The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-05-31
MINISTERS URGE
KEEPING SABBATH
Address on Specification Of
Christians Day Of Rest Is
sued by Richmond.
SET THEIR FACES AGAINST IT
Christians Are Asked to Observe
Rigidly the Sabbath, Abstain
ing from All Anus cments.

An address Of the ministers Of the city
on snnctification Of the C44ristlan Sab
bath has been Issued 1t was suggeAted
by the Episcopal clericus and prepared
by DR.. Russell> Cecil, pastor Of the.
Second Presbyterian Church. at the re-
quest of the general committee.
The address follows:
Dear Brother.-We, the Christian min
listers Of Richmond and vicinity, viewing
with profound concern "a growing dis
position on tho part Of Christian people
to disregard the sunctlty OF the LORDS
Day, or Christian Sabbath. and feeling in
large measure responsible for your spirit,
ual welfare, have, after prayer and con-
ference, decided to address you in
spirit OF love upon this important matter.
The teaching Of the Christian Church
in all ages has been that the Lords
Day is O. holy day, designed for tho glory
of God and the benefit Of man. 1t was
ordained In the beginning as season
OF rest and worship: 1t was incorporated
by divine authority into the moral law
and It was aonored by the Saviour, who
declared that "the Son of Man was Lord
also of the Sabbath Day." 1t is from him
that the church, has learned Its true
Significance, and the way in which 1t
should be observed. -.s the Lord Of the
Sabbath" he had authority to change
the day OF the week from the seventh
to the FIRST in5order to commemorate
his own resurrection from the dead.
which, next to the creation OF the world.
was the most important event IN history.
From him we learn. that, although It
was designed as q day Of rest from
ordinary labors and pastmes yet that
there are certain works of necessity and
mercy which 1t is not only allowable,
but also right for US to perform on that
By works OF necessity, we are to under
stand those exertions which are necessary
to supply our physical wants; and BY
works OF mercy, those that are necessary
to relieve physical suffering either IN
man or beast. From the Lord Jesus
we also learn that the day thus liberated
from tho pressing cares OF secular things
is to be devoted to the worship OF COD.
He also observed the day himself, and m
support OF the same we have the author
ity OF the apostles, VINO consecrated the
day on which Jesus rose from The dead
to exercises OF religious worship. 1t Is
clear, then, that the prime OBJECT IN
the separation OF one day Of the week
from the others was that men, relieved
from secular pursuits, might have time
for the worship Of God and the develop
ment of their spiritual life. The Lords
Day Is thus to DO regarded as q holy
day, and not holiday, and 1t would DO
impossible to exaggerate Its value IN
the preservation OF "puro and unue"ied
religion" in the EARTH
Duty Of Christians.
We are contending for the sanctlty Of
tho Lords day for Christian people,
Whatever 1t may be for the goddess and
unbelieving world. 1t should be for the
disciples OF the Lord Jesus Christ
season Of cessation from worldly en-
poyments and pleasures, OF devout med
itation and OF religious worship. The
church must have time for doing its work
in spiritual things, for preaching the
gospel OF peace to the unsaved, ana FOR
building up the saints In holiness ana
comfort unto eternal life, and II this
day should lose It's sacred character the
church would be seriously embarrassed.
II Christian people permit themselves 70
grow lax III its observance and devote
tho time to their own affairs, whether OF
business or pleasure. the results 70 thelr
own characters and to the bencliclal m
nuenco OF the church In the World VIII
necessarily be disntrolls.
We therefore appeal to you, brethren,
to set your faces like flint against the
desecration Of tho Lords Day IN your
personal conduct and in your own homes.
The transaction of business. unnecessary
travel, riding and driving for pleasure
elaborate social entertainments. sunday
excursions, reading secular books ana
papers, and various other forms OF lahor
and anusements too numerous to men"
ton, conspIre to secularze this holy
day. The people are kept from atteht-
ance upon the service Of COOS mousse
the growth OF their spiritual IRE IS ar
rested or dest royed, unboief Is fostereel.
ana the power OF the Church for good
In the community is largely neutralized'
You Will observe that we are appealing
to Christians, to members Of our churches
whom we have reason to believe are con-
cerned about the moral ana SPIRITUAL
welfare of the people, If Christians arc
not faithful to their VOWS to COO anf
the Church In this matter, 1t IS useless
to berate the world,
II members OF our churches have be-
come bereft of their loyalty to duty,
where is the wisdom Of decla'mlns
against the civil authorities who permit
the volators" OF Sunday laws to 50 I'M
punished; against individuals and cor
poratIons who prosecute their own pusi-
mess In open defiance OF God and man
and against thoughtless seekers after
amusement, who are "loyers OF pleas
ure more than lovers OF God r we ap'
peal to you who love the Lord Jesus
Christ and His Church, who bear upoi
your hearts the interests Of truth ahi
Righteousness, and who believe that tTere
are better things for men even III lhlt
world than the mere accumulation OF
wealth and the pursuit OF pleasure. Wf
appeal to you to remember the sappatf