DESECRATION OF THE SABBATH.

Tuapeka Times, Volume VII, Issue 412, 28 November 1874, Page 3

DESECRATION OF THE SABBATH.

{To the Editor.) Sir. — In your issue of the 14th, a correspondent heading his letter "Desecration of the Sabbath," after expressing his surprise at having seen young men of Waipori, playing cricket on a Sunday, goes' on to say that they (the cricketers) seem to ignore the Divine injunction "to keep the Sabbath holy," and that indulging in such pastime is unbecoming christians. Can your correspondent be aware that the largest section of the Christian Church — namely, the Roman Catholics, hold that performing religious service and indulging in healthy recreation are quite compatible with a due observance of the Lord's day, and also the Protestant Church throughout Germany and Scandinavia follows tho same rule. In these countries such practices are not only allowed, but encouraged by the laws of the State. I believe it is only by a few fragments of the Christian Church in connection with England and Scotland that men are expected (and forced) to grind their bones all the week, and put on sackcloth and ashes on the seventh. If your correspondent wishes us to fall back on the Jewish Sabbath let him read in the XXXT. chapter of Exodus, 2nd and 3rd verses, and find if he ever kept a Sabbath in his life. Your correspondent's letter has had the I desired effect : the police have put on a short I 6top and turned us out. — I am, &c. One of the Cbicketebs. Waipori, November 25th, 1874.