Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1883-06-04
Christian Uses of Sunday.

Discussion by Rev. mir. Eaoughton at the
Church of the Messiah-sunday Horse
Cars and Sunday Libraries Discussed.
Last evening Rev. Mr.. Houghton, pastor
of the Church of the Messiah, discoursed on
1.-THE Christian uses of Sunday" He select
ed as the basis of his discourse st. Mark End
chapter, 9th verse: 1.-The Sabbath was
made for man and not man for the Sabbath"
The preacher spoke in substance as fol-
lows: Whatever is human is Christian; and
when we elevate the people we serve God.
The world was made that we might reach
comparative perfection through it and that
devine wisdom that gives energy and beauty
to all we see around us has extended it that
we might appreciate and improve by 1t. We
feel that as the ages move along and we look
to God through the eyes of this century we
find that serving him is something different
from that of our ancestors There will be
those here to night who will think that the
pre- acher takes very progressive ground. We
are climbing the hills and trying to settle
new questions as they come to us. The
time was when it was taught that God Gre
ated this earth in six days and rested on the
seventh There is not man or woman that
does not break the old puritanical Sunday
in one way or another. The world is becon-
ing tired of the old theology. We want to
understand then what the Christian Sunday
of to-day is. Do you know that the service
of Sunday to day is not much for the
worship of God as it is because church going
women who are compelled to work in shops
and stores for six days in the
week and they feel that on the
seventh day they want little change.
They have no private conveyance to go to
the sea shore or to the hills. Then l say
that it is right that the horse cars should run
on Sunday that these people who attend no
ohy1 hal
that every railroad should run on Sunday SO
that people may go if they wish to go. It is
the old puritanic idea that Keeps these poor
people at home and prevents them from get
ting breath of fresh air for their children
and themselves. There may be some who
would go who might be as well at home but
these trips would bring health to the poor
and down trodden of our city. do not
believe Sunday should become a secular day,
but1 believe there is a limit. believe those
who profess the most are apt to practice the
least.
Again we have certain libraries in the CITY
and believe the people should be allowed to
go to those libraries on Sunday and read such
books as they choose. I do not believe it
would keep the people away from the church.
We want to touch the human heart by up
holding those things that the heart needs.
We should try to bring the people into closer
relations with the church by encouraging
those things that improve and elevate body,
mind and soul 1 am aware that am talking
to people of a city that is noted
for its conservatism, yet it shall be my en-
deavor to give sensible ideas on the subject
of religion. We want more of the spirit of
Christ on this subject Whatever brings
needed rest to the people on Sunday is right
I think it is necessary for great day of
rest, and it is better that the people should |
go ont and breathe the pure air of heaven |
than to be shut up in unhealthy attics and |
easements where they inhale the seeds of dis |
ease. In conclusion, while 1 hope we will |
all think and act for ourselves, and when the |
bugle calls us on the shores of the New Je- |
rusalem do you think he who sits upon the |
throne will ever condemn US because we |
went out and breathed the pure air of heaven |
on Sunday, o, no; it will only beP Have you |
done your work well and methinks he who |
sitteth there will say, Well done. good and /
faithful servant, thou hast been faithful over
2 few things will make thee ruler over many
things.