The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1908-02-21

| A>OA III 0ohOId 10 lllc Illl0 u d Cl[-
cular letter recently issued by a
prominent clergymen's organization in
this state, the purpose of which is to
awaken interest in the better observ-
ance of the Sabbath day. The wide
spread movement throughout the
country fos general closing down of
| business activities one day in the
week may be due to reach North Da-
lota from moral rather than legal con-
side7ations, should the appeal which
Is now being put forth meet such a
response as 1t would seem entitled to,
in view Of the high authorities cited
in favor of close observance of the
day.
Rev. Herbert Tilden, pastor CT the
First Baptist Church of Fargo, is
president, and Rev. w. II. Gimblett,
pastor of the Plymouth Congrega.
tional church of the same city, is seq.
rotary of committee appointed by
the Fargo Ministerial association for
tie purpose of promulgating the open
Letter referred to. In their circular
they cite the following quotations
from eminent men in various walks
of i:a:
"a corruption of morals generally
follows proclamation Of the Sabbath, !"
Blackstone.
Reason and experience both forbid
us to expect that natural morality can
prevail In exclusion Of religious prtn-
ciples. "-Washingtcn.
There is no religion without moral
ity, and there is no morality without
Sunday. Montelambert.
Il hold Sunday to be the most valu-
abe blessing ever conceded to man.
1t is the corner stone of civilization. 1"
Lord Beaccnsfeld.
"A bigger and better North Dakota "
seems to be the keynote of the cunr-
mlttee's open letter, and the press,
pulpit and manhood of the state are
called upon to cooperate for the up-
building of the states interests along
the lines which will make for its more
substantial and permanent welfare.
The letter reads. in part, as follows:
I'VE are justly proud Of our great
state, with its fertility. resources and
opportunities, its educational institu-
lions and the character of it's people
as reflected in the laws of the COM
monwea1th. The state has refused to
lega11ze gambling. and it has ban
nished lottery and the open saloon.
But it takes more than broad and fer
tile fields. more than schools and
temperance legislation, more than
wealth and business enterprise, to
make and keep state truly great.
A people to be truly great must be
religious and have regard for the
laws of God and the institutions of
worship.
1t is manifest to every thoughtful
observer that there is widespread
disregard of the Lords day. AS con-
f, sequence, family religion and the
public worship of God decline Farm
. ers pillow and SOW. harvest and
thresh on Sunday as on other days.
Merchants buy and sell. boys and men
hunt and play ball, regardless of the
fact that God has said Remember the
Sabbath day to keep it holy The
columns of the newspapers and the
records of the courts show that the
social and business and political world
are filled with dishonesty and i'm.
purity. If men refuse to honor Cod s
law, is it surprising that they treat
with contempt the laws of the state?
do we want our children to become
pagans? Will the dollars that we
make or save compensate for the, loss
of moral energy and Christian char
acter
els it patriotic Or Christian to con
suit only our own pleasures, or selfish
interest in respect to the Lords day
do you think we shall long have
Christian civilization. when men ut
terly neglect to keep Sunday as Got
Intended we should?
"It was Washington who said: BE
ware of trying to preserve the institu
lions Of morality after destroying tho
institutions of religion
1--WE appeal to the men of NORTH
Dakota-farmers, merchants and bust
ness men, of every church, and Of II,
church, to exert their influence for
better observance of the Lords day
And we do this in the name of tn
home, the church and the state. W.
urge that men in every communit
work together to build up bette
public sentiment touching the keep
ing of Sunday as day of rest an
worship. Let no man wait for ar
other; let each man set the example
He will be surprised how the hes
sentiment of the community will al
t preciate and support him. Let u
|. work for a bigger and better Mort
y DakotS. Let us set our children tn
j right example by IGNORING God an
d cherishing Sunday as one Of God
3. best gifts to men.
d "In urging this appeal we believ