Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1894-04-23
.THE SUNDAY QUESTION:, .

An Able Sermon by Rev. Charles
ConklIn sunday Morning In tho
Church OF the Messiah.
An interesting and edifying sermon was
preached Sunday morning in the Church
Of the Messiah by Rev. Charles Conklin, the
pastor, who took for his subject "The
Sunday Question" The text was based on
the words found In the eigth verse OF the
twentieth chapter of Exodus, Remember
the Sabbath day and keep it holy" Fol-
lowing are few of the thoughts embod-
led in the discourse: e.,
One day in seven for bodily rest. One
day in seven for mental and spiritual re-
pair. One day in seven to remind US that
We are not mere animals to be contented
with the struggle for phyaical existence.
It has been well said by . noted writer
that "He who ordained the Sabbath loved
the poor" LonRfellow, in appropriate
verse, SINCE Of this blessed day. The Sab
bath has come down to us from the long
past. It's origin cannot be traced. 80 far
as We know, Its origin under God was He
braic. In the Jewish account we read:
God ended His work on the seventh day
and rested" He blessed and sanetifisd It.
To the patriarchs, however, all days were
alike.
In the Mosaic time came the injunction
to set one day apart, and we read In the
Decslogue :"Remember the Sabbath day to
keep 1t holy" This ordinance was bind
ing through all the long centuries, and we
are indebted to day to that race for ita
perpetuation.
The purpose of the Sabbath was purely
human. In and of itself it had no spirit.
ual Significance. It was ordained for the
physical benefit of mana day in which
to build up waste tissues; q breathing day
day of personal freedom in which he
might drink deeply the draught Of life
The day in the east began in the evening
The day that followed was made sweet fol
bodily refreshment. :
1t was not a gloomy day. The laughte,
of children was heard, and 1t was altogeth
or the brightest and best day of the week
In the course of time religion was wover
stern Calvanism, but religion of joyfu
song and uplifting prayer and aspiration
This did not harm it, but added much II
the enjoyment of the day. But something
did. Some people believe that religion
must be bitter. Such people are neve
happy unless they can b unhappy. The.
are like the Brahmin, who will look at tn
sun until his eyes are burned out and VII,
believes he is very religious and holy. Al
religions have furnished fanatics who's
zeal leads them captive.
The Jews, In their zeal, thought the Al
| mighty had made mistake In not placin
restrictions on that day, and soon rule
and restrictions were made to govern 1t
observance. No fire could be kindled, n
soap used, no letter could be opened, n
where. And it was like caging free an
beautiful bird and expecting 1t to sing tn
same old song. God never intended HI
subjects to be such abject slaves
Moses never dreamed of such
pervsrsion of it. "The Sabbath Wa
made for man." In His might
strength Jesus walked in the old tin
way and of course encountered hostilit,
He believed in the elevation of huma
need above human creed, and when 81
hungry disciples plucked the golden cor
that grew in the sunlight and wei
bounced upon by the s'pharisaical religion
lists" TO: the 'desecration of the Sabbath
Jesus in His matohless purity snd, streng,
exposed their narrowness and hypocris
The Sabbath, changed to the frstor Lord
day, will continue to be blessed to tho
who properly observe it. Let us all ID
aside the cares of life and with gratef
hearts and pure purposes make it indeed
holy day. And by repairing to the chure
set apart for worship drink in the spiritu
food. And should We in the coming plea
, ant Sunday afternoons walk out into Il
fields and see the unmistsksble svidenc
of fathers care and fathers love let
gaze with reverence aud lift our hearts
thankfulness and alteration to Him who
hsndiwork is seen throughout his Him
able domain. In this way We will sure
keep the day holy, and to our hearts "
| come refreshment and our lives will
come sweeter and purer, and the day be
deed "Dsy of all the week the best" B.