"SABBATI" OBSERVANCE.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3799, 18 September 1883, Page 3

"SABBATI" OBSERVANCE.

[To Tin: Editor of the Daily Tkucorapk.] Sir,--As you have not yet closed the correspondence "on the "Sabbath observance" question, may I crave space for some remarks ttiient "No Puritan's" letter in this evening's issue. When I read his first letter the impression left on my mind was that, not only must "No Puritan" be a very selfish individual indeed, but that his letter must have been penned—to put the most, charitable construction on it—from a mere spirit of mischievous opposition to endeavors to put a stop to what you most aptly describe as an unmitigated nuisance—Sunday trading by the Union Company's boats. lam not going to discuss the question of the " Sabbath" "—"chacau a son (/out, " but I will take " No Puritan" on his own ground. He holds that recreation on one day in the week is a necessity, and I will take it for granted that "No Puritan" will allow the word recreation to .signify cessation from the six days toil, and the devotion of the day to some purposes, no matter what. Now, is it not right that as that owe day lias been set apart among Christians as Sunday, all should bo able to enjoy it in common, including the lightermen, crow of the 800 j urn, and the checkers. As for those "No Puritan" considerately says, and I hope they will appreciate his sympathy, "What "matters whether they rest on Saturday or Sunday, and if they rest on Saturday, when other people arc at work surely they ought not to grumble because the next day that order of things is reversed." Was ever more selfish argument 'i How can a man rest on Saturday when all about him arc for the most part more than usually busy ? What manner of man "No Puritan" is I do not know, but I do know that to men enforced idleness is wearisome work, and no rest, and is not to bo compensated for by extra payment for working on the following day, if that day be Sunday. Thus I think it will bo clear, even unto the .strong-minded "No Puritan" that the Sunday steamer trailic brings to all those who arc engaged in it (I am not_ only alluding to "No Puritan's" particular friends, the lightermen, kc.) no one day of rest, much less of recreation, whether it be for the pleasure of seeking God in fellowship with others, or of attaining "No .Puritan's" ideal happiness, excursioning. Then again his statement that the Sunday service isoccasional : I am convinced no one knows better than "No Puritan" that it is more than that. It certainly does not occur every Sunday in the year, but when once begun it becomes constant. It has been so in the past, is so now, and would be so in the future, as long as the company is allowed its own sweet will. As for the argument that no one is bound to work on the Sunday except ho chooses, that is mere idle talk. I contend that because the j Sunday service is, to use "No Puritan's" expression, occasional, those who have anything to do with the arrival and departure of the steamers are bound to attend to what they have to do in connection with them on that day, and I'll be bound to say that if " No' Puritan's " servants, or his cattle had anything to do with the steamer service he would take care that they did it, and expect them to work on the' Saturday into the bargain. lam glad to see you 'have taken up the matter so warmly, and hope that by some means the practice will effectually be put a stop to. If we only hud a harbor !—I am, ka.,

September 18, ISSIi