SABBATH OBSERVANCE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 2679, 5 January 1924, Page 4

SABBATH OBSERVANCE.

The question of Sabbath observance was referred to by the Mnyor of Christchurch, Mr J. A. Flesher, in the course of a recent address. The Mayor said there was representatives on the borough and county councils of the Dominion who were doing their part in order to have the Sabbath kept as a holy day. Whenever men took a definite stand in these matters, lie thought it would be better if those who approved, instead of sitting by quietly, would express their approval in a more audible way. “I have had a. look at the census returns, and I have asked myself what would happen if next Sunday every person took it into his or her head to go" to church,” the Mayor continued. The total number of buildings in the Dominion used for church worship was just under 4,000, and they provided for the accommodation of less than 45 per cent, of the people who declared themselves as adherents of the various churches. If all the adherents went to church they could not provide for them more than once a Sunday, and he was one of those who believed in going twice on a Sunday. “T am not a believer in the ‘oncers,’’ he added. The Rev. J. A. Asher said that it was gratifying that in most of the cities of the Dominion tin* representatives in the chief seats were outstanding Christian men like the May or of Christchurch.