The Portland daily press., 1883-05-17
How shall We Use our sundsys9

To The Edttor Of the Press.
1t was my privilege to preach on this subject
last Sunday morning to large congregation.
Glad as 1 was to have this hearing, it is my
desire to have the aid of the PRESS ia reaching
still larger audience. The subject seems to
me to be one OF Immense importance l wish
TO have it widely and earnestly considered. I
should be glad to know that every pulpit in
thecountry persistently brought it to the nc
tice of the laity.
For he who thinks upon the subject soon
sees that the Sunday is not as honored as it
ought to be. The newspaper, the magazine,
the summer days by sea aud mountain, have
made men and women neglect the services of
the sanctuary. Doubt has troubled mems
minds-over-work, greed, ambition, idleness
nave made men ignore meditation upon the
deep things of the spirit.
Deploring the neglect Of attendance at
church, but desiring TO meet the common
sense demand for wise use of Sunday, spoke
to my hearers on Sunday morning aud write for
m readers now, in behalf of use of the day
which ought to approve itself, as it seems TO
me, 10 all those who believe that "the Sabbath
was made for man, and not man for the Sab
bath"
plead, then, first OF all, for a constant dt-
tendance al church every Sunday inorafaq. L
solemnly believe that this habit helps men
physically, intellectually, spiritually. To 90
from home TO church, To meet men and women
in the larger spiritual home, to listen to m usic
and hymn. TO prayer and scripture and sermon.
refreshes the body, stimulates the mind, quick
ems the feelings. Therwisest men confirm this
declaration.
plead for a different use of the afternoon.
The Sunday school, of course, mast have its
place In this letter | cannot have space 70
consider its usefulness. 1t will command the
service OF those who lind its iabors SO joyful as
TO take the place OF the use ] commend for
those who are not teachers. believe that
wise use of the afternoon OF Sunday is two
fold--one use for those who are not closely con-
fined in doors during the week, another for
those who are.
For the first class / urge studv Of the hast
literature; for the second urge spending the
Sunday afternoon out door. And when | re-
meme0r how many men and women are COM
PEELED to pass the week in stores, factories and
machine shops, believe that the dear Master,
who said that 1.-THE Sabbath was made for
man" would say to them, "Walk over the
country roads-stroll by the sea shore-ride in
to the woods" Moreover it seems 10 me de-.
sirable for those tcho are thUs closelv confined
on labor during the ,oeek that there should be
aud places where simpe refreshments coald be
obtained. God forbid that America eshould
have the Continental Sunday with lis beer par-
dens aud beer guzzlingi But God grant that
America may make Sunday afternoon delight
ful for the great masses Of toiling men aud
womenl
For the Sunday evening, would have q use
which deepens family love. But since there
are some who cannot attend church In the
mo nink and some who greatly enjoy an even
t....a 81
ing service ana since Tor many young people
the boarding house Is Rot attractive, believe
IN having some church open at least part of
the time. | am willing, for one, to contribute
what little help l can render by evening SER
vices twice q month during seven months OF
the year. IL our churches should combine In
wise, loving Christian union, we might easily
have services somewhere nearly every Sunday
evening of the year.
Stul, / o1mmend the home TO the majority
OF men and women for the Sunday evening
Even gatherings of friends and neiehhors in
pleasant conversation or singing Of sacred
music seem TO me fitting for the sunday.
would it were possible to make these evenings
precious to the children by Scripture aud
sacred songs, but | eau see that ennobliug
history or biography or strory NAV well have a
place in the Sabbath which was made for
man. Jesus Christ said "Why even OF your
selves judge ye not what Is right He was the
apostle Of the free, the reverent conscience
tie was not dominated by the traditions OF his
peVpiei ne ielt niinSei lfee TO oppose ancient
custom. But he attended the synagogue: he
observed ceremonials. He was free in
thought; he was wise in action Ia his name,
l ask men To consider the subject "How shall
we use our Sundays?" II they will consider
the service OF the church to society-if they
will study the immense value Of Sunday TO ali.
and especially To those who labor hard, dare
TO believe that they will agree with me that a
wiss use OF Sunday, however much they be-
lieve IN newspapers, magazines, walks, riding
must Include constant, oevout attendance mp
on church services on Sunday mornings
Fraternally yours,
HENRY BLANCHARD,
234 State street, May 10, 1883.