SABBATH OBSERVANCE.

Auckland Star, Volume XLI, Issue 268, 11 November 1910, Page 5

SABBATH OBSERVANCE.

i ONE SAT'S BEST DEMArTBED. | PREVALENCE OF SUNDAY SPORTS. PRESBYTERIAN ASSEMBLY DISCUSSION. It was. reported hy the Sunday Observance Committee of the General Assembiy of the Presbyterian Church at to-day "a sitting in St. Andrew's Church, that in the face of many difficulties efforts had been made to keep the question of Sunday observance 'before the people. It was not a secondary matter, being at the ' root of many of the problems confronting the Church. Apathy and hostility could be expected from with out, but apathy '. also existed within. It was encouraging to learn that while in Britain, and her dependencies there seemed to 'be a steady ebb from the tin—-honoured observance of Sunday, the tide seemed to be flowing ■ I in the opposite direction on the Continent of Europe. In Austria only absolutely , necessary work was permitted on Sunday and trading in perishable- articles could be carried on only for four hours. In Belgium the regulations were more stringent, and in France, Germany, Italy, Denmark, Switzerland, and Sweden the law against Sunday labour was generally enforced. In Canada all labour, entertainments and pleasure excursions were for- . bidden and railway traffic largely suspended. The Canadian Lord's Day Alliance had done much to foster the movement, and tihe Imperial Sunday Alliance was working on the same lines. In New Zealand a bill was .before Pari—ment aiming at obtaining a seventh day rest, but it was not likely to become law for some time, and a strenuous battle would have -to be fought. The forces of labour were in earnest. in the matter, and would be willing to support any reasonable movement made by the Church. The formation of a Sunday Alliance was recomme—led for the purpose of co-ordin-ating the eiforts of all churches, labour and other organisations in the attainment of the following: To secure and pieserve tor every individual in the community, as far as is- practicable, the privilege of one day's rest in seven; to reduce Sunday labour .to a minimum consistent with the exigencies of necessity and mercy; in cases where Sunday labour has ibec—ne a proved necessity, to secure for the worker some other day in the week.as a day of rest. It was reported that the answers received to questions as to the forms of Sabbath profanation most common referred to golfing, - picnicking, gardening, fishing, shooting, motoring, band .practice, football, open-air conceit—, Sunday evening concerts, failure to sanctify the Sabbath, visiting and entertaining visitors, week ends, boating, cricket, training horses, idleness, holidaying, house building, fencing, occasional 'harvesting, clearing paddocks. A Sunday regatta was held at Queenstown last year owing to a stormy Saturday. In consequence the Church was affected by "diminished church attendance and interest in church work generally; irregular attendance at church and Sabbath school, due chiefly to Sunday visiting; increasing difficulty to get Sunday school teachers in sufficient numbers, and especially to get young men to take an interest in Christian work. The young are encouraged to disregard the Church and to ignore all religion. The religious services are sometimes interrupted by shooting." Suggestions received as to the best methods to cope with the position were: "Legislation, a clear -testimony, appeals to Christian people; more frequent pul-; pit reference, suitable literature. Professing Christians should take a stand in this matter, and be urged from the pulpit to do so. No public act of Sabbath desecration should he allowed to p._s unnoticed. Sabbath breakers should he remonstrated with privately. Church members should take a more active interest in getting good _en on our local town councils. A majority on the right side, is often the means of thwarting the most determined attempts to introduce Sunday concerts." ; The Committee submitted the follow-1 ing recommendations for adoption:— j (1) That the first or second Sabbath of December be observed throughout the i Church, as far as practicable, as a day i for directing the minds of young and old to the urgent necessity for sanctifying the Lord's Day; (2) that Sabbath Schools and Bible Classes be urged to give the subject a prominent place in their teaching and discussions; (3) cordially approve of the Sabbath observance cards, and urge upon parents and church workers to procure and circulate them; (4) approve of the formation of a Sunday Alliance on the lines of the constitution submitted, and authorise the formation of branches of the same; (5). authorise the appointment of corresponding members of the Committee in each Presbytery, with a view more especially of assisting in the formation of •branches of the Sunday Alliance; (6) authorise the Committee to out itself in communication .with the representatives of other churches and labour organisations, with a view to joint action in the matter of Sunday observance. The Rev. R. Ingles (Kandallah), in moving the adoption of the report, pointed out that industrialism had swept over the face of society in recent years, and changed the whole conditions, while avarice and pleasure* loving had materially influenced the harmful change to non-observance of the Sabbath. Greater unity in the movement was urged. The response of the Churcir to the effort made in the observance card was anything but encouraging. With the exception of Carterton and the city of Wellington, not a card was sold. Rev. A. Millar seconded. Rev. I. Jolly declared the danger to religion was not to 'be found so mucin rationalism as in pleasure-loving and the crowding out of religion in the lives of the young Wen and women toy yachting and indulging in otheT pleasure pursuits on the Sabbath. Rev. Gibson Smith (Wellington) thought the presentation of Sabbath observance reports each year was similar to the firing of a 'blank cartridge. The nett result of the reports had been nil. Unless the Assembly meant business, and memibers determined to heartily support the proposed Alliance, recommendations submitted in the report should not be adopted. Rev. D. Borrie urged that all the Christian Churches should simultaneously attack the question by literature and addresses from the pulpits, and with more support from the Church the desecration on the Sabbath would be less. Rev. T. Miller (Westport) complained that'some time ago the Premier addressed a public meeting of Denniston miners on a Sunday. Rev. Am Grey (Gore) suggested that the hours of Churoh service could be more conveniently arranged and the matter be referred to the committee for consideration. . •. Th* report m carried unanimously.

The McLennah;. (Southland) moved in accordance with notice given , that .<he,;AssemWyij-nsfc-j-uct,;ail.cpngre-, \ gations to - petition" the".Government for legislation to secure better observance . for the Lord's, Bay, and the Sabbath observance, committee outline the points upon which legislation was required. The motion .was negatived.