ASCETIC CHRISTIANITY.
[TO TITS EDITOR OP THE •• Bract/ave.:9 SIR,—In a short review, in the Spectator of January 30th, of a book entitled "Six Months in Jerusalem," by Rev. Charles Biggs, you call attention to a remark on which I must venture to ask leave to comment. Mr. Biggs says :—" I am sure if they [the Mahommedans] are to be won to Christianity it must be by a presentation of it which insists on regular asceticism." Surely Mr. Biggs cannot be ignorant that both in Egypt and Syria, ever since the Moslems established themselves in these countries, that is, for more than a thousand years, they have had before them a presentation of Christianity which insists on regular asceticism to an extent unknown in any Church in the West. Indeed, in the matter of fasting, the Church of Egypt is the most ascetic Church in the world,—forty days before Christmas, forty-five before Easter (many fasting also on the Sundays to make their Lent fifty days), forty days after Pentecost, three days in the spring, called the " Fast of Nineveh," fifteen days in August in honour of the Virgin, and every Friday to the hour of nones. Moreover, their fasting is of a stricter kind than that enjoined by any Church in the West. No food having any connection with animal life is permitted. Milk, eggs, and butter are as much forbidden as flesh and meat. And if Mr. Biggs doubts whether the practice of the Church is equal to its theory, let me recommend him to try a week's tour among the Christian villages of Egypt during Lent !—I am, Sir, &c.,
C. H. B.
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