The Detroit times., 1911-03-13

Christian ought not 10 do. can only
record my solemn protest ms a Chris
tian minister against some things that
not few people hsbitually do. I would
lift up my voice In earnest protest
against the compelling OF great num-
bers OF men to work en- the Sabbath by
thoughtless. careless. gain-ioying or
pieasure-seeking people. fhis iH con-
trary to the spirit or the day and con-
rels countless men 10 work. Thus they
are robbed at onca of their Sabbath
rost and opportunities :or IciSious eHi-
tore 1t MAJ be that m tn. last great
and the men who promote them. max
Ing gains or seeking pleasure therein
themselves. while selhshly compelling
those forced to toll TO lose the privi-
leges OF the Sabbath--wiil have many
lost souls TO answer for. The day
ought TO be upsullied by selfish pleas
OF gain or unnecessary labor.
! To some people the Sabbath means
little more than wading through the
inane columns OF the Sunday news
papers. drinking soda water and eat
Ing popcorn: visiting the blind alleys
where liquor is illegally sold; shout
ing oneself hoarse at baseball game
having noisy and irreligious pleasure
on an excursion boat. or seeing some
of the lurid spectacles presented In the
theaters and moving picture shows.
MANY OF THESE dnlnkS are cOntfdTy
the laws of our state, as we'll as 10 the
law OF Christ, and are only permitted
through the failure of public officials.
sworn to enforce the law, TO do so;
through the laxity OF the moral sense
OF the community; through the subter-
fuge OF an insignificant gift TO charity.
or under the guise OF rendering
| sacred concert
The state laws are as follows:
bs15-No person shall be present
az any game. sport. play, or pubic
diversion, or resort to any public
assembly. excepting meetings for
religious worship or moral instruc-
tion. or concerts OF sacred music,
upon the evening OF the said first
day OF the week; and every person
SO offending shall be punished by
fine not exceeding Ave dollars for
each offense.
5sl2-No persons shall keep open
his shop. warehouse or workhouse,
or shall do any manner OF labor.
business or work, or be present at
any dancing OF at any public diver
! sion. show, or entertainment. OF
take part I'm any sport, game or
play on tho first day OF the week.
TIVE foregoing provisions shall not
Charity nk - nor o't 10 q The sE making A Of
mutual promises OF marriage nor
to solemnization Of marriages, And
every. person so offending shall be
punished by fine not exceeding ten
dollars for each offense.
Christian parents who allow their
boys to sell and deliver papers on, the
What a travesty on the sabbath. a holy
day, for men to be found knocking lit
tie white rubber balls OF golf over the
fields ct the hours OF divine worship
or OF taking long automobile rides
when they and their children should be
found worshipping in the house OF God,
or In the quiet comradeship OF a walk
In the fields or OF the home. Sunday Is
the golden opportunity for the father
to get acquainted with his children, to
comrade with them, An automobile is
thing to be used, not abused. For
one to enjoy quiet ride over beautiful
roads on a Sabbath afternoon. especial
~ II they would give some one the
pleasure OF riding who could not other
with. But the vast majority OF people
have not or never can have such an
opportunity.
city Needs More Parks.
Our city OF Detroit. especially the
hossa t, end ,a needs more re par an,e lot
ought not to be necessary for citizens
of this great city to have to go on long
car rides 10 reach q green spot for
4 quiet and fitting enjoyment OF the Sab
| bath afternoon. II Is to the everlasting
| credit OF cur officials IN the Detroit
postoffice that the Sunday delivery or
mails has been abolished and the sun
day work connected with the postoffice
reduced to o minimum. Note what one
business man of Denver. where they
are petitioning for Sunday closing, says
.sWhen / get my mail on Sabbath. I
always get mail that disturbs my at
tention while at church. want the
office closed SO as to allow my mind to
be free for religious duties on that
day"
The majority of those who call for
wait for another day. The envelopes
are mostly fine paper and scented.
which indicates their probable source
and contents. Another harmful result
Is that children are trained to secular
Ice the Sabbath.
All unnecessary purchases, money
transactions, travel and pleasure that
ish pleasure ought to be avoided by
the conscientious Christian. The fash
ION OF Sunday evening dinner parties.
compelling servants to work and pre-
venting church people from attending
the Sunday evening service to receive
the benefits and to inspire the preacher
by their presence. ought to pass out of
vogue Immediately. II leaves the min
lister to preach TO sinners, while they
are having a hilarious old time at the
dinner party without thought of
their responsibility or opportunity
There Is a rising tide Of sentiment.
too. against such overwork on Satur-
day, In stores and shops, as to keep the
tired and worn-out clerks from a
proper use or enjoyment o2 the Sabbath
The excuse given by many people for
not attending church on Sunday Is that
they are worked TO the point of nervous
and physical collapse on Saturday,
especially Saturday night. / would like
to commend In the highest terms those
stores and factories that close at noon
on Saturday. A still better proposition
though scarcely 20 be hoped for just
yet would he TO giPe the toilers the
whole OF Saturday for a noliday--base-
ball excursions, anything legitimate
An agitation of public sentiment for
this end. is being made just now among
some Of our leading people. Just about
as much work would be done, they
claim: as much would. I'm the long run,
be bought and sold as now. And by all
means, IL a man Is compelled to work
on the Sabbath day. he should be given
one day In seven for rest and recupera-
tion.
The "Model Sabbath
This would be our suggested pro-
gram OF a model Sabbath for the aver
age man: After the quiet devotions at
the family altar, he would be seen
mending his way to church. for divine
worship and the study of Gods word.
JHa-- III l. n.