SABBATH-SMASHING

Marlborough Express, Volume XLVII, Issue 33, 7 February 1913, Page 3

SABBATH-SMASHING

POLITICIANS IN OTAGO

RESOLUTION BY DUNEDIN

PRESBYTERY

- Sabbath observance was a matter discussed at a meeting of the Dunedin Presbytery on Tuesday. The Rev. Mr Kilpatrick, in introducing the subject, referred to the visit paid, to Southland by a number of Members' of. Parliament. A fine programme had been arranged for them, to, enable them to see the industries in the South and the extent of land in that part, but it was a programme j that^ had no recognition whatever of j the Sabbath Day. Arrangements had been made for the Sabbath Day just as for other days. Tho Presbytery was not a political body, and lie hoped it never would be, ax a Presbytery _or as a Church; but it was a I religious body, and he was sure he j expressed the feelings of a large section of the community, both, in Otago and Southland, when he said j that such conduct was an offence, and was not in the line that one might. expect to find Members of Parliament j pursuing. A great deal might be j said on tho matter, but it would only, be saying what they were all' agreed upon. He thought they ought to pass a resolution disapproving altogether of tho conduct of these Mem bers of Parliament in not recognising j the sanctity o.f tho Sabbath Day while paying their visit to Otago atid Southland. The I{ev. Mr Scorgie hoped that notice, would be taken of the matter, hi order to show that the Presbytery was neither indifferent nor blind to what was going on. The Rev. Mr Whyte confessed that he had not followed the doings ot these gentlemen who came from the North and he was delighted to find that Mr Kilpatrick had brought the matter before the Presbytery. The Moderator • I don't know exactly what they did. The Rev. Mr Kilpatrick said they, had arranged long motor rides and meetings, and cveiything went on just- as on week-days. The Rev. Mr Niven : They received deputations on the Sabbath. The Rpv. Mr Finlayson said no one would have known it was the Sabbath Day at all. It was resolved: "That the Presbytery regret that, so far as appears from the reports in the press, the Members of Parliament who recently visited Otago in carrying out their programme of travel ignored tihe sanctity of the Lord's Day, and thereby set an example before the community which becomes all the more baneful because of the exalted position which they occupy."