REPORTS OF DEPARTMENTS.

White Ribbon, Volume 15, Issue 179, 18 May 1910, Page 5

REPORTS OF DEPARTMENTS.

Sabbath Observance. My work for tin* year has been very varied. Early in the year I saw by the papers that there was a movement to increase the work in the Chief Cost Office in Auckland, proposing to make up and deliver a mail on Sundays, so as to give business men the opportunity of answering letters a day earlier. I wrote to the Chief Cost master, Auckland, also the Premier and I’ostmaster-Oenend, protesting against this, and believe did some good. Last October I wrote to the City Council, Christchurch, thanking them for their action n Sunday concerts, assuring them of our sympathy and gratification at the firm stand they had taken in the interest of Sabbath Observance.

Pkionk.— Protested against the bands parading the streets on Sundays during the hours of Sunday School or Divine Service. When their appeal to the hand eondiietors failed appealed to the Mayor on the ground that it drew away the children’s attention, and spoiled the attendance at Sunday School. This won the day, and the hands are now not allowed to parade on Sunday. During the year an attempt has been made at Timaru to open the tea rooms at Caroline Hay for refreshments on Sundays. Petitions wero presented to the Municipal Council. Legal advice was takfii from two different firms. In each case the advice* given was that it would be an illegal act. I have been delighted and very much cheered by the action of the Presbyterian Church in this work. They are very progressive and recommend “that if practicable the Committee take such united action as they deem lit, along with other Christian bodies, to secure some amendment of the Sabbath Law.” They also wish to issue wall sheets suitable for placing on th° walls of our schools and other public rooms. I think we might help in this by distributing the sheets. We, being undenominational, could do so, where a Church could not.

I.ust January I went to Timaru to attend, as a visitor, the Primitive Methodist Conference. < >ne of the Delegates asked me if I were going to wait on Conference re Sabbath Observance. lie thought it would he a good opportunity, especially as the subject was coming before them. I interviewed th** Timaru officers of our Cnion and we agreed to form a deputation and wait upon the Conference, consisting of Mesdames Utile, Bardsley, Trott, and myself.

Wo were well received, and later resolutions were passed. If an Act could he passed making it illegal to do anything necessitating the hiring of conveyances for any excursion on which passengers pay, we shall go a long way to stop the Sunday picnics which are so pievalent. Some people say they see no harm in using the tram on Sundays, that the tram employees have their day of rest. But 1 hold that no other day is equal to Sunday.

NVaimate distributes Sunday literature and takes care of little children whilst the mothers attend Church services. 1 attribute the lack cf Sahhath < thservance to one thing /Xhi / i'l'. It /AY t'K. There is great indifference on tint part of the young people of this l)omiuion towards all things which would make for their good. 1 decisive steps should he taken to stop Sunday holiday parties, Sunday trains, trams, etc. I believe that to keep holy the Sahhath bay is incumbent on all Christians, and if this commandment is broken evil will be the result. Clara Lill, N.Z. Superintendent.