Smyrna times., 1906-06-20
"THE FOURTH COMMANDMENT" ="
RigOrists and DOgmatists Place Too Strict a
Construction Upon the Meaning of lhe Word

RigOrists and DOgmatists Place Too Strict a
Construction Upon the Meaning of lhe Word
To the Editor of the Times:-The
command given by Moses to the Jews
is as follows: as to the seventh day
SIN it thou shalt do nc manner of
work, thou, and thy son, and thy
daughter, thy man-servant, and thy
maid servant, thy cattle, and the
stranger that is within thy gates.
These words seem far-reaching, if
rigorous construction is insisted upon
as binding upon all people and all
ages. The word "work" means to la
Dor, to exert ones self for a purpose,
etc. A strict construction would seem
to inhibit Preachers from preaching,
organists from playing, singers from
singing, cooks from cooking, house
keepers from bed making, persons
from walking or riding, and so on.
But few hold, or ever have held to this
view. Our Lord when taken to task
yEpanfS$3oings on the Sabbath, indi-
Gated by his answer that larger view
must be taken of this Mosaic rule given
to the Jews. 1t may be noted that no.
where so far as known, throughout the
Universe, is there suspension of work
on any day. The suns rays warm, the
seas roll, the tides flow, the winds
blow, animals, trees, herbs, grains
and fruits grow, aud from this, it
would seem there must be a deeper
and broader construction of this rule
than the rigorists of any age have been
willing to give it, Our Lord, Himself,
clearly disagreed with the rigorists.
Some reasonable conclusion may to be
had, for our guidance, in the attitude
of the Christian Church throughout
the world. By far, the greater Hum-
Der of Christian people construe Sun
day to mean q Holy day, and also a
holiday, that is, day, first, for the
worship of God, then for social enjoy
ment and intercourse with others.
The Protestants have various views,
but incline to rigorous construction,
NTH whole lOt Of exceptions, but
they really have not reached bottom
in their conclusions, for, each age
among Protestants seem to view the
rule with greater freedom than the pre-
eeding. No universal rule on this
subject has ever appeared in the Chris
tian Church, and In the absence of this
defined rule, does it not seem rather
bumptious as we'll as presumptious
that certain individuals, or even GER
tain Christian bodies should expect
to be seriously considered when they
attempt to illuminate their over Jealous
personal opinions about what should,
or should not be done as to the modes
Of travelling on Sunday? Burke says,
you can't indict a Notion. Do these
purists propose to indict the Church
whom Christ Himself said He would
be with until the consummation OF
days?
1t would seem wise to consider the
attitude Of the a0hole church, and then
to study our Lords doings on this day
before we conclude that it is a viola
ton of Gods laws or even real Chris
tian sentiment to sail ship, stoke
steamer or run train on Sunday.
Who knows but that it may be one Of
Gods's means to spread His truth by
enabling people to mingle and know
each other better, and thus kindle
thankful heart for His benefcence?
1t is cutious that so many spiritual
teachers seem to prefer rlgorist views
as to what others should do. Not sine,
the world began, has rigorist teacher
spiritual or otherwise, ever exercised
any abiding influence oyer the live
and hearts of men. They seem, lik'
st. Peter, ever ready to draw th,
sword, and, who was told to put 1t up
and like Elijah, who thought he wa