From the remotest ages of antiquity most nations have practised
fasting to keep the wrath of God from falling upon them for their
sins. Some celebrated authors even affirm that fasting was originated
by Adam after he had eaten of the forbidden fruit; but this obviously
is carrying their arguments, in favour of fasting, too far, though it
is as certain that the Jewish churches practised it from their first
formation. The Egyptians, Phoenicians, and the Assyrians held the
"solemn fast" in high favour. The Egyptians, according to Herodotus,
before they offered in sacrifice the cow to Isis, to purify themselves
from impurities, fasted and prayed. This custom he also ascribes to
the Cyrenian women. Porphyry relates that the fasts of the Egyptians
were sometimes continued for six weeks, and that the shortest ordained
by their priests was seven days, during which they abstained from
nearly all kinds of food. These rites they communicated to the Greeks,
who observed these fasts more strictly, and with more outward show and
solemnity. The Athenians likewise observed stated fasts, two of which
were named "the Elusinian and Thesmoporian fasts;" the observation
of these fasts was extremely rigid, especially amongst women, who,
in mournful dresses, spent one whole day sitting on the ground (their
sign of grief,) without taking the least food. The islanders of Crete,
before sacrificing to Jupiter, had to abstain from food. A celebrated
ancient author informs us, that those who wished to be initiated into
the secrets of Cybele, fasted ten days before their initiation; and
that, in short, the priests who gave the oracles, and those who came
to consult them, had to perform this duty.
Amongst other Heathen nations, before they prepared for any important
enterprise, the whole expedition fasted. The Lacedemonians having
agreed to aid an ally, ordained a fast throughout their nation, and
without _even_ excepting their _domestic animals_. The Romans having
besieged the city of Tarentum, and the city being hard pressed,
the citizens demanded succour of their friends, the inhabitants of
Rhegium; who, preparatory to granting assistance to the besieged,
commanded that a fast should be held throughout their territories.
Their aid having proved successful, the government of Tarentum to
commemorate this important event, ordained a perpetual fast on the day
of their deliverance.
Philosophers and certain religious people have for ages reckoned
fasting as a service which led to important results, and a duty which
could not be dispensed with without causing the wrath of God to fall
upon the heads of the nation. At Rome it was practised even by the
emperors. Amongst the most remarkable for keeping this institution
were Numa Pompilius, Julius Caesar, Vespasian, &c. Julian, the
apostate, was so exact in the performance of this ordinance, that
the fasting of the philosophers and of the priests themselves, was as
nothing compared with his abstinence. Pythagoras fasted sometimes
as long as forty days; his disciples followed the example of their
master; and after his death they kept a continual fast, in which they
denounced the inhabitants of the deep as well as the creatures of the
meadow. The eastern Brahmins are remarkable for their fasting; but as
the people believe they regale themselves with the good things of this
life, in secret, their example gains not many followers. That nation
which reckons itself infinitely superior to _us_ "poor barbarians,"
the Chinese, also observe stated seasons of fasting and prayer. The
Mahomedans likewise strictly observe fasting and prayer, and the
exactness with which the dervishes perform them, and the lengths of
time of their fasts are very remarkable.
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.