The Melbourne Argus on Sunday Observance.

Thames Star, Volume IX, Issue 3020, 19 October 1878, Page 1

The Melbourne Argus on Sunday Observance.

We read with great satisfaction the very sensible and moderate remarks addressed by the Her. Thomas Jones to his congregation on the subject of Sunday observance. Speaking generally, the views put forward by the rev. gentlenun. are 1 those which we hare always entertained, and consistently advocated. We' are glad, however, to have the assistance of the clergy in maintaining what we think right concerning all social questions, more especially when the religious element enters largely into their composition. There are many people who are not amenable to reason — who take their opinions, cut and dried, from any ouo who happens to be in authority* over them. People of this sort cannot be reached, so far as" the.Sunday question is concerned, so long as the clergy throw dust in their eyes in the shape of allegations to the effect that those- who advocate a rational day of rest are desirous of flying in the face of Providence, introducing " the Continental Sundaj'," and gradually depriving the working classes of that seventh portion of time which is emphatically sore labour's bath. Why these things are perpetually said we have never been able to make out, because they are not true. Like Mr Jones,. we firmly believe that the weekly Sabbath is necessary " for the physical and moral well-being" of the people of Victoria. We trust it will ever be " observed and honored," for' whatever its origin may be, it is undoubtedly an institution fraught with the greatest blessings to mankind. But also, like the rev. gentleman, we hold that " the Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath." We contend that, there is nothing which a Christian may lawfully do on any day that he may not lawfully do on Sunday also.

But while all things are lawful when enjoyed in moderation, all things are not expedient. And in applying the rule of expediency we admit nt once that it is very difficult to draw a satisfactory line. The self-regarding ordinance which should regulate individual conduct is simple enough. Each man and woman should do, or abstain lrom doing, anything and everything which his or her conscience may pronounce right and wrong respectively. It is when we come to determine the attitude which the law should take up upon the question that we are apt to be perplexed. It is. possible, however, to lay down a few general principles which for practical purposes may serve as some sort of guide. 1. There should be no interference with that exercise of individual liberty which does not interfere with others. 2. All means of rational and quiet enjoyment should, not'only be tolerated, but encouraged, whereby recreation can be afforded to multitudes at a small expenditure of labor. It must be remembered that recreation differs materially in different cases. The man who is confined to a city workshop or desk all the week finds a run in the country the greatest restorative he can have, while those who lead an active outdoor life need bodily rest, arid a little intellectual amusement. Railway ex* cursions and reading-rooms are there* fore alike useful. Some, no doubt, may find the needed refreshment in at* tending church and teaching in a Sunday* school, and with these of course, no one would wish to interfere. All that'they are asked to do is to abstain from throwing obstacles in the way of those reforms or: proceedings which are necessary to provide others not so easily satisfied with some means of making the " Sabbath a delight." .'■.-,.,.. ■■.-'•

For bur own part we cannot see' why church-going, reading-rooms, and country - excursions should interfere with each other. If the morning church were held at a more convenient hour, maiiy would attend before starting en their journey,or going to look at some book of which they have heard, and which they desire to see. The lloman Catholics, with,their early' masses, are wiser than the Protestant churches in this respect. Mr • Jones declines to express an opinion about opening mechanics' institutions, <fee., on Sunday, but we may easily infer his views from the declare/ipiCthat "it is infinitely better for people to spend time in these institutions than to lounge about the streets or the public-houses; " and we may add—sit at home with closed, curtains to talk scandal or quarrel iv the intervals of gaping. The following recommendation does not come from a. " godless press," but from a. Christian clergyman, and we would have every one lay it to henrt:—"Do your business," says Mr Jones, " in the best possible way during the six- days, and then keep your Sabbath in the best, the highest, the - noblest, the cheerfullest fashion, for God has given it you for that purpose."