The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1906-06-06
THE CHRISTIAN SABBATH.
A RICHMOND APPEAL TO ALL DENOMINA-
TIONS.

clericus, and prepared by DR.. Russell Cecil pastor
of the Second Presbyterian Church. at the request of
the General Committee
The address follows
Dear Brethren,-We the Christian ministers of
Richmond and vicinity, viewing with profound con-
Germ growing disposition the part of Christian
people to disregard the sanctity of the Lords Day.
or Christian Sabbath, and feeling in large measure
responsible for your spiritual welfare have, after
prayer and conference 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 a holy day. designed
for the glory of God and the benefit of man. 1t was
ordained in the beginning a of rest and
worship; it was incorporated by divine authority into
the moral law; and 1T honored by the Saviour,
who declared that g 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 it should be observed As the Lord of the
Sabbath, he had authority to change the day of the
week from the seventh to the first in order to com
memorate 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 designed as day of rest from
ordinary abors and pastimes, yet that there
tain works of necessity and mercy which it is not
only allowable, but also right for us to perform on
that day.
By works of necessity, to understand those
eXertions which necessary to supply physical
wants. and by works of mercy those that are neces-
sary to relieve physical suffering either in or
beast. From the Lord Jesus we also learn that the
day thus liberated from the pressing of secular
things is to be devoted to the worship of God He
also observed the day himself and in support of the
have the authority of the apostles who
consecrated the day 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 development of their
spiritual life The Lords Day is thus to be regarded
as holy day, and not holiday, and it would be
impossible to eXaggerate its value in the preservation
of " pure and undefled religion " in the earth.
We contending for the sanctity of the Lords
Day for Christian people Whatever it may be for
the goddess and unbeieving world, it should be for
the disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ season of
cessation from worldly employments and pleasures.
of devout meditation and of religious worship The
church must have time for doing its work in spirit
ua things, for preaching the gospel of peace to the
unsaved and for building up the saints in holiness
and comfort unto eternal life and if this day should
lose its sacred character the church would be Sc
riously embarrassed. IF Christian people permit
themselves to grow lax in its Observance and devote
the time to their affairs, whether of business
or pleasure the results to their characters and
TO the beneficial influence of the church in the world
will necessarily be disastrous.
We, therefore, appeal to you, brethren to set your
faces like flint against the desecTatOn of the 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 and papers, and various other forms
Of labor and amusements too numerous to mention
conspire to secularize this holyday The people are
kept from attendance upon the service of Gods house
the growth of their spiritual life is arrested or
destroyed unbeie is fostered and the power of the
church for good in the community is largely neu-
tralized You will observe that we are appealing
to Christians to members of our churches whom
we have reason to believe concerned about the
moral and spiritual welfare of the people If Chris
tians not faithful to their vows to God and the
church in this matter, it is useless to bereae the
world.