SABBATH DESECRATION.

Tuapeka Times, Volume VII, Issue 418, 19 December 1874, Page 3

SABBATH DESECRATION.

{To the Editor. Sib, — Your correspondent, Dugald Ferguson, has very neatly disposed of all the •infol people who play cricket, ride or drive, Ac., on toe Sabbath, and looking from his point of view at what I thought were innocent recreations and amusements, I must confess that my ideas of Sabbath observance are indeed simple, 90 simple that they are beyond the ken of the most liberal (to all who run in the same narrow grove as them- j selves) of the class Mr. D. Ferguson represents. And so " some great man has said that comparisons are odious," is it possible ? Now that Mr. D. Ferguson has informed us how he would like to see the Sabbath observed, I must tell him that I in common with thousands more wcmld rather see boating, cricketing, riding, driving, excursion trains, free access to public libraries, museums, &c., walking or running in gardens, fields, woods, and sheltered .nooks, see bright and happy smiles, hear the pattering of little feet, and the splashing of pebbles thrown by young hands in streams and soft murmuring brooks, than a congregation, or one of the solemn and dolefulkcountenanceß that D. F. would have us put on on the Sabbath, the very sight of which would stop the joyous chirping of birds, for even they rejoice on that day. I by no means blame D. F. if he chooses to banish from his " Christian countenance any appearance of hilarity or cheerfulness," it may Buit his temperament and correspond to the light in which ha interprets the duties and f forms to be observed. My idea, still simple no doubt, is that Sunday or Sabbath is a day of rest from the ordinary labors of the week, which should be spent as much as possible in the open air, more especially by those who are so employed that they get little or no exercise during the week, enjoying all things made by our Creator both animate and inani- . mate, and glorying in the wonaerful works of nature,, for has not some other great man said : " and this our life exempt from public haunt, finds tongues in trees, books in running brooks, sermons in stones, and good in everything." Mr. D. Ferguson expresses astonishment at seeing intelligent men trying to abolish old forms and prejudices, and substituting broader and more liberal ones in their Btead ; had it not been for intelligent and fearless men we would still have the Inquisition with all its arts of torture, and burnings, and persecution, for all who did not see as we see, or do as we would wish them. But Oh ! most fortunate Dugald, many will envy you your long account and heavy balance in favour of your soul, which you can hardly overdraw in this life, for the self-denial you practice in not wanting to relax your limbs, after working for six days in the open air at an occupation that affords plenty of exercise, in a game, of cricket ot apleasviTetTip on the " seventh." D. F. has evidently mistaken his day. Christians do not reverence the seventh day, the one appointed by Godj let him refer to Genesis, .chapter 11,, and 13th verse. -I am, &c, Joseph Cox, One of the Cricketers.