The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1902-03-27
Lords Day Week, April 6-l3, 1902

To THE PASTORS OF COLUMBIA Co.
Science more and more points man
to God. 1t accumulatss proof that
"Rest one day in seven or suffer" is
natures law, written by God all
through the material, mental, social
and spiritual realms. History says
Mans Holy Rest Day is chief
foundation of individual and national
liberty and prosperity, as well ss OF
Christian life. Those ancient states
men, jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Nehe-
miah, declared its desecraton to be
the chief cause of national ruin. 1t
is "a holy pause that God may have
time by his own touch to repair the
waste and mischief wrought during
six days, and exat toward his own
ideal"
Yet the tendency to debase this
Holy Day into a holiday has acquire ed
terrible momentum and the saloon
powers imperiously demand its sur
render to their greed. But there lsno
more reason for deciding by local
option whether we. surrender the Sab
bath to the saloon than for so decld-
ing whether we surrender marriage.
the other Edenic institution, to poly
gamy.
II this day for mans publication
and exaltatlon is debssed into a holi-
day and saloon day, our nation must
soon descend from its pinnacle OF
glory and opportunity, such as no ma
tion has before achieved, to degrada-
ton and ruin.
Is it not time that all lovers oi
Christ and humanity unite in vigorous,
organized effort to avert this ruin
God is able and eager to help; but
| only in answer to united, earnest
prayer and selfdenying activity. Sew
eral recent events greatly encourage
such prayer and activity. notably the
conditioning of the nations gift to the
st. Louis Exposition on a contract to
close it every Sabbath, the stopping Of
Sunday excursions in several cities,
especially in Michigan, Wisconsin.
Iowa, Georgia and Nebraska, and in
| Canada, and the successful demands
of some labor forces are very gener-
ally cooperating with the Lords Day
Alliance IN opposition alike to the
work day and the holiday Sundays.
We, the un iersigned, therefore remind
all lovers of Christ ofthe twenty fourth
annual LOrdS Day Week, April 6 I3,
and urge them to devote as much of
1t as practicable TO prayer that God
will arouse the whole church to zeal in
educating all citizens by persistent use
of the voice and press to understand
its true nature and worth, and In
securing such Sabbath sentiment as
shall make keeping it holy JOY, and
impel officers to enforce Sunday laws.
We especially urge every one TO en-
force such prayer and effort by ex-
ample, having no fellowship with Sun.
day papers, trains, trade, or sports,
and filling the day with joyful worship
OF God and service of humanity.
We request each pastor to preach
on this subject during this week, and
each church, young peoples society,
and w. c. T. U. to devote at least
one meeting to its prayerful considera-
tion, seeking three definite results. rst,
A Higher Standard of Sabbath Keep
ing among Christians, end, Release of
as many as Possible from Sunday toll;
3rd, Preventing Sunday Amusements,
Especially Sunday Excursions and
Games.
We urge that leaflets in reference
to the Sabbath be distributed during
that week in every home, and as far
as possible arrangements be made for
such distribution bi monthly there
after.
Rev. J. B. Dawson, Milwaukee,
Wis, Field Sec'y, Wisconsin Sunday
Rest Day Assn.
Rev. ]. G.. Shearer, Toronto, Can
ada, Field Sec'y. Lords Day Alliance
of Canada.
Rev. w. F. Crafts, Ph. ID. Wash
lngton, d. c., Supt National Reform
| Bureau.
I. w. Hathaway, d. d., New York,
N. Y, Sec'y. American Sabbath
Union.
T. T. Mutchler, ID. d., Philadel-
phia, Pa, Secy., Philadelphia Sabbath
| Assn.
Edward Thomson, d. d., LII. d.
Atlanta, Ga, Sec'y. Sunday League
| of America.
M. d. Kneeland, d. d., Boston,
Mass, Sec'y. New England Sabbath
Protective Association.
Mrs. Mary E. James, Brooklyn, N.
| Y, Pres. Woman's National Sabbath