Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1884-07-30
THE sABBATARIANs.
Union Services by the Methodists and
Baptlsts- Able Dlscourses.
Special correspondence OF the Gazette


legislative enactment bearing on Sun
day observance. This Is the more
noticeable and there Is more friction
on the subject where, in any given
community, there exists large for
elgn-born or other element holding to
their own liberal views OH this point.
Only through these channels has there
ever been danger OF the introduction
! n this country of the Continental Sab
bath; and whatever be the character
istics of that peculiar liberality--so
called, certain II Is that many from
other than religious standpoint
stoutly contend that only upon the |
basis OF at least conventional observ-
ance of this day of rest has this republic |
been thus far maintained. In pro-
portion az this observance is de. |
creased are the elements OF destruction
introduced In our form of nopular free
government. 1t Is true the pulpit has
not given to the public more than
generally agreed upon proposition that
all unnecessary labor on Sunday is
contrary to the spirit of the Divine
law; but what may constitute an
everyday practical definition as to
what is allowable within the pale of
that law, ms to what constitutes "rest"
this Is perforce left to individual
dscernment. Unfortunately the class
of Illustrations most used in pulpit
discussions on this theme are not only
vapid, but lead to differences detri-
mental to what is sought to be taught.
Louisiana has no Sunday
law upon her statute
books, nor indeed laws of seemingly
still more import as between man aud
man. 1t is To the end that the legisla-
ture may be brought TO do what II can
toward Sabbath observance, that the
ministers of the state, aided 10y other
I Christian people, are bringing their
force to bear. Last sunday the Meth
Odists and Baptists OF this city held
union services, and the theme of the
day was sabbath rest.
Rev. Chas. +. Evans, ID. D., the able
pastor of the Methodist church,
preached in the morning from the text,
Remember the Sabbath Day." The
strength Of his discourse lay in the di-
rection of proving from every source
the physical, mental and spiritual me-
cessiIy of rest. To the large congrega-
ton present he elaborated
the following points; The Sabbath
day was known before Moses gave the
law on Mount Sinai; 1t was sanctiiied
al the cradle of the race in paradise.
Jcsephus, Philo and others testified tC
the universal knowledge and keeping
of such a day among every people. But
two original institutions were given In
Eden, the Sabbath and Marriage
Made for man, he ceases to be Other
than a responsible moral agent. can
didate for eternity; and it is important
in the multiplex relations Of life tina
such q season Of rest be given to view
ourselves as we are viewed.
i. The Sabbath was ordained as ,
day Of rest, 1t is not a day for indo
lence, il had not its origin in the politi
wisdom of priests or churches, bu
In the Author of our being. Al
nature illustrates the needs OF night.
rest, but this alone Is not enough
Viewed merely without reference +
spiritual matters, this day of res
, comes as a boon to the laboring ma
and must be given him even through
, legislative enactment.
> Is our civilization prepared to sa
that the poor man shall have Onl
, time TO eat, drink and sleep? Has hi
mind no hunger? The speaker pleade'
for the emancipation of the poor ma
from toll on this day that his ments
improvement may make him bette
citizen.
3. The value of this day to the poor ha
been illustrated by such as Kepler tn
mathematician, Ferguson the chemist
Watt, Newton, Stephenson, Frank
, lin, Shakespeare, Luther, Carey, RIOS
I 90. Nxr;li,,,,n. and fbnnsanHa of pfhpl
! in every walk of life.
. 4. The fifty-two Sabbaths of eac
. year give, in life of sixty, time equ,
to ten years opportunities for mehl'
improv ement. In the United State
= more than elsewhere ON the globe th
I obscure poor have been lifted into ell
inence in all departments of publ
n and useful life, and by legislative Ell
n aetment the poor should be protecte
J., liz the possession of the Sabbath.
5. The poor have no other time IL
improvement.
6. They are deprived of this day b
d covetousness of employers In SO far
q any business, public or private, is ca
. o ried on.
. I. In Shreveport are probably 3,Ol
. men, of whom $500 depend ON dali
. toll for living; to increa'
their work By day is equal To increai
of number of laborers by 400; the on
come of which would he disastrous
the absence of an increase OF demah
for products. -,
The speaker then dwelt upon Il
!. state and city permitting saloons
l. be open Oh sunday AS detrimental
those so engaged and injurious to I'll
= nublic. Heauoted authorities to prov
the physical injury of drinking an
= the decreased value of employees give
to dissipation. God Almighty hi
= fixed the time exactly right and yo
cannot improve upon IL; rest da
g from toll, from work: day for con
lnunion with God and Improvement.
g The speaker did not ask nor did an.
t one, that men be made religious /
law, but that by law they be freed
e encilmbrances on that day and ha'
d opportunity for mental and moral In
e prOyement.
r At night DIR. J. A. Hackett, past,
Of the Baptist church, followed d
e Evans theme, preaching from Il
text keep it holy.n He urged tn
to do this necessitated:
/. Sunday laws.
=, BY setting q good example.
: g. by teaching our children. &c
promised prosperity to those who kel
e this law.
The speaker then gave illustration
of disaster to Sabbath breakers. II
| ,,ro.d unon Christian peODle 1t