SABBATH OBSERVANCE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23247, 20 July 1937, Page 17

SABBATH OBSERVANCE

TO THE EDITOR

Sir, —Someone has said of the Sabbath that, as sure as it becomes a clay of pleasure, it will be bound to end in a day of work, and when it becomes a day of work the end of our Empire is not far off. The tendency now is to turn it into a day of pleasure. Cycling, motoring, golfing, bowling are threatening to invade the day of rest. This is the testimony of one whom many regard as the greatest preacher of modern times—the late Dr Alexander Whyte, of Edinburgh. In his hand book on “ The Shorter Catechism " he says: " Perhaps there is no surer sign of a falling Christian than a growing neglect of Sabbath day . ordinances, and an indolent, profane use of its priceless hours. There is no bulwark that parents can build up round their, children’s religion and morality like a well-kept Sabbath Day and there is no surer sign that a young man is declining from faith than when he begins to find his own pleasure and do his own work on the Lord’s Holy Day. It is an established fact of history that without true religion and its accompanying sound morality no State or nation can permanently

prosper. The ungodly empires, as well mere individuals, may flourish like a green hay tree for a time, but in due time prosperity runs its course and disaster comes. When States and empires have decayed and fallen the verdict of history is that they have fallen and perished as a result of a perverted religion and loose morals.” I am, etc., J. D. Brown. Mosgiei, July 17.