New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-05-20
ENFORCED RESTRICTIONS Essential
By THE REV. DR.. WILLIAM ORMISTON-DUTCH
REFORMED

| By THE REV. DR.. WILLIAM ORMISTON-DUTCH
REFORMED
| To the Edftor Of me Tribune.
| SIR: The article headed Sunday in New York
published in The TRIBUNE, l have read with IN
terest and attention. The subject is wide and en-
braces many points. the discussion of which is rs
delicate and difficult as it is urgent and important
The practical questions connected with the obser-
vance Of Sunday IN New-Yor6 which press for i'm
mediate solution. are diversified and intricate and
involve many apparently conflicting interests. The
health and the hopes of our citizens the material
and moral prosperity of the city, the power and
progress of Christianity among us. depend upon the
character of our Sunday observance. How best In
maintain and perpetuatc the religious Obser, ance
of the day. amid vast population varied in orr
gin and differing so widely in religions sentiment,
training and traditions is problem worthy of the
profOundest consideration of every patriotic pious
and Christian citizen.
1t is of the utmost importance for tho due r-cogn-
ton and the suitable observance of the day that
correct views be held concerning its origin and
claims. " The Sabbath was made for man." 1t is
divine in its authority and universal in its adapa
ton to human circumstances and needs. For rea-
sons connected with His being and for the best
interests Of mankind Individually and as a race
the Creator wisely allotted and solemnly sane
toned definite portion time for refreshing rest
and religious service The divine Injunction is that
men shall rest on that day and keep il holy The
Institution Is primeva ana anedates every form of
civil government or dlspensatiOn of religion, but
is lifted for Incorporation with any. Rest on the
ono day is rs clearly divine law and human ne
cesslty as labor on the other six. Unidentified
toll eXhausts mans energies, lessons his euoyments
and shortens his life it also deprives him of the
necessary leisure ana opportunity for tho cutiva-
ton of his spiritual faculties As mans physical
and spiritual nature requires some portion of time
so his social nature renders q common time not
only proper but Indispensable Neither the needed
rest nor the desired religious culture and service
can be attained Individually 1t is very desirable
that the whole community should, as far a. prac
tcable, ENJOY the rest and improve the privilege for
the highest ends OF their being and in high moral
state Of society this might be secured
The question. however is not what Theoretically
Is best and most desirable, but what. In existing
circumstances, is best and practically attainable
Under the theOcracy the law of the Sabbath AZ n
part OF the civil code OF the nation was enforced bv
penalties as any other of the divinely Sanctioned
epactmentS. But under any form of merely human
government, even where the being and authority
OF God are acknowledged tho law cannot be en-
forced on purely religious grounds nor can anv
human authority constrain man to consecrate the
day by spending 1t in religious services All that
wise and ludicious legislation ought to do is to Sc
cure as FAR as practicable, TO every citizen the
peaceful enjoyment of the day as a day OF rest and
to interdIot whatever necessarily tends to hinder or
annoy any one in the proper exercises of his reig-
ious worship.
since wise and benign civil government should
insureo all Its citizens the rest Of one day in seven
as an inalenable human right, and s,nue on other
grounds Christians generally hold the first day of
the week as sacred day devoted to religious SER
Vices 1t Is surely within the pc wers of the civil
authorities of the State to appoint that day as the
Gay OF rest and to enact that all ordinary business
and all public service be supscnded on that day, so