The Evening critic. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1881-1885, 1884-01-08
rho sabbath Qucs,ion.


In tho columns OF our secular contempora-
fies we see announcements published from
time to time that such and such n Jewish
minister IS 10 lecture on Sunday--an intima-
tion not OF much Significance or importance
In Itself, but made important by being coupled
with the suggestion that II is Intended as the
beginning OF an attempt TO break away from
the CID Jewish Sabbath and 10 substitute tho
first day OF the week for tho seventh as the day
OF worship and rest.
Now there are no dosbt restless aud ambl.
tious souls among the jewish preachers who
are desirous OF gaining nOtorieiy by almost
any means within their reach, anu VINO possi-
bly, may dream that 1t can be done by heading
crusade for the purpose OF sacrificing the
Sabbath OF their fathers. But II Is one thing
Tor few restless people to imagine that such
movement could be carried out, aud quite
another 10 achieve their object. As long as
giving up tho Sabbath means the renunciatlon
OF all that IL distinctive IN Judaism, It ia plain
That 10 make tho change Is II very different
thing from talking about II. Aud the Sabbath
OF the jew Is the most distinct and liked mark
OF judaism. II is the ancient badge OF his re-
ligion-placed upon him by tho nuger
world as such by the traditions
of more than thirty centuries Not alo ne In
modern times has the seventh day OF the
week been Kept holy by Israelites-but In the
days OF tho power OF Greece and Rome, OF
Assyria and Philletin, OF heathen tribes whose
names and prowess have always been forgot
ten-all along through tho dim and dark cen
turtles that the world has known since the days
OF Moses, the worshipers OF the one true God,
have Get apart His Sabbath in His honor aud
the world has heard oft. 70 speak OF chang
Ing the record OF history-Of setting inspired
commands at deflance-Of unteachlng tho ira
ditiOns OF more Than a hundred jewish gen
erRtiCns--ls to talk IDLY OF effecting that which
Is impossible, When the jew shall DO ready
TO give up his Sabbath he will not care about
retaining anything else, not even his name,
and no VIII DO ready To cease 10 DO n jew.
1t matters not II II Is urged that the attend
ance Mt temples and synagogues is small on
the Sabbath-that has nothing to do with the
argument. God Ia none the less the true OBJ
ject OF mans worship though they shall
neglect to gather themselves together In HIS
honor and TO send up their prayers TO HIN.
II Is lamentable that so many neglect to
attend public worship; but can IL DO safely
argued that this would be improved II the day
OF public worship was changed? II men
wish 10 'gather In the courts of the Lords
House. they Will do II on one day as we'll as
on anothcr-and II is q fact that this is largely
matter OF habit which varies with time and
seasons.
At the came time 1t must be admitted that a
full attendance on public worship upon the
once and forever tho mischleyous plans or
those who are trying to effect n little notOrlety
by starting off on the Sunday lecture crusade.
Perhaps the ministers who devoutly cling u
the old order OF things and deprecato mis-
chievous changes can lind out for themselves
where the fault lies that the synagogue wOr-
ship Is not better attended, and can discover
the means OF making an Improvement IN this
respect. But OF one thing all may rest as
surcd-that so long as Judaism retains It's
name the jewish Sabbath VIII rematn .iias
distinguishing feature and Will be .Ls0fffs
garded and cherished. SsElfR
s---u,relr4l-
DO Not OyeNkS6K Tbisl
Two hundred hsxSs6Hd children oyercoats
at SO. %, WOrlAtttf.DO, NJ, Il, Elsemau under