The Washington herald., 1908-01-20

Bishop Henry Y. Satterlee delivered
sermon on the Observance of Sunday
az the II o'clock service yesterday morn
ing in the Pro-Cathedral Church Of the
Ascension.
Throughout the city, irrespective Of de-
nomination Clergymen are making a
strong appeal TO the people of Washing
ton to more properly observe the Sab
bath day A meeting was recently held
at the New York Avenue Presbyterian
Church, at which ministers representing
nearly every Protestant denomination,
and certain priests Of the Catholic faith.
decided 20 make a concerted appeal from
the pulpit on a Sunday 10 be designated.
Last Sunday was chosen. At nearly every
church in the city Observance Of Sun
day was the subject Of the sermon.
Delayed Sermon.
Bishop Satterlee was unable to deliver
a sermon on that day but preached the
delayed sermon yesterday morning More
than 1900 printed appeals for a better
observance Of Sunday were distributed
10 the congregations. Bishop satterlee
requested that these be given careful con-
sideration. He said in part:
I am speaking 10 Christians. I take
il for granted they are willing 10 do all
in their power 10 promote Sunday OBJ
servance. The question is, How shall this
be done? IN answer / would begin with
ourselves
Each one of US who came TO church
this morning is unsatisfied with himself.
On the one hand he has lOngings TO be
better and on The other d consciousness
Of failure and sin that cannot be smOth-
cred. This is natural religion, and natural
religion is the foundation upon which
Christ builds.
Amusements Waste of Time.
The Bible is a mirror in which we see
/ ourselves reflected. Christs words and
examples answer these divine longings
/ and this consciousness of sin. In these
things the Christian religion answers 10
the deepest things in our lives.
'The conscience is smothered by week
day life Sunday rest is absolutely needed
II God is to be a reality in our lives.
II have nothing 10 say about Sunday
amusements except the one tE.zs. Il ia
vokes a loss Of Time which means the
/ loss of spiritual power. Religion becomes
d nonreality.'
Bishop Satterlee then spoke Of how the
Sunday services We're neglected. He said
the people Of to-day only seem 10 think
Of music or some other pleasure. He
said that therefore, Sunday seemed now
no longer for public worship,
Continuing. he said.
This appeal deals with family life
The greatest and most popular song OF
the English language is Home, Sweet
Home. II was written by an American.
II expresses the sentiment Of our fore
fathers.
The greatest evil-dOers of these days
are those who tend 20 break up the Chris
tan life Sunday amusements invoke the
separation OF parenSs and children on the
only day when the father can be with his
family. If people cannot sacrifice them
selves for God and their families. by and
by they lose their love for God and fam
ily for the law of love is self-sacrifce.
Natural Affection Less Strong.
THE apostles say in the last days men
viii be without natural affection. Ii is
appalling 10 see how much less family
affection there is to-day when compared
70 the days when Home, Sweet Home"
was written.
Sunday observance is needed for God
and for home. How shall it be practical
TO get it? BY setting forth rules against
Sunday dinners. Sunday at-homes. sun
day excursions No. That would DO no
good. We must have positive inward
convictions that Sunday must be rescued
for God and home
"A man says, What can I do alone?
( What influence can / haveg The answer
Is, We must not stand alone but to-
gether.' The Christian religion is the
greatest social power in the whole world
and in these days. when we ind worldly
social orsaniza tions of every kind every
( where, in the church there is no counter
acting social power.
Here is a practical issue. We must pro-
/ tect Sunday observance for God and for
/ home, that must be our inspiration-our
| battle cry. And if we have To bear the
/ repTOaCh of Christ in this standing out
as witnesses for Christ. the reproach it,
/ self becomes our glory and the sure token
/ that our religious life is a reality"