The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1902-05-15

curtaiment of the present hours of
labor
So fan ] have viewed the question on
the side of the rights of mankind. But
there is another side on which much
might be written | have spoken of
the Lords Day rest as a God-given
right. If / am justified in so calling it,
it is because the seventh-day rest haV-
ing been instituted by God, not by man,
it follows that whilst on the one hand
the Fourth Commandment gives to
capital a Divine sanction for the em-
ployment of labour it gives no such
sanction for its employment on the
seventh but on the contrary, is the
laborer's charter of rest from toll on
the seventh day. This being so, it
should need no argument to satisfy all
who believe in Gods moral government
of the world, that system which in
fringes human rights that rest on a
Divine sanction cannot but be displeas-
ing to Him in whom we live and move
and have our being. one purpose for
which he has given us the Sacred
Scriptures is in order that we may see
in His dealings with the chosen race
how nations and individuals enjoy
prosperity or suffer adversely, accord
ing as they are obedient or disObedient
to His laws. The seventy years cap
t.vity of the Jews may be traced
among other causes to their neglect of
the Sabbatical institution in their anx-
iety to make money. Nothing in this
world happens by chance, and in the
fires that last year threatened the
plantations of Hamakua, and destroy
ed miles of forest one must be blind
who does not read warning that
wealth obtained by means dispeasinG
to the Ruler of the universe may be
scattered in a moment.
On the ground of the duty every man
owes to God, and no less of respect of
the rights of man resting on Divine
sanction, l plead with you to conduct
your mills on a system agreeable t.
religion and the rights of humanity.
Let me conclude with the following
remarkable passage which sums up the
advantage of a due regard of the sac
red day of rest
The day of holy rest to a land bear
ing the Christian name, and to a re-
public based on equal rights, has the
| highest civil worth. Man needs it phys
ically, as a season when labor may
wipe off it's CRIME and breathe more
freely after the weeks exhaustion, and
when care shall slacken it's hold upon
the frame and the heart. Man needs it
morally, to rise by it's aid out of en-
t. the remembrance of his spiritual in
! terests, his final account and his eter-
nal destiny. Toll needs it, to rescue its
share of rest and it's season of devotion
from the absorbing despotism of capt.
tai; and Capital needs it to shield its
own accumulations from the reckless
ness and anarchy of an imbruted and
desperate proletariat, and to keep its
own humanity and ConscientiOusness
alive. The State needs it as a safe
| guard of public order, quiet and virtue;
! human laws becoming. however wise in
| form, effete in practice, except as they
! are based on conscience, and upon the
| sanction of eternity as recognized vo-
/ UNFAIRLY by an intelligent people, and
/ Gods day cultivating the one and re-
minding us of the other. William,
/ DID.
l am, dear sirs, yours very faithfully,
VI ALFRED WILLIS.
l P.S.-Since the above was written, a
sugar boiler on the Island of Oahu,
DESTROYS to receive the rite of Confirm
: alton, was invited to be in the Cathe-
} dral for that purpose on Palm unday.
He replied that he was unable to do so,
; having to work every Sunday during
the grinding season.