"SABBATH" OBSERVANCE.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3795, 13 September 1883, Page 3

"SABBATH" OBSERVANCE.

[To the Editor of the Daily Telegraph.] " Meke the Sabbath a delight." Sir,—About a week ago a very sensible letter appeared in your columns on tho above subject, signed "A Working Man," wherein the writer correctly set forth what a really through Biblical observance of the " Sabbath " would lead to. Tho question of observing tho first day of tho week as a close holiday frequently crops up in your columns, and iv those of your contemporary, in the form of letters ancl paragraphs concerning tho matter of the Union steamers calling at the port on that day. Now, Sir, I cannot help thinking that theso comments and expressions of righteous indignation are not entirely unmixed with intcrestedncss, and I must say they aro decidedly illogical. The argument is that, in consequence of tho steamers occasionally calling here on Sundays, a few persons are required to work who otherwise would be disengaged, ancl that the town, on those days when vessels arc in port, presents " a scene of worldly business " —whatever that may mean. But there is another way of looking at tho question. Whom does this "scone of wordly business " on the " Sabbath "offend? Those only who, forming the smallest proportion of the population, cannot for appearance sake, and to bo anything consistent with their professions, enjoy tho day themselves. Certainly it is no oif once to the tradesman, tho clerk, the mechanic, or the day laborer, who, having no relaxation it may be during the whole week, is but too glad to jump aboard a cab and take a drive to tho Spit, or, if he can afford it, pay his half-crown aud enjoy a trip out :to the anchorage in the Boojum, and inspect tho big steamers which arc available to him on these occasions only. No, Sir ; it occurs to me there are other considerations than a feeling of philanthropy towards the few officials and cabmen who aro required to bo at their post once in a while on Sundays, but I shall not breathe my misgivings least I should be deemed uncharitable. I would, however, ask those persons who apparently take pleasure in continually agitating this question, (probably with sinister motives in view), whether they have ever heard of such a thing as straining at a gnat and swallowing a camel? In my opinion that is exactly what they aro doing. Tho greatest good is for tho greatest number, and if by the occupation of a handful of men on an occasiemal Sunday—who if not thus engaged would probably be illustrating the truth of the old adage about Satan finding mischief for idle hands —if by tbe occupatiem of these mon, I say, healthful and innocent recreation is provided for fifty or sixty times their number, then whence the necessity for all this grumbling. Lot us try and "make the Sabbath a delight," and not a day of solemn misery as some would have it. I had far rather work on Sunday to provide enjoyment for ten or twenty of my fellow men than sco our streets deserted (save when the churchgoers line the footpaths), and tho spirit crushed out of our young men and maidens on that clay, as was tho case in my native town in Scotland when I left it some ten years ago. I sincerely trust that in tho coming summer and autumn months efforts will be made to arrange for Sunday pleasure excursions in tho bay, as I have reason to believe that such would be highly conducive to the morality of tho town, as well as beneficial to the health of its inhabitants. At present Sunday is too much a day of idleness, and for want of '' somo place to go " many a young man falls into evil habits and injures himself both socially and physically. —lam, &c, No Puritan. Napier, September 1(5, 18S3,