Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-03-26

its pseudo-gospel of seIishness, appeals tt
those sinful cravings which are implanted
in every human breast, without this charge
of interference; for one day in the week
the church, with it's true gospel OF divine
love and unselfshness. would appeal to
those divine instincts, which are implanted
in every human breast, IN the hope that out
of the very midst of the crowd of careless,
irresponsible men and women, who have
been fascinated and deceived by false
gospel of life, there will arise some who
hear the voice of God.
Another objection which will, of course,
be made, is that Christians in defending the
Lords day, are treating mere outward
observance and form, as though 1t were an
inward principle or a moral issue or pf1-
mary Importance.
I'VE would say in reply, that this is an
academic and doctrinaire way of looking at
the subject; it is not practical. The spirit
of worldliness is forcing praeucal issue
tunity, and the chief opportunity we have,
of inspiring the community with Christian
ideas and principles, that men are prone to
forget.
Change in Civilization.
pause moment and think what a
change will come over American civiliza-
ton if at the end of the twentieth century,
the observance of the Lords day will be so
completely abolished that 1t will be as hard
to gather a congregation together on Sun
Friday.
Another objection still will be that there
is no divine authority for Sunday observ-
ance. and that it is only a custom.
Strongly as many of us-and l for one
would combat such view, in times like
these. it would be wiser to waive this point;
avoid the endless discussion it would in
voIve, and fearlessly meet the DIRECTORS on
their own ground. Even if Sunday observ-
ance be only a custom, it is a custom which
began in the appearance of the risen Christ
to His followers on Easter and the hrst
Sunday after Easter and In the descent OF
the Holy Ghost at Pentecost. Inc opserV-
ance is mentioned in the Acts of the Apos-
Ties and it is referred to by st. Paul, as a
practice of European church In Greece
twenty-five years after the resurrection. IL
was made universal throughout the Roman
enntre by the decree of the Emperor Con-
stantine in the beginning OF the fourth CEN
tury. Since that day it has become his
toric custom. which has been universally
observed, .Semper Unique alb omnibus 1t is
one of those bonds of union which draw to-
gether the Greek Church, the Roman
Church, the Anglican communion, the
Asiatic denominations of the east and all
the Protestant denominations of Europe
and America 1t is a custom imbedded In
the literature, the poetry, the hymns or the
Christian era; in the devotional life OF all
Christian peoples and in the sacred histor-
ical memories of every Christian body
whatever it be.
Last. but not least this custom is prac-
tically the only rallying point around
which our Christian bodies of Washington
may gather. as with one heart and one one.
mind, in safeguarding the Chrlsuan ne
and the traditions of the city of Washing
ton against tie Entertainments which are
being made upon them.
.'All that is now needed among US Is some
manner of united action for the defense OF
the Lords day.
"And this need, my brethren, is so impor-
tant that commend the subject to you for
thought and prayer.