic societies when they solicit his backing of their movements to the extent of observing their ‘days.’ No sooner has he planned his schedule for a vigorous evangelistic appeal through January than along comes ‘National Thrift Week’ – backed by the local Chamber of Commerce. Will he not be so good as to preach, on the Sunday preceding the ‘drive,’ emphasizing the importance of saving pennies that they may grow up into dollars. He dislikes to decline. Perhaps he really can contribute something to this cause – especially on the subject of frugality, a matter with which he has had much experience. He can talk ably of pennies. In the course of his business he sees such a lot of them.”
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