ashpan

A pan beneath a furnace or grate for the reception of ashes. grate for the reception of ashes. Ash-Wednesday, s. [Eng. Ash; Wedne day. In Sw. and Dan. Aske - onsdag ; Dut. Ash dag; Ger. Aschermittwoch.] The first day of Lent, the connection of which with "ash" or ashes seems to have been that, according to the injunction of Pope Gregory the Great, in the sixth century, ashes, which first had been ble ed, were sprinkled on the heads of worshippers, or the form of the cro was traced with ashes upon their foreheads, one main object at first being to put them in remembrance that their bodies were but "dust and ashes." As on the same day notorious sinners,, profe ing penitence, had to appear in church clothed in sackcloth, and with tears solicit absolution, repentance "in sackcloth and ashes" was also suggested, and added a fresh a ociation with the day. At the time of the Reformation the law or practice which required applicants for pardon of sin to be subjected to this severe discipline was swept away, and the "Commination" Service, still in use, was introduced in its room, "until the said discipline may be restored again, which is much to be wished." (Liturgy: Commina tion.) To a certain extent Ash-Wednesday in recognized in England by the nation as well as by the Church.