The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1904-12-11
DUTY TO OURSELVES,


The position taken by the Astorian
relative to Sunday observance has been
highly commended. both by the people
OF Astoria and by the press of the
state. The disregard for Sunday OBJ
servance is not because people do not
believe In 1t, but because custom tole-
rates a non-conformity with the laws
and customs. upon which the observ-
ance was founded. The general disre-
gard and missappropriation OF Sunday
in Astoria brings before us the ques-
tion whether or not the observance of
Sunday is necessary, The Sabbath is
an institution interviewer in our laws
and customs. Is its maintainence neces-
sary, or is ii an institution whose chief
Importance and value lies in tradition +?
Could our nation set 1t aside and fare
as we'll without II
Sunday observance means to the in
stitutors of Sunday laws day devoted
to quiet rest. free from business tur-
moil. set apart for moral culture, and
for those who desire IL, divine worship
A large number OF the residents of AS
toria never attend churches. Spiritual
welfare is secondary condition to
financial welfare. Pleasure is para
mount to religious observance Selfish
ness actuates the majority Of men. A
recognized vital connection OF Sunday
observance without physical, financial
and moral conditions justifies us, as
we believe in saying, Sunday observ-
ance is necessary to national welfare.
In making this declaration we are
mindful of the arguments used by OPP
ponents, in that Sunday is not different
from any other day, and, therefore,
need not be observed as such. The ar
dent supporters of this view regard Sum-
day observance as optional. and the
Sabbath human in its origin. Sup
porters of our contention look upon the
Sabbath as divine in its origin and
benificent In its purpose. According to
scriptural records the Sabbath was ap-
pointed by God at the close Of creation
and was later made part of the law
from Sinai TIE Survival of this insti-
tuition through ages of time and many
changes Is an indication of It's divine
origin. ~
But granting that the views of the
Astorian of its divine authority is er
~onao,,o mo 0tiu maintain tnof n Ia
of inestimable value as political In
stitution and to dispense with 1t would
be to sacrifice the best interests of our
nation. 1t is a well known principal of
economics that national welfare is
promoted by improvement of the labor
er's condition Nothing working to-
ward the betterrnent of this class, is
more important than one day of rest
in seven. Take this day from them and
make it like the six days of the week, |
day of work and worry and strife |
for daily bread, and what would be the |
effect upon our already over -burdened |
people?
National observance of Sunday is |
necessary to preserve the sancity of the |
home, for If business and professional
life claimed attention seven days in
stead of six, the home would be ne
elected. In many homes the members
have great diversities of interests, tnat
is, no two members Of the same home |
may be engaged In the same work The
members of such homes would become
lowed apart from the busy world to
cultivate home intercourse and inter-
ests. Again, man is under moral OBJ
legations to keep the Sabbath, because of
its proven benefits to his body and
mind. Psychologists agree that the
body is like a machine and lasts many
more years If given rest. The purpose
of the Sabbath being benefcient, binds
us morally to respect and appropriate
it.
The effects of Sabbath observance
are significant. By supplying rest to
body and mind 1t sustains and cheers
humanity. BY forbidding acts in pur-
suit of pleasure and gain, it prevents
selfishness. BY enjoining man to acts
of worship,it keeps in mind knowledge
Of God, without which man is sure to
sink in moral degradation. Generally
speaking, all effects of the observance
OF Sunday tends toward the moral per-
fection of man, and this is strong indi-
cation that sacred history is true cona Il
cerning the purpose and origin Of the {
sabbath. To discuss the moral as u