Mexico weekly ledger., 1893-07-13
THE OBSERVANCE OF SUNDAY.
Elder James Bradiey's Views on q
Much A~g,tated Question Just Now.
To the Editor Of the Ledger.

ND, July Hs sao
discussion of the Sunday question
IS up we had just as we'll have our
say about it as not, and so will pro-
,eed to say il whether it be worth
much or not.
In the first place we do not be-
lieve this is a Christian nation;
that is, as a nation ii has adopted
no religion nor hast formulated any
Therefore, from this stand
point, it should not pass any laws as
religious or Christian obligations.
But as a nation we have acknowl-
edged God, and have acknowledged
Him as the supreme ruler governing
and controlling the destinies of ma
tons. AS such we have acknowl-
edged His law as the supreme law;
the most just and at the same time
the most beneficent.
The observance of the Sabbath is
not based upon the law of Christian
ity. "Thou shalt remember the
Sabbath day to keep it holy" was
promulgated from the eternal throne
long before the word Christian had
an existence, or before Christianity
as now understood had been heard
of. The law of the Sabbath was
given as best for a nation andif best
for one nation then best for all ma
tons; and if best for a nation in one
age then best for a nation in every
age. History has demonstrated
that God was not mistaken in PRO-
mitigating and enforcing such a law ;
that to observe strictly one day in
seven as a day OF rest is best for
an and beast; that it is absolutely
essential to the well-being of both
man and beast. 1t is fanaticism
that demands its observance by the
nation from a Christian standpoint
The proper thing is to demand its
observance from its moral ane
physical benefits; not so much as {
sin against Christianity but as vic
lation of the laws of the nation baset
upon the commands of the Grea
Lawgiver, and for the general ben
eft accruing to all mankind. Blu
it has looked to us like there was
!, great deal of buncomb about thi
Worlds Fair opening on Sunday
1t affords an opportunity for som
: people to parade before the world
false piety. We say false piety be
cause people have made a great adj
about this that have entirely neg
lected more, if possible, weighte
; matters at home.
We want it distinctly understood
S that we believe in a strict observanc
r of the Sabbath; but we despise tina
Z religion or irreligion, as you ma
Il please to term it, that strains at
gnat and swallows a camel; ths
looks over open and fragrant viols
t tons of the one blessed day at hi
own door and sees no wrong till b
gets to Chicago. Had the obserN
ance of the Sabbath been strict
enforced / n all our homes and a
{ our cities there never would hay
been an attempt to open the gate
e at Chicago; and why, pray, shout
welabor so har d to take the mote OF
of Chicago's eyes when, behold!
beam is in our own eyes? Do pee
: pie go up to the top to purify soc
ETY., or do they strike at some ev
y away off from home in order I
bring about a reformation? Nay
y verify! If good is to be accomplish
ed the work must be begun at home
enforce the laws on our own plants
n tons, at our own homes and in GU
own cities. We have heard it sal
that if we would take care of th
! dimes the dollars would take car
e of themselves. So il we will loo
!, well to society at u own homes
correct the evils at our own doors
we will make such a thing as tn
p opening of the Worlds Fair on Sur
. day an impossibility. But under e1
listing circumstances we have BIT
paved the way for Chicago to follow
and to keep pace with the custom
and times Chicago was almost force
to do as she has. We are no apo.
ogist for wrong doing but we believ
in giving the devil bis dues and W
have aperfect contemptfor that ma
who can find SO much fault wit
some one else 10 far away and ca
see none of the evils of his own house
e especially when he prays SO long
prayer to be seen Of men. We dc
spise a sham religion.
VI We think Mexico has taken
step in the right direction, only sh
has not yet gone far enough. Ho'
many evils have been covered u
under this, permission the Maste
: gave to take the ass or the OK out O
the ditch on the Sabbath? We vii
agree that there are a few cases G
necessity but the bitches are entirel
Il too thick and the asses too clumsy
and are falling in too often for goo
Example and an observance of tn
laws OF God and men. Let all tn
!. little cities drop into line and let SO
cietv he reached as If ia md whar