The Wahpeton times. [volume] (Wahpeton, Richland County, Dakota [N.D.]) 1879-1919, 1908-02-20
WORKING FOR BETTER SABBATH
North Dakota Cegymen Believe the State Should Join the
Movement for Closer Observance of the Day of Rest

~~eee~e~~~~~~e
can Open Letter to the Men of
North Dakota" is the title of a cir.
cular letter recently issued by
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 for general closing down of
business activities one day in the
week may be due to reach North Da-
kota from moral rather than lega! con-
stderations, should the appeal which
Is now being put forth meet such q
response as it would seem entitled to.
in view of the high authorities cited
in favor of close observance of the
day.
Rev. Herbert Tilden, pastor Of the
FIRST Baptist Church of Fargo. is
president. and Rev. w. H. Gimb,ett
pastor of the Plymouth Congrera.
t1onal church of the same city, is sec
rotary of a committee appointed by
the Fargo Ministerial association for
the purpose of pronulgating the open
letter referred to. In their circular
they cite the following quotations
from eminent men in various walks
of life:
"A corruption of morals generally
follows a proclamation CT the Sabbath"
Blackstone.
reason and experience both forbid
us to expect that natural morality can
prevail in exclusion of religious prin.
Observation-Disclosures.
There Is no religion without moral
ity, and there is no morality without
Sunday. Count Montelambert.
Il hold Sunday to be the most vain.
abe blessing ever conceded to man.
1t is the corner stone of civilization"
Lord Beaconsfield.
"A bigger and better North Dakota"
seems to be the keynote of the COM
mittee'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 aud permanent welfare.
The letter reads, in part, as follows:
we 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
monwealth. The state has refused to
legaliZe 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 a widespread
disregard Of the Lords day. AS con-
sequence, family religion and the
public worship of God decline. Farm
ers pillow and SOW. harvest and
thresh on Sunday as OH 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 Gods
law, is 1t 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.
"1s 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 God
intended we should?
ut was Washington who said: Be
ware of trying to preserve the institu-
tions Of morality after destroying the
institutions of religion
I'VE appeal to the men of North
Dakota-farmers merchants and bust
ness men, OF every church, and Of no
church, to exert their influence for a
better observance Of tie Lords day.
And we do this in the name of the
home, the church and the state. We
urge that men in every community
work together to build up a better
public sentiment touching the keep
ing of Sunday as day of rest and
worship. Let no man wait for an
other; let each man set the example.
He will be surprised how the best
sentiment Of the community will ap-
preciate and support him. Let us
work for bigger and better North
Dakota. Let us set our children the
right example by honoring God and
cherishing Sunday as one of Gods
hest gifts To men