SUNDAY OBSERVANCE.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15478, 4 January 1916, Page 3

SUNDAY OBSERVANCE.

TO THE EDITOR OF "THE TRESS."

Sir,—Mr Clarkson -would like me to keep him company in tho inconsistent attitude he has taken up. He is in sympathy, he says, with tho objects of the Lord's Day Alliance, but in "these strenuous times'' would., apparently, throw the Lord's Dav, and every other hampering law, overboard, in order to win this war, just as the Germans are doing. As religious services on Sunday. are interfered, with, he .proposes that we arrange!, for religious services at Oxford, and. offers to us, as to tho returned soldiers, tho bait of a free' ride. No, thank you; our religion'is not a cloak, neither do we believe that "the end iustifies the means." If,' as lyj says, tho" excursion is intended to be a great recruiting demonstration, that is. another reason why it should conform to British ' rather than German methods; . How . can wo expect tho Almighty to, smile upon any unchristian attempts to outmanoeuvre the enemy or out-Herod Herod? The president of the Automobile Association is quite wrong in saying that "no serious objection was taken to the last Sunday demonstration." All the minis, ters consulted by tho Mayor, .with general approval, of their people, objected to it, and only gave in when the Defence Minister assured them that it was a simple church parade and the last and only available opportunity for "prayer with the departmg soldiers." Many were ashamed of the result. Warlike accoutrements, clamour, confusion, hakas, and rollicking "songs are not tho usual accompaniments of church parades and do not particularly grace the Lord's Day. "What if, as some suppose, Sabbath profanation lias become a national sin among the British people and is one reason whv a speedy victory over a lawless enemy is denied us? Will the Automobilo; Association run the risk of helping to prolong" tho war or endangerihg tho issue? I don't envy them if thev do. We repeat, before the association calls upon ether people to make sacrifices . let its members sacrifice a little of their own time and convenience by arranging their excursion for a working day. In this wav only can thev secure a good conscience for themselves and refrain from insulting and dividing the religious community at a time when unity is so essential.—Yours, etc..

JOHN DICKSON.. Agent for the Lord's Day Alliance and convener of tho Christchurch Presbyterian Sabbath Observance Association.