SUNDAY AMUSEMENTS.

Hokitika Guardian, 13 September 1923, Page 2

SUNDAY AMUSEMENTS.

MIX [STEPS’ CONDEMNATION [I)V TEI.CGIIM‘II l'Klt PRESS ASSOCIATION.] CHISISTCHFRCn, Kept. 12. Sabbath observance was discussed bv the Christchurch Pibsbytery to-day, when the Piesbytery made strong comment on the wording of the Special Committee’s resolution. The whole matter was referred back to the committee. The resolutions were submitted by the itev. J. Dickson, as follows:

(1) This Presbytery deeply deplores the growing irreligious Sunday trafiic now in our midst, the reckless rushing of a multitude of men, women, and ehihlrcn hither and thither from morning to night in pursuit of some pleasure, some of sport, some of excitement, some of Sunday visiting, and some of worldly gain, by which all reverence for the Sabbath and the very existence of our rest day, are threatened. It instructs Ministers, Homo Missionaries. Sabbath School teachers, and biblo class teachers, to warn repeatedly those under their care against this insidious undermining of our rest day, and our greatest hanier against national infidelity. It exhorts all members as well ns all office-bear-ers of the Church, to honour the Lord’s Day in its entirety, according to divine requirements, and so free themselves and the Church from the responsibility. not only for grosser moral evils associated with tins irreligious Sunday traffic, but also for the loss ot teh physical recuperation and mental and moral refreshment, by which the individual is robbed of his heritage, business is robbed of its strengtn. tne nation is robbed of its virility, the Church is robbed of much of its power for good, and our risen Lord ol His glory. (-2) That the Moderator be instructed to communicate with the heads of other evangelical churches and of the Labour Movement in the district, with a view to secure combination in discouraging all avoidable Sunday labour, and in preserving our rest day.

The Rev. Dr Erwin, in protesting against the wording of the committee s resolutions, said the Presbytery would not gain anything for its cause if it placed before the public a resolution in such language. The Presbytery's attitude must be modified. The greatest- question was to get people into the, Church, and to observe the Sabbath. The Rev. John Patterson expressed amazement at the wording ot the resolution. He said they lived in a community where a large number did not believe in keeping the Presbytery’ 6 conception of the Sabbath. The Presbytery had no right to dictate to those people, as this resolution would have it do.’ Christianity demanded courtesy, and the Presbytery simply could not go and force- them to observe the gabhath,