The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-06-23

tuition unto the world? In the study of the
heavens. when a new star comes within the
focal point OF the telescope, then the ques-
lions flock and clamor for the earliest an
swer. What is its orbit. what is its dignity
as a planet. in short, what is it to the sys-
tenn in which ii revolves? Or when
traversing wide oceans a lone ship comes
within hailing distance of another they &C
cost each other and exchange intelligence
as to cargo, bearings; port. and. if dark.
under what flag each sails. Each thus
learns not only the intrinsic value OF what
the other has in charge, but the country
she represents.
80 if we may interest ourselves in the
appearance of a new star or in a vessel
nearing us on the sea, much more should
we interest ourselves in this noble institu-
tlOn-the Christian Sabbath-a gallant snip
on the sea of time, her point of starting,
the beneicience of God, her course of sail
ing, benedictions to humanity and her port
of landing. the judgment day with a record
OF blessings dispensed and the treatment
she has received. In starting that wonder
full pair. our first parents, to lead the long
train of generations that should follow,
God told them what they should eat TO re-
cuperate the constantly wasting energies
OF the body, and that He should appoint
unto them a rest day is no more arbitrary
than for the author of an eight-day clock
10 provide that after il has announced its
measurement Of the hours of day and night
Tor one whole week that its strength or
working relations should be renewed by its
being rewound for another weeks service.
The Christian Sabbath is not only the
BOic d u AD6IlN % liz ldDOI WOIlO, u
ii is also the truest boon TO the human in
tellect amid it's days of thought for the
solution Of lifes problems-the occasion of
the association of the best and purest
minds of earth in contemplation of the
most ennobling themes. 1t is the Pisgah
observatory of religious hope and antici-
patton. Unique in its multiform relations
TO man. it admits of no human substitute,
but stands as both monitor and beacon-a
memorial of Sinai and Calvary, and the
monument of a Providence all-wise and
mnni6cpnt untO the family of earth
But withal this is a holly contested
field Of pri~vilege-Sunday excursions have
been multiplying in our own State, as also
in some others. New York and Massachu-
sets Legislatures are each year flooded
with bills for the purpose of obliterating
the Sabbath and introducing the CONT
mental Sunday with its wide-open saloons.
But in the past year there have been many
notable victories. The a~nti-Sunday bills
were all defeated in Boston. the midway at
the Pan-American was closed, all machin-
cry stopped and all Sunday excursions kept
out. Careful foresight and organized effort
secured the law of Congress that no appro-
~priation Of the Nation should be made to
the Louisiana Purchase Exposition, TO be
held at st. Louis two years hence, until a
! contract is signed to keep it closed on Sun
days. France and Germany are awakening
TO realize how much they have lost in in
dulging the carousals of the continental
Sunday. Even in Belgium. where all days
have been very much alike, out of
1904 freight trains, 1927 now have entire
rest on Sunday. Humanity is clamoring for
Its rights.
In La Crosse, Wis, the pastors petit
toned urgently against Sunday excursions
being run into their city on Sunday over
the Burlington Railway. But they were in
formed by that road that the business men
of that city had called for the excursion.
and on the names being taken 1t was found
that the business men were all saloon keep
ers. The Commercial Club of Omaha, Neb.,
asked the Burlington road for a Sunday ex-
cursion. But protests coming from churches
and the Central Labor Union, the @ road
replied: The best thought of the best peo-
pie is against Sunday excursions, and so
are we. We are Sabbatarians and believe
in the maintenance of the Sabbath as a
day of rest instead of rollicking hip-hurray.
Many other things have been done and
many more demand faithful action. But
the members of the Christian Endeavor in
Michigan so petitioned the officers of the
Pere Marquette Railway against Sunday
excursions that they were suspended. The
Christian Endeavorers of Indiana have
great opportunities of usefulness in this re-
gard. In concluding l wish to make this
appeal to the Christian citizenship of In
dianapolis and the Christian Endeavorers
of Indiana to make organized effort against
the encroachment of Sabbath desecra-
ton"