Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1902-08-06

A bath was made for
~ man, and not man
1S for the Sabbath
I'm This sentiment wa
I5>0ES enunciated almost
| 200 years ago by
the highest religious authority. How
little effect Il has on the view Of some
sectarian minds is illustrated by the
fact that the opening Of the st. Louis
worlds fair on Sunday has prac-
tically been prevented through pres
SURF brought to bear on congress.
Sunday is the only day on which
large classes OF people can attend an
exhibition of that kind. It Is admit
tedly desirable and beneficial that
they should attend. But the denial Of
the only chance they would have to
do so was strenously insisted on for no
particular reason except that the
opening Of the gates on Sunday Is OPP
posed to certain ideas Of religious
duty.
Broader views regarding the obser-
vance of the first day of the week
r becoming more widely prevalent,
however, than such incidents would
indicate. Discussion of the subject in
the religious press shows that q
marked change in the ideas Of promi-
nent leaders and high authorities is
taking place. The London Guardian
recently contained an interesting edi-
torial in which liberal opinions were
expressed, conceding that the "old
theory" based IN Puritan practice,
has become imperative, and called
for "a careful investigation and an au-
thoritative statement of the Christian
principles on which the observance
Of the Lords day ought to rest" The
Congregationalist, In an article which
Is somewhat surprising for the ad-
vanced views expressed, declared in
favor Of "such use of public Libraries,
picture galleries and museums as we
make Of our own libraries and art
treasures on Sunday" 1t even advo-
Gated open parks on Sunday, adding
however: "To provide what the peo-
pie need for a Useful Sabbath, especi-
ally in crowded cities, requires that
many should labor. 1t Is our duty to
see that such labor is limited to SER
vice In providing a helpful Sabbath
to others, and that those who thus
work shall have compensation In
rest" The Boston Pilot, a Roman
Catholic periodical approves the Con-
gregationalist's sentiments.
When the church generally gets
abreast Of these common n views
a long step will have been taken In
the right direction. Nothing could be
more undesirable than that the Sab
bath should be abolished, or become
absolete. 1t is one Of the most val
liable institutions of Christian coun-
tries, from both a religious and a
practical view point. But some very
narrow opinions have long been held
in regard to it. 1t was established as
a blessing to mankind. The old blue
laws made it a WEAKNESS and a curse.
Much of the disrespect which people
of the present generation feel and ex-
press for 1t 10 due to reaction from the
straight-laced manner in which they
were compelled to observe it when
children.
The old fashioned Sabbath, which
some good people wish they could
recall, is gone forever. Nor Is it des-
from any point Of view, that
1t should be brought back. It's rest
was too often more unsalutary and
irksome than hard labor; its piety too
often pious fraud. Sunday should
be made truly a day of recreation, in
the best sense of the word-reereatiOn
for mind rs well as for body, for the
social nature as we'll as for the soul.
The day may be prohtably spent 10
reading driving, nature study, social
Intercourse or any other restful en-
Dloyment that tends to keep a sane,
healthy mind in q healthy vigorous
body. With these things as accesso-
res, the act Of worship itself will be
rendered more pleasant, wholesome
Ind morally stimulating. All further
attempts to keep sensible people In
straight Jackets on q day which was
Iet apart in the divine economy for
he highist, noblest and most benef1-
nal purpose will probably be unsuc-
and the church may save itself
he humiliation of failure and perform
meritorious service by ceasing its
to bring back the "goOd old 4
of interminable sermons and I
old Sunday dinners, and exsrting It. J
elf to induce the people to expend in ;
harmless and innocent ways, energies 4
Which they seem determined to exer- !
Use on Sunday, and which, il not Civ :
n a right direction, may turn the day 4
nto one of dissipation and crime in
tead Of one of rest and improvement. :