The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1905-06-11
GOSPEL OF JUNE

Some people of Astoria miSconStrue,
the intent and meaning of articles pub
lished some time ago relative to Sunda,
observance. The selfish business ma,
was impued with the idea that it wa.
taking away from him his right To max,
living, particularly was this true o.
the saloon men, but this was not the mo
tive that aetuated the production of tn,
editorials on the question of Sunday oh
servance. Everything. it is said. is Great
ed for the good of mankind. Experiene,
IN the ages of the long ago demonstrated
that man needed one day of rest. and IL
was decreed by Moses that Sunday
should be set apart as a day of rest. Ii
did not necessarily imply that people
should attend divine worship in the var.
ious churches. Man may worship God in
natures fields, by babbling brooks, on the
veivetly green mountain side. but il is
essential to human happiness that at
least one day In the week be devoted to
family and relief from business cares and
turmoils.
fundamentally, there is but one gospel.
the proclamation of the fact that love
and goodwill are at the heart OF the uni.
verse. But that gospel has many inter.
prefers, Its highest expression is in
human ilfe, for; as the poet Whittier has
SO well said
"The dear Lords best interpreters
Are humble human souls,
The gospel like life like theirs ~
Ia more than books and scrolls.n
And there was one life centuries ago in
the world which by common consent bod
ed forth most perfectly this gospel of
love and good will. And Of that perfect
expression there were several interpre.
tiers. Mathew put upon it a coloring of
hi. own, and 50 did Mark and Luke and
JOHN
But there are other renderings OF the
gospel, too, apart from books and apart
from lives, and as the glory of June days
come upon us, as the sky is like sapphire
over heads, as the long golden summer
days possess the earth and bird and
flower and shrub and tree make their
special contributions to the one enchant-
ing impression we are worse than the
lower animals if We, too, do not feel a
thrill of hope such as comes only with
June.
June's gospel is one of life. The bud
ding, blossoming world about us makes
death, and decay seems out of place in
this universe. When a branch is alive to
its very tips, when the meadows are car
peted with living green, when the birds
stretch their little threats to pour forth
their melody, we know that the end of
all being is life and not death. This is
what man was made for not for winter.
not for the grave. And June's gospel is
one of beauty, transient, it is true, but
almost supernal while it lasts, with its
constant appeal to the eye through the
blending of harmonious colors The busi-
ness man of Astoria who will deny him.
self all of these pleasures, either posses
ses selfish instincts, or a love of gain in
this worlds goods, which makes him in
sensible to the beauties of nature.
If there is county on the coast that
Is more resplendent with natures bount-
eous offerings than Clatsop, it must in
deed be veritable garden of eden. Even
a stroll to the top of the hills surround.
ing the city presents panoramic view
of nature unsurpassed for beauty and
grandeur. The man that will not take
his wife and children out t&A -e-
fields, beside the cool mountain streams
a stroll through the vine clad hills and
dales, is missing some of the grandest
opportunities and golden moments of his
life. The old bishop in Victor Hugo's i'm
mortal story. Les Miserables," when re-
monstrated with for taking so much in.
terest in his beautiful garden, replied.
THE beautiful is also useful" And that
lesson we too, need to leard, that all the
rich golden beauty of this finest month
of the year is meant to serve the life of
man.
What wonder then that June should be