Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1910-02-04
FOR LIBERAL SUNDAY
letter from Bishop Hall Read in
St. MichaePS Church

the keynote of the annual pastoral
letter for Lent by Right Rev A. G. A.
IIau Of Burlington, bishop of the Episco-
-.. diocese of Vermont which was read
r &c. Michaels Episcopal church Sunday
ut the rector, Rev. Andrew Harper, jr.
l.-lop Hall departs from the old Puritan
..aa Of Sunday and says that the Fourth
rommandment, Remember the Sabbath
G.y to keep it holy" relates to the
I.g,Ish sabbath and not to the Chris
.an Sunday, although he recognizes an
a.Igation to dedicate a part of our time
81. the immediate service of God. The
pttor is likely to provoke some comment
and criticism from those who have held
50 the Puritan view. 1t is as follows:
no the Congregations of the Diocese
ga, Nermont:-The coming again of the
annual season of special repentance. self
discipline, devotion and instruction sug-
.,~ts thought for my usual pastoral
letter, the observance of Sunday, the
weekly Holyday of the Christian church
There is no need to enlarge upon the
rrwng disregard of Sunday, alike in
..fy. in village and in country, and
among all classes of persons This is
,aIa ana obvious to all
lm more anxious to say something
.r the subject because l have felt unable
t, Join with some earnest people who
r.,u this matter greatly at heart, since
.... put forward grounds for the observ-
.., OF Sunday which. l am sure. can
..t ho justified. 1t is always dangerous
.. rest claims on erroneous or insecure
u.rIations There is no doubt that the
prevalent laNity with regard to Sunday
Observance is in part due not only to
reaction from Puritan oVerstrictneSs hut
b.. perception that the warrants on
H..I that strictness was based were
.. sound.
HH. Christian Sunday has no relation
to The old Jewish Sabbath (and conse-
q1art'y none to the Fourth Command
meu, save as both recognize and bear
N.r,-- to the principle that we are
t..HI to dedicate certain portion of
.u. time ,as of our means) to the more
immediate service of Almighty God The
CHRISTIAN sunday is not (as some have
-.lu,pdl the heir to the Jewish Sab
bath. succeeding to its restrictions and
allegations only observed on a different
day #re Sabbath, like Circumcision and
o... nsututions of the Jewish law, has
passed away. SO st. Paul expressly
teaches tCol ii. 49, Sunday. or Lords
day. distinctly an institution of the
Christian church from the time of the
Apostles. as Il weekly commemora tion of
OUR Lord 8 resurrection from the grave
when We too should seek to rise to higher
a,I better aims and let in the light of
higher not only of a future world
upon oar ordinary concerns, our duties
and pleasures, our sorrows and tempta-
Nuus'
Rules for the observance of the weekly
ha.t-tay have of necessity varied at
different times according to the oppor-
tuHtIcS OF Christian people CirCum-
stances were very different in the first
ages when Christians were small body
and exposed to persecution, from those
ol 81 after time when the influence Of the
Christian church practically ruled society.
From the first and always the as
Semu.ug Of Christians for common wor-
ship has been the chief duty of Sunday
For the sake of extending to all
t.e opportunity for this duty abstinence
from ordinary business, so far as possible
oiH, Go Doe enjoined. In this way has
been gained the provision for rest. GER
ta.aH never more needed than in our
own 'lN which is for many time OF
excessive activity and strain.
Innocent recreation, not inconsls-
ten, with the leading purpose of the day
and It's primary duties, mas been en-
coJmgol rather than forbidden except
under Puritan influence.
Our o"r church rule on the subject lays
down
"a. persons within this church shall
celebrate ANA keep the Lords day. COM
moat 'aNt0 Sunday, by regular partici-
patton 0 the public worship of the
church. hy hearing the word of God read
and taught, in private prayer, in other
exercises NJ devotion and in acts of
charity. using all cody and sober con-
versattou."
Conversation J. may explain, is to be
understood here as in the King James
version ~ the Bible as equivalent to be-
haUour and conduct)
Suon a remarkable rule must commend
Itself 20 all Christian people who will
think about the subject
'aI We all need pauses and resting
places our lives that we may give at
font
'eTeS's of life. Such resting places are
secured hy the appointment of a fixed
and urring hoy-day.
90. We are learning more and more
IN various ways of the social side of our
religion and Of life in general, that we
are members of one body, dependent one
upon another. and not isolated units.
This thought ought to make more plain
10 us 'Ae duty beside that of mere obedi-
thce y" ID laW) Of regular attendance at
chuIrt ou Sunday, for the common wor-
snip of God and the common witness to
QUIZ religion and for mutual encourage
ment and nelp. General attendance at
me Lords house on the Lords day
'cAIeuF for the Lords service) should be
Ta.IFng Of the Christian forces in the
community
'r We must be unselfish in making
arrangements so that others as well as
ourselves. especially all our household and
Nepen4auts, may have an opportunity for
lNe d1u Observance of Sunday. This will
Ituule Z" minimum Sunday trading and
MAKE u.s. careful about amusements and
travelling which involve unnecessary labor
'' me part Of others.
mere We touch an exceedingly difficult
ana complicated question. The growth
VI commercial and other intercourse be-
tween ono part of the country and
aNolhr The spread Of all manner of con-
,eN'h.'+ ,such as electric lighting and
p"'I perhaps too the greater delicacy
WI modern machinery, seem to render
unavoidable a good deal of employment
VII sundays which in simpler times was
~. needed. This necessary employment
n''''".E prepares the way for mucn
"''' .'' is not necessary. About two
P'.'s . am clear:
I'D Employers and managers are
.."'i provide by some extra eXpendi-
n-r need he for shifting relays of
"oTAm.u SO tnat none will be contnu-
2l'" deprived of Sunday with its privi-
yte' alI duties, There is no doubt that
~. " method would be found to pay in
| 'OH run, by the better service that
'a o ana would be rendered.
t,''' 40 one who values his religion and
M U". CHEST interests, ought to accept
rL uent where such provision is not
"aie This certainly is a case for the
IHI.i'un Of the rule to sacrifice our
"T T Tor the sake of our higher life.
a, ne tiiiculties Of the question are I'M
%nu''n.J great; but the obligations are
at@I lH the light of great principles
''5"y"Ies find their solution.
t,' word / will add about the oppor-
|..'s which Sunday offers for gaining
Wu"' Non by quiet reading as well as
mn H. Nl.n NNNNk he