Sunday Observance

Feilding Star, Volume IX, Issue 116, 1 May 1888, Page 2

Sunday Observance

In our correspondence column " Pigeon" calls attention to the practice followed by a number of persons of making Sunday a day for sport and amusement. He points out that this bad example is likely to be a direct encouragement to- the young larrikins who are only too delighted to see those whom they are inclined to look up to, treating with contempt a day they hare been taught to respect as a time set apart for religious observance. We are aware considerable laxity m this is allowed in certain European countries, but, we English are, as yet, somewhat straitlaced, and do not approve of wholesale Sabbath breaking, even in thename of sport. If it is right for one man to go shooting it is just as right for another to play billiards or skittles. Football, cricket, lawn tennis, or theatrical performances, are all in their way quite as innocent >a_s slaughtering game, but if any attempt were made to introduce them on Sunday, and make that day the occasion of fun and amusement, there would be a cry of indignation heard from all decent and respectable people who have some respect left for the religious amenities of life. Our correspondent appears to think Sunday shooting is against the laws we live under. In this he is wrong. The only offender who could be punished is he who " earns his living" as a purveyor of game. He being caught shooting on Sunday would be "pursuing his ordinary occupation," and therefore liable to pains and penalties. The only law Sabbath breakers have to keep them in order is the moral law, and the weight of public opinion.