The Fargo forum and daily republican., 1907-05-25
RELIGIOUS NEWS NOTES

| Another sign that America may fol-
llow the lead of France and England
in an increased attention to Sunday
observance is given in the movement
lin Virginia for a decrease Of Sunday
railroad excursions. At a conference
between number of railroads of that
state and an interdenominational
lchurch commission, agreement was
| reached for the discontinuance of Sum
day excursion trains in the future.
Legislation on these lines is expected,
and seems desired both by the rail-
lroad managements and the church
people. 1t is planned to stop cheap
Irates on Sunday and to give the state
corporation commission authority to
determine what trains should be run
in the public interest There is indeed
an increasingly strong motive upon
the railroads to do away with extra
Sunday passenger traffic. This brings
an extra strain and one altogether un-
necessary upon their employees, and
tends to the Generalization of the
service. No one indeed sees at pres
ent a way to decrease freight trans
portation materially on Sunday, nor
the running of through trains. But
the attempt to make special Sunday
business costs in the end more than
it comes to- 1t is likely that the ex-
ample of Virginia may be followed by
other states.
1t is evident, from the recent history
| of Sunday observance in France, that
great physical, economic and social
forces are arrayed upon the side of
the Sabbath. A period of rest for
one day in seven seems required by
the human constitution, and the man
who gets his needed rest by requiring
other mems Sunday labor finds that
the hardship which he inflicts upon
others returns upon his own head He
becomes himself one of those who are
caught in the same incessant grind
which he has exacted from others. He
| has helped to create system of un-
relieved toll, an atmosphere of rest
lessness which shortens his own life
and robs him of real recreation
The Improvement of Sabbath OBJ
servance is proceeding upon social
rather than religious principles. But
| it may not be long before religious
considerations in this matter may gain
a new emphasis. The world Is learn
| ing that the best refreshment of the
mind, and that the most thorough
body comes by the refreshment of the
Irefreshment of the mind is by religi-
Gus influences, which give a peace and
buoyancy elsewhere sought in vain,
and relieve toiling humanity Of the
strain of its work as nothing else can.
For fha sake of fined hodfeS and iaded
nerves, not to consider higher inter-
tests, it may be found that Sabbath
Eworship is indispensable on economic
and sociological grounds.
| The criticism of the divinity schools
| of the country on the ground that
Ethey are not sufficiently practical for
the needs OF these days has led to
| an interesting experiment in Chicago
Pathological seminary. The study of
the bible in the original tongues is
lmade an elective. Students who de-
sire to do so may study the scriptures
in English solely In the place of the
branches of learning which depend
upon a knowledge of the bible in the
loriginal languages, there Is to be an
extension of instruction in sociology,
pedagogy and practical psychology.
The need of familiarity with these
latter branches is evident, but may
be gained at too dear cost. A min
lister graduated without the knowledge
lgained from the study of the Old
Testament and New in the originals,
especially of the latter, would be lu-
Idtcrously helpless in the face of the
critical questions with which this age