OUR HOLy DAYS.

Southland Times, Issue 1525, 16 January 1872, Page 2

OUR HOLy DAYS.

[communicated.] "We enjoy our secular holidays together, and why cannot we celebrate together our sacred feasts and fasts ? This ia an important question, for, coming as we do from such distant homes, we should endeavor to hasten the process of becoming one people. In all matters of theory we agree to differ, but that does not make it less practically important, that there should be a certain uniformity ia outward observances, for though there cannot be a greater bond of union than religion, we should remember that it may be made the source of the greatest divisions. From time immemorial, G-ood Friday has been observed as the most solemn fast in the church. There has been no difference of opinion as to the weighty meaning of the facts it commemorates ; why then cannot that day be observed by all denominations of Christians ? We find four large sections of the Christian community living together in this country, of which the two _ older branches — the Roman and the Anglican— strictly observe this day, while the Presbyterian and the Wesleyan churches have hitherto disused it. Every one can understand how desirable and convenient it would be to observe the same holy days, and no one could object that the same days should be selected for various reasons. The Presbyterians have a spring and an autumn fasc. It might be easily arranged that Good Friday should be habitually selected by their authorities, and that the members of the Church of England, in order to meet the views of the Presbyterians, should observe the last Friday in September for their Michaelmas celebration. Perhaps all would agree that such an arrangement would be very desirable, for though we meet in separate congregation's, it is only reasonable that we should pray at the same seasons, and the keeping different holy days amongst those, who, after all, profess the same religion, can only encourage in evil those who wish to escape all ecclesiastical discipline. Now, if the end is desirable, how is it to be reached? We would answer without hesitation — it can only be effected by a general movement among the lay members. It is this only which is likely to prove to the satisfaction of the leaders of the Presbyterian church, that their members are enlightened enough to observe Good Friday without any superstition. Let this be done, and then a greater step will be made towards unity than can be reached by any official irregularities in interchanging pulpits. We believe that there are many in this young community who wish to make a strong pull, but it cannot be done unless it is the pull all together. Let this be our new year's effort. We may seek the highest modern light, and yet we may acknowledge the beauty of the old catholic ways. _________»___——