SHALL OUR SABBATHS BE REASONS OF HIGHEST ENJOYMENT, OR TIMES OF MENTAL DEPRESSION AND PHYSICAL WEARINESS?

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVI, Issue 5355, 15 January 1879, Page 3

SHALL OUR SABBATHS BE REASONS OF HIGHEST ENJOYMENT, OR TIMES OF MENTAL DEPRESSION AND PHYSICAL WEARINESS?

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —The writerof the local in this morning's issue, re the early-closing movement, must_ have been affected by the very depressing influence of the weather. I ce--tainly differ from him, both as to the measure of success alreadj' achieved and our prospects for the future. When Messrs. Close, Hewin, and others came forward so nobly to advocate the movement, I deemed success assured, and the result has exceeded our most sanguine expectations. The unan- ' imity displayed is a clear proof of how i general is the conviction that some change is needed ; and the way in which. s the matter has been carried out is | most creditable to the grocers as a body. I shall esteem my fellow-tradesmen much more highly henceforth for their generous , compliance with the reasonable request of their assistants, and their readiness to unite for the general good. I am surprised that my friends, Holland atid Fortzer, who have so recently left the ranks of the assistants, should stand aloof from the movement, and thus influence others to keep open. I hope they will be led to re-consider their decision. Should they still oppose and frustrate our s object, after all our efforts and expense, I am sure they will regret so doing till the latest day of their lives ; but I hope for the " best. Now is the time for the drapers to take prompt and immediate action. If they join with the grocers, and let them "strike while the iron's hot," aud make Friday market-night—all closing at 2 o'clock p.m. on Saturday, as stationers, ironmongers, and go many others do already—tho thing is done, and everyone will benefit 1 by the change ; masters, assistants, 1 and (none more so) the procrastinating purchasers, who put ofF their shopping till the eleventh hour on Saturday, and drag wearily home at midnight, rising on the Sabbath nearly as fagged and jaded as the over-worked shopkeeper. Surely employers of labour will help us in our work, by paying their men on Friday instead of , Saturday. To say that their wages would j all be spent in tbe public-house on Friday night, and no work would be done on Saturday, is a gross libel on our working brothers. As a Christian people, is it not a disgrace to us that we work so hard and long on the sixth day of the week that wc are unGt to serve or worship the Almighty on the seventh ? Let us get our work done early on the Saturday, and make it the pre paration for the Sabbath—by rest, not double toil. Then shall we be able to praise our beneficent Creator with and understanding, and clear heads, and really enjoy that priceless boon—our Christian Sabbath ; and may none of us forget that A Sabbatli well spent Britips a week of content. And health for th<! toils of the morrow : But a Sabbath profaned, Whato'er may be lined, Is a certain forerunner of sorrjw. Jleartily wishing the movement God-speed, —lam, &c., A Gkocku. January 13.* P.S. — What some may think more to the point: Though I took less cash on Saturday, the extra on Friday and today more than compensated for the deficieucy.