The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1899-07-21

or opportunity. But il any one is spec
tally interested in guarding the religious
sanctions OF the day it is the working
man. Turn the day into an occasion oil
recreation and amusement and soon il
will become. as in parts OF Germany, a
day OF secular labor. According to re-
| fifty.seven per cent of the factories and
seventy-seven per cent OF the institutions
OF trade and transportation are being
operated on Sunday. Men now work
too many hours in the week and every
factory ought to be closed at noon on
Saturday, and every business house
ought to have a half holiday so that
men may not be tempted to desecrate
the day which God has sanctifed. The
Sabbath was designed for worship, for
moral and religious culture and only he
who has debasing views OF the nature OF
man will deny the necessity therefor
We are fast becoming a nation of dol
lar devotees and nothingis being regard
ed as sacred by those who see chance
to make money. The great railroads
that are demoralizing the nation by
Sunday excursions and the trolley roads
that are melting to lawlessness by Sun
day games and entertainments are not
operating in the interest of the people
but are doing it solely for gain. and who
ever does that is the enemy OF the people
and ia unpatriotic in spirit. The history
and progress OF this nation has been diff
ferent than that of Mexico simply be-
cause the Pdritans laid the foundations
OF the one and somebody else those OF
the other Whenever feel wicked it is
when some mercenary INDUCES in
sneer at the Puritans. 1t is time for
true men to speak in defense OF the Sab
bath and not by compromises with evil
and unwarranted concessions to evil
doors strengthen the hands OF the law
less.
Rev 4. o. Cooper
st. Mark 2-27-2S.-"And He said unto
them, The Sabbath was made for man,
and not man for the abbath-Therefor
the Son of Man is Lord also OF the Sab
bath"
The purpose of the ancient Sabbath
was the well being OF man. Its chief
feature was the cessation of all unneces-
sary labor, together with study of Di-
vine commands.
In addition it was day of cheerful
ness and happy rest from the turmoil OF
the worlds business-ofqui and peace
full return into ones self-of joyous COM
munion with friends and kindred. 1t
was day of spiritual uplifting, and Of
such bodily relaxation as strengthens,
braces, pacifies and maketh the heart
glad.
The 18th verse of the So chapter of
Isaiah has often been misunderstood
and misinterpreted. 1t is in reality a
warning against doing our own pleasure
by following our own business affairs on
the Sabbath day,-an encouragement to
make the day delight by casting off
worldly care.
The Christian church has from the be-
ginning observed the first day OF the
week as "The Lords Day." The scrip.
lures and concurrent testimonies show
this and the reasons for it. And surely
if the ancient Sabbath was made for
man, the same holds good regarding the
day observed as holy under Christ's own
dispensation of love.
1t is true that we frequently have cause
for alarm at the tendency to make Sun
day day OF amusement only. Let the
church and the individual vigorously OPP
pose this. Everything degrading should
be put down by influence and by law if
necessary. Ii we have laws they should
be upheld and respected.
In our efforts to improve the present
conditions, however, let us see that we
are just and rational.
What is one of the chief causes of the
present laxity regarding the Sabbath?
1t is reaction from puritanical times
and teaching. 1t is the pendulum swing
ing to the other extreme.
There are doubtless many elderly peo-
pie today who can recall the days, some
years ago, when the rigid and frigid
rules OF Sunday observance caused them
to entertain secret wish that instead
of the Puritans landing on Plymouth
Rock that Plymouth Rock had landed
on the Puritans.
Again our commercial and business
habits form another cause OF a holiday
Sunday. 1t is only very occasionally
that week day can be enjoyed for rec.
reation by the countless thousands who
are not their own masters and, are
forced to toll from Monday morning till
Saturday night. By our grasping nat
ures and selfish customs we are driving
people into dissertation of the Sunday.