Evening journal., 1909-04-15

four centuries Mankind lost the creation
sabbath ages ago And besides these ma
tural changes there have been arbitrary
changes In the calendar necessitated
among the nations on account OF inexact
reckoning. such as the change made in
1852 which gave us our modern calendar.
at which time the calendar used had fallen
so far behind the real seasons that the day
following October 4th was called October
18TH in order to catch up.
But more spiritual reason can be given
for observing the first instead Of the sew
enth day Of the week as our sabbath.
Christ IN reproving the Pharisees made il
very plain that It was the condition of
che heart that counted. and not the obser-
vance OF any set days or forms or cere-
monies. The Jewish Sabbath had become
overladen with many foolish laws and
rules. Christ protested against them, and
allowed His disciples to break them. lie
would be glad 10 see His church freeing it.
self from them by observing a day not
weighted down by them, and we may be
sure He would be pleased with our re-
membrance OF the day OF His resurrec-
tion. Such a remembrance was inevitable
among His true disciples.
The chief point to be remembered is the
statement Of our Lord, that the sabbath Is
made for man and not man for the sab
bath. The essential thing is that We keep
one day in seven sacredly set apart for
/ rest and worship. and Il is essential that
this shall be the same day for all. else one
half the nation working on n certain day
would prevent the other half from resting
on that day. and tend to destroy the day
OF rest altogether. Agitation regarding
the Sabbath day in New York city has en-
\ sbled many selfish tradesmen to keep their
\ shops running seven days in the week lt
Is right that the law should step in and
compel the cessation Of work on the first
day of the week. and such law Is not in
\ the interest of any sect. or a union or
church and state. but merely a safeguard
u ing of the peoples freedom and their high
est interests.
The question Of keeping the Lords day
is largely a heart question. II is not a
question so much q obeying a command
OF law as II is OF obeying a law Of love.
There are many ways Of truly making IT a
day OF rest and gladness. a day of Joy and
light the family, the church. good
thoughts good books. good deeds, body
] resting and mind resting ways. heart
. gratifying anc heart cultvatng ways.
spirit advancing and soul saving ways. in
which every Lords day can be made OF
] the greatest refreshment TO ourselves and
delight 10 others. and which will bring us
Monday morning with a heart serene.
} ioful trusting, and swestly conscious OF
the divine presence.
Welcome. thou day OF sweet repose.
On which our Lord victorious rose;
On which the Holy spirit came,
With 1iery tongues Of cloven flame
! Oh day OF life and light and grace.
From earthly tolls sweet resting place,
May all thy hallowed hours bring
Us nearer TO our Heavenly King
> Christian Endeavor News.
Elsewhere I'm this paper will he giver
: an account Of our rally on Thursda,
> evening OF this week. at the Central Pres
byterian Church DO not fail to be thsr'
yourself, to meet our new city officers a.
, they begin their term. 10 see the banner
presented and hear the summing up o
/. our years work. and last but not least
!, to hear Mr. Macartney's address. whicl
!. Is sure TO be something worth coming TOT
: It is with regret that as his term o
office closes with this week. the write
feels compelled to decline the appointment
TO the press work OF our city union 70
/, another year The work has been yer
I. interesting and very helpful. and Il
: hoped that another will be found TO tax
!. up this work and keep It going.
A large body Of the Central Endeavorer
conducted service in the Homeopathi
Hospital last Sunday afternoon, thu
= bringing a little OF the Easter brightnes
= to the sick ones there. For next sunda
evening the Society has asked Rev
\ George L. Ferguson to address them OF
. the topic.
The Rodney Society took up spec.a
y Easter offering on last Sunday evening
: amounting TO $50. for the benefit OF thei
. recently organized Junior Christian En-
deavor Society.
M