SABBATH OBSERVANCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20727, 21 November 1930, Page 13

SABBATH OBSERVANCE.

ATTITUDE OF CHURCHES.

LEADERS DEFINE PRINCIPLES. WORKERS' DAY OF REST. A joint statement on the principles of Sunday observance was issued yesterday by Archdeacon G. Mac Murray, Vicar-Gen-eral of the Diocese of Auckland; the Rev. G. Budd, Moderator of the Presbyterian Church, of New Zealand; the Rev. E. Drake, chairman of the Methodist Church in the Auckland district; the Rev. Joseph Kemp, chairman Auckland Baptist Union; and the Rev. R. C. Roberts, chairman Auckland Congregational Union. The pronouncement, which was prepared by the Rev. W. Lawson Marsh, says : "Much of the opposition to Sunday restrictions on trade and sport is based on misunderstanding of their primary purpose. Experience has abundantlj proved the absolute necessity for a weekly period of rest from toil and care. It is essential to physical and mental vigour; it increases industrial efficiency; and as a factor in social welfare and happiness its importance is incontestable. Attempts to abolish the observance of Sunday have commonly ended in disaster, as in the case of the munition workers in the Great War, when it was found that a seven-day working week not only impaired the health and efficiency of the individual employee, but actually reduced the total output. "Corner Stone of Civilisation." "Sunday restrictions are, therefore, not to be regarded as 'puritanical tyranny,' but safeguards for the interests of the whole community. Long before the Reformation the worker's day of rest was threatened by persistent attempts to exploit it for private profit; again and again legislation was called for to preserve the day which Disraeli, Earl of Beaconsfield, well describes as 'the greatest boon ever conceded to man and the corner stone of civilisation.' "The practical effect of disregarding Sunday restrictions is best illustrated by the fact that, to-day, in England alone, two million workers have lost their Sunday, and the number of those compelled to work on that day is continually iucreasing. "Although many of those who have to work on Sunday get time off during the week, it cannot be too strongly emphasised that a general observance of the same day of rest greatly enhances its value. Apart from the atmosphere of rest and quiet no other 'day off' meets the requirements of family life. It is an incalculable gain to have a day universally devoted to the better genius of mankir.^—when man is king of his own life and when everyone can enjoy the dignity of being his own master. Such considerations must convince all good citizens that the institution of a universal day of rest is a birthright not to be lightly bartered away on the specious plea for more profits or even more amusements. But there are even weightier reasons for resisting present day tendencies : Proper Use of Sunday. 'The greatest danger to modern life comes from its ceaseless stress and strain which presses hard upon the nobler elements of personal character and threatens, if unchecked, to make man the mere puppet of ruthless materialism. Sunday reminds us that 'man does not live by bread alone,' and that 'where there is no vision the people perish.' Even those who owe no allegiance to Church or organised religion will hesitate to overthrow an institution so vitally related to the higher life of the people. "To those who call themselves Chris, tians we say that Sunday is the fortress of their spiritual life. It is pre-eminently the day of communion with their risen Lord and Saviour in sacrament, worship and the service of their fellow-men. While we do not dictate how the day should be spent, we unhesitatingly affirm that any practice which is incompatible with its highest use for oneself and others is disloyalty to the Lord whose clay it supremely is. Guardianship of the Church.* "An intelligent understanding of the opportunities and privileges of Sunday would make it both the most valued and the happiest day of the week for young and old. Practical difficulties should be settled not by the question 'ls this wrong in itself ?' but 'ls this the best I can do?' "In virtue of this rule the Christian Church becomes the natural guardian of the world's rest-day. In turn Sunday becomes the chief opportunity for the Church to discharge her sacred offices. Since these are devoted to the highest good of the people and the general welfare of the nation it should be the concern of all good citizens to discourage whatever definitely hinders or stultifies her work.

"We confidently claim the support of our fellow-citizens in preserving the time-honoured and beneficent institution of Sunday from exploitation by those with no higher aims than private profit or personal pleasure."