SUNDAY OBSERVANCE.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1153, 14 June 1911, Page 5

SUNDAY OBSERVANCE.

£j rj —it was with mingled feelings of astonishment and regret that I read in your columns of a rccent issue a report of a "National League." Isov;, I know nothing whatever of this 'Imruc, , nor its aims, but the report published piovides a va?t field for strong and substantial criticism on every point, for every temperance worker. . But leaving the "temperance side of the question for tome • abler pen than mine, I will try and prove to this "league" its great misapprehension in regard to .Sunday observance. 11l the first place it is evident that that great and beautiful Commandment. "Remember that thou keep holy the Sabbath Day," was far out of consideration. This is a very important point, for are not the ton Commandments taught and looked up to in every crecd, race, and tongue, nnd has not God ordered us to live and abide by them? Secondly. Dr. I'yfle's remarks about "the youth of the country being not in any way religions," is, I regret to fay, only ten true; but I consider that this "league" is not going to make them any be.tter, but on the other hand is only doing all in its power to make them worse. The answer to this is plainly seen in Matt, xxiii, v. 13: "For ye shut up the Kingdom of Heaven against men; for ye neither go in yourselves nor suffer ve them that are entering to go in." The fault of this lack of religions activity does not always rest with the parents, 'as this "league" supposes, but through the teachings of such "leagues" as this and kindred societies which pass resolutions "that they will oppose any restriction on the of rei c onaiiie recreation on Sundays.'' God savs: "Six days shalt thou labour, and on tiie seventh thou shalt rest." It is also hard to tell what is the limit, of "reasonable" recreation, for this limit seems to get wider and wider every day. Thirdly, this "league" snys "(hat tho <|ueslioii of going to church is not one of religion at all." This, I regret to ?ay (> is also becoming only too true. for. judging bv the way some people behave in church, and ill tiie majority of cn c rs the little noticeable attention which is paid to what, ii being taught, and which is intended and should act as the most _ important part and parcel of our daily lives, it only arouses our great thankfulness that we are not all alike, and at. the same time verifies our Divine knowledge that there is a vast difference when "the Lord openeth the eyes." In short, the rcsolutions passed by this "league" are but one of the ninny evidences of the approaching of Christ's Kingdom, for as it draweth nigh it is written "Many false prophets shall rise anil shall deceive many, and because iniqnilv shall abound the love of many shall wax cold, but he that shall enrlurc unto the end shall be saved ' (Matt. xxiv, verses 11. 12, andl.D. In conelusion I may say that this "league need not be afraid of "hurting the feelings of

itligious people," "for ye do err, not knowing tlie Scriptures, nor the power of God"; and then lie says, "Sit thou down on my right hand till I make thine enemies thy footstcol," and I consider that this "league" ami its resolutions are hut a I'jotslcol far every Christian temperance- worker.—] am, elc., (Mis?) FRANCES U. CIAMLIN, N.Z. Superintendent ''Sabbath Observance of the Women's Christian Temperance Union." Kaupolcoiiui, Ilawera, Tarnnaki, June 5, 1911. ' [Dr. Fyffc has explained that his remarks wore nr.t in any way intended to discourage ehurch-coing.]