"THE FAST DAY."

Evening Star, Issue 4154, 20 June 1876, Page 4

"THE FAST DAY."

To the Editor.

Sir,—l quite agree with your correspondent of yesterday regarding the above subject. No such holidays should be recognised by anybody except by the members of the Church observing the fast or keeping the holiday. Each sect should have a perfect right to institute as many fasts, feasts, or holiday, as they think proper, but not to cause a general suspension of business. And I fail to see why a.fast day should be re¥irded as a holiday by even those fasting. he less holidays we have the better. Those "priest-riddeii communities" in Europe and America attest the evil influence of such Popish nonsense by the demoralised condition of the people. "Be diligent in business, fervent in spirit "—not alcoholic Bpirit —is the Scriptural command. The Christian Sabbath should be observed as a social and even national necessity. The infidel French abolished it, but were com{telled, by force of circumstances, tore-estab-ish it. But it looks about as inconsistent in a church that not only " winks at," but even encourages the sale of "intoxicants" to institute Fast Days, as it is in a publican to even attempt to suggest a reform. of any kind, so long as he continues in a business regarded by the enlightened world as pernicious in the extreme. But the most inconsistent and contemptible of all are those hypocritical "bad templars " here who actually sell their influence to publicans, and use their innocent brethren and sisters for the accomplishment of their own selfish ends. Such infamous treachery should certainly be denounced.—l am, &e„ * - Ax Observer.

Dunedin, June 16,