Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-01-30
BY Bishop w. "A. Gambler


Men who have prospered by lives OF
piety frequently forget in the days of
their prosperity the principles of life
by which they have been successful
and renounce these principles in favor
of habits more lax and self-indulgent.
But the outcome of such a course is al
ways unfortunate and injurious.
In like manner communities may for
made great, and break away from prin-
ciples essential to their continued well
fare. 1t is greatly to be feared that
such is the case at this time with re-
spect to the observance Of the Sabbath
in the United States.
This nation was founded by men act
ing under the compulsion of the strong
est religious motives. and by it's moral
life chiefly its greatness has been &C
complished. 1t cannot, without serious
disaster. trampIe under foot the prin-
ciples which gave it birth and which
have prevailed throughout it's history.
In the south these principles have
other sections of the country, our sec
ton having had less immigration from
Continental Europe and having been
exempted from other influences which
have injuriously affected the people Of
some other parts of the United States.
Sabbath observance has been and is
better in the south than in any other
But forces are at work among us to
subvert the Sabbath. They are work
ing persistently and shrewdly. They
are at work right here in the city of
Atlanta, and many of our people seem
blind to what is going on.
Under pretenses of serving various
charitable causes moving picture
shows" are open every Sunday. This
opening of these places on the Sabbath,
if not stopped, will lead to other things
of a worse nature, if there be any worse
things. Presently we shall have an ag-
itation for Sunday football and base
ball. Then still greater excuses will
be INDUCED; and the final outcome will
be the utter subversion of the Sabbath.
This does not seem to arouse the at
tention even of the preachers as much
as do other things of less Importance,
and it is to be feared that the serious
menace to our civilization which it in
wolves is not clearly perceived. Even
thoughtful and pious people do not per-
ceive that the destruction of the Sab
bath involves the overthrow of relig-
ion.
1t has been said that the Sabbath is
the lungs of religion and when it is de-
stroyed religion perishes of consump-
ton. The statement is not too strong,
and the progress of this white plague"
which threatens the life of religion in
our country. must be speedily and Wig
orously resisted.
Practical atheism can hardly express
itself more thoroughly than by the
habitual and universal violation of the
Lords Day. And the atheists know this.
They know that when the Sabbath is
gone there will be no worship, and when
ligion, and with religion overthrown ath-
ism will prevail everywhere
Men of the world need to consider this
fact. A Sabbathless city will be a riot
Gus and ruined city, and this is especial
ly true in this period of the worlds his
tory when the contentious between capt.
tai and labor are so sharp. There is a
peril here that should appeal to worldly
wisdom, if not to religious fear. The
labor unions. use Sundays for their meet
ings, and many of the employers Of the
men who compose these unions disregard
the Sabbath Day by both labor and
When both parties to these
industrial conflicts have been removed
from the influence of worship and the
restraints of religion, what must be the
inevitable outcome? They will not
meet each other in any spirit of fairness
or brotheriiness. and their collisions will