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    ON FASTS . / To the Editor of the Monthly Repository . Sir , . Your correspondents * V . P . &c , not having entirely exhausted the subject of Fasts , you will permit nie to make some addition to their observations . We should at all times suitably humble ourselves before Almighty God ^ and pray for his wisdom to protect , and reform , and lead us in the way that we should go . But fasting has its different effects upon different

    constitutions ; if it increase the piety of some persons , it will dispose others to lay aside every exertion except a constant craving after food . Again , if we fast for strife or debate , or to smite with the fist ' of wickedness , such a fast must add to our iniquities . The Dissenters , are not expected to observe our

    public fasts , as none are called upon to observe them but those who make use of * those forms of prayer which a \* e prescribed by the archbishops and bishops . But > if they choose to be volunteers in a service which they are virtually directed to le ^ ve to others , their object should be to seek the things that make for peace , and to beseech God to enable them to pursue such

    measures as are conducive to the peace and happiness of all men . ic If thou bring thy gift to the altar , and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee , leave there thy gift ; first , be reconciled to thy brother , then go , and offer thy gift . " We should not fast therefore with an inimical disposition , nor until we listen to every offer of peace from an enemy , and do every thing that is possible to remove all differences that are

    subsisting between us . Again , if we fast in compliance with & public order , w ; e should first consider the terms of the order itself . We should obey God rather than man : we should not be subject to human authority in matters of faith : if we be re ~ quired to pray for the subjugation and absolute destruction of those with whom we are contending , we should first consider ho > v

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    those who w ^ refrietidly to ftbein * ofmalevolenceJ ; and those who were prejudiced against thern , would not feel an increase of that Christian spirit which thinketh no evil . On the parties themselves it could have no salutary effect ; for if we tell a jyerson his faults to his face , unless it be in very gentle language , we , mttst be expected to be called fools tor our pains . Gogmagog is to be honored for his good endeavours ; but if lie expects to reform mankind by such harsh measures , he must fee equally ignorant of human nature and the Christian religion . June 22 * 1 & 06 . A . £ Y .

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    On Fasts * 361

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    tol . i # V 3 a

• Citation
  • Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), July 2, 1806, page 361, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1726/page/25/