SABBATH OBSERVANCE.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 321, 7 October 1908, Page 8

SABBATH OBSERVANCE.

DISCUSSED BY HAWKE'S BAY PRESBYTERY. "THE DAY OF AMUSEMENT." (lif TELEGRArn—rfESS ASSOCIATION* } Napier, October 6. Tho Rev. J. E. Hill, in a speech at the meeting of tho Hawko's Bay Presbytery today, said he had been for nearly liino months stationed in tho new charge of Taradalo and ClivG. He had kept his eyes and ears open, and had taken a keen observation of what went on all over his district. In Taradale tliero were three tea gardens, and two were within half a mile of tho church and manse, while ono was within a few yards of the church. In theso a great trade was dono on tho Lord's Day, and when grapes were ripo there was a constant stream of peoplo goin<* to and from the gardens. He lott it to members of tho Presbytery to see how trying it was in a new cliargo when the church bells were ringing for evening service to have this stream of people passing. The children, who wore very keen-sighted, noticed theso things. Then there was tho Greenmcadows Rowling Club's green, whero playing was carried on on tho Lord's Day. It was altogether beside tho mark for the officials to say that they did not recognise the play or countenance playing on the Lord's Day. Tho play was engaged in. He would like himself to bo a bowler and to indulge in the pastime, as any young man would, but ho declined absolutely to have anything to do with a bowling club which openly opened its green on tho Lord's Day. The Waiohiki golf links were roughly some two miles away from the Taradalo Church, and they were largely used on tho Sabbath, much more largely than oil other days in tho week. In Clive there was something of tho same stato of affairs. There, close, to tho church was one of the most beautiful parks in Hawke's Bay. When ho passed it going to services on tho Sabbath, it was generally black with men and youths ongagod in pastimes of all kinds. Then, in addition to public pjay, they had a great amount of play on private land. They found people playing tennis, croquet, football, and cricket in adjoining paddocks, and it seemed that Sunday was the day of amusement in the district. t (HI TEtEGBAPH.—SrECIAL CORRESPONDENT.) Napier, October 6. In the course of his speech on Sabbath doseeration at tho meeting of the Presbytery to-day, tho Rev. J. E. Hill appealed to the members of the Presbytery to make it clear to the people of this province whero the Church stood in this matter. He believed that it would be a stimulus, to the people ill tho district and a moans of strengthening and helping Christianity throughout the land. If the Presbytery could not stem the current, it might lift up its righteous hand of protest and tell its responsibility in the sight of Almighty God. After a lengthy discussion,, it was decided, on the motion of the Rev. Mr. Patterson, seconded by tho Rev. Mr. Hayward, "That this Presbytery deplores the widespread Sabbath desecration within its bounds ; urges tho peoplo of the various congregations to use their influence in the direction of' Sabbath observance; and recommends that ministers preach on the Sabbath law on some suitable date."