The Greenville times. [volume] (Greenville, Miss.) 1868-1917, 1903-06-13

! itself 10 a revelation Of life and immor-
tality. 1t is flag Of truce to hostile
world, and flag of truce is always sa-
cred. The day speaks eloquently Of
the resurrection from the dead; and a
Messiah's conquest OF sin and death.
1t breaches glad-tidings Of an offered
interest In The postmortem life Of the
risen one.
And should not the disciples OF
Christ teach their children to hold
this day in honor? He does not require
us to make = recluse of child; to for
bid it all amusement on the Lord s.
day; but 1t is due tho Lord Himself
that we inculcste upon children the
meaning, and sanctity, and blessed
ness Of the day-and TO this end re-
strain them from all boisterous crowds
and games. And SO 1 am sure that
baseball indulgence by boys on Sunday
is conducive to disregardful, yes, dis
respectful habits of mind and heart
for holy things. When they are old
they will not depart from their early
training.
Its observance then is a morol obi
cation. As much so as the laws for
bidding theft, both human and divine.
Its Dissertation is violation not only
Of the fourth but also to the third COM
mandment, which requires 1.-THE holy
and reverent use of Gods names, titles
attributes. ordinances, word and
works " Its dissertation strikes the
mask from the face of many who pray
with apparent unction-hallowed be
thy name.
There are those. of course Who do
not recognize Jesus as the Messiah.
There are AlsO those too who, while
not denying his Messiahship, are not
willing that this man should reign
over them. But am speaking mainly
70 Christians who are presumed to
honor him as the Christ.
A purpose was avowed to test the
matter Of Sunday baseball. The
Christian cannot submit the validity Of
= divine moral institute to a show Of
hands. The divine will cannot be neg
atlved or vetoed by public opinion. It
is Prescriptions arrogance for the
pigmy man to subject law of the
Supreme God to the test Of human ap
proval; to cite God to appear for trial
before a human tribunal. The blue
laws of Connecticut and the equally
absurd laws of colonial Virginia as
well, are not to be put In the same
category with the divine will which lie
the embodiment of divine wisdom
promulgated for human welfare.
The Christian cannot put con-
tempt upon that which God honors;
cannot spit upon that which is a
proclamation of grace, white flag of
peace; he cannot rejoice with them
who drag it In the mire. Hallowed
be thy name. You erect monument
to the Confederate dead. Some foe
who cannot appreciate the herOism Of
those who fought against him. filings
carrion upon it. Yon feel outraged. It
is enough to be so aggrieved; but the
grievance is aggravated if your re-
sentiment be scoffed as narrowness and
provincial bigotry.
But it is asked, why attack this,
when 50 many things, not In them
selves innocent but intrinsioally i'm.
moral, are permitted to go unwhipped
Of Justice? In reply It'll sufficient to
ask: II q thief steals your watch, M .
you permit the theft Of your purse be
causeyou have not yet recovered the
watch?
1t is objected that it is impossible
to legislate people into morals or re-
ligion. That argument requires the
sFasure from our laws Of all legislation |
snent theft aud murder, adultery and
perjury. State legislation makes 90 !
attempt to make people MORAL, nor ",
49, ~