“JESUS still commands His disciples to ‘gather up the fragments.’ There is a thousand times more energy going to waste in the church than is used. He who can gather up these fragments of unused energy in the church is doing true home mission work.”
Overland Limited
Chicago 68 Hours
Electric Lighted Equipment
World's Events Telegraphed, Train Daily
Unexcelled Dining Service
Observation---Parlor---Cafe Cars
Drawing-room---Stateroom Sleepers
Through without Change
Across Great Salt Lake and High Sierra
by Daylight
Fastest Time---Most Direct Route
VIA
Southern Pacific
NEW YORK AND PHILADELPHIA, VIA NIAGARA FALLS.
An attractive way is via the Grand Trunk-Lehigh Valley Route; double track; solid trains. Write Geo. W. Vaux, A. G. P. & T. A., Grand Trunk Railway System, 135 Adams Street, Chicago, for particulars.
Personally Conducted
Tourist Cars
ON THE
UNION PACIFIC
Operate daily between principal Eastern points and California. The route of the Overland Limited.
S. F. BOOTH, General Agent,
San Francisco, Cal.
E. L. LOMAX, G. P. A.
Omaha, Neb.
Wanted: Educated SDA Helpers
FERRY'S Seeds prove their worth at harvest time. After over fifty years of success, they are pronounced the best and surest by careful planters everywhere. Your dealer sells them. 1907 Seed Annual free on request. D. M. FERRY & CO., Detroit, Mich.
WANTED.—Educated, zealous, self-supporting S. D. A. helpers; musical, linguist, canvassing evangelist, gospel wagon, open air work; German preferred. Write L. J. Caldwell, Arvada, Colo.
Bank of Mountain View
By Editor
If you haven't already done so, why don't you drop us a postal asking us to send you a copy of our monthly paper, "The Bank of Mountain View Journal." It is very interesting. It is full of good ideas, and it is free to you for the asking. If you live in the East, send for a copy and see how we do it in California. We still hold ourselves ready to furnish you with information about Mountain View. Write us.
Address
Bank of Mountain View
Mountain View, Santa Clara County, California
Send for a sample copy of OUR LITTLE FRIEND, Mountain View, Cal.
DONATIONS TO OUR REBUILDING FUND.
By Editor
(To December 21)
Previously reported ......................$3,806.64
Mrs. E. J. Johnson ......................... 10.00
Frank Yoeman ............................... 10.00
J. R. Douglas ............................... 5.00
Minnie M. Jordan ............................. .25
W. W. January ................................ .50
L. J. Davis ................................. 3.00
Mrs. S. A. Condon ........................... 5.00
James Harvey ................................ 2.25
Mrs. J. A. Alexander ........................ 1.00
L. N. Whisby ............................... 10.00
Ceres Sabbath-school ........................ 2.50
Mrs. W. P. Allen ............................ 5.00
M. E. S. ..................................... .7513
New Zealand Society ......................$132.46
S. W. Carr .................................. 4.86
A friend S. D. ............................. 10.00
Margaret Osterhout .......................... 1.00
M. Critchlow ................................ 2.00
Mrs. J. M. Ings ........................... 200.00
Mrs. L. Ava Mitchell ........................ 2.00
Mrs. R. J. Colvin ........................... 1.00
James Cramer and wife ..................... 100.00
Mrs. A. T. Stickney ........................ 20.00
Mrs. D. J. Boscomb .......................... 1.00
F. D. Starr ................................. 6.75
A. F. Haines ............................... 12.00
James A. Dye ............................... 10.00
Henry Thackery ............................. 30.00
N. P. Union Conference ..................... 11.75
Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Wallace .................. 25.00
Roy Clark .................................... .20
Ray Clark .................................... .20
Ora, 20 cts—Lynn, 10 cts—Floyd, 10 cts ...... .40
Walter Jones ................................. .10
C. A. Carey ................................. 3.00
Mt. View Church Collection .................. 3.00
Mrs. A. C. Walden ........................... 5.00
A friend, per T. H. P. ...................... 5.00
Mr. and Mrs. D. L. Couey ................... 10.00
Malena, Oleva, and Lewis Olson ............... .50
E. M. Smith ................................. 1.00
Nellie Wagner ................................ .25
Caroline Barlowe ............................. .50
Marie Barlowe ................................ .50
John Bradley ................................ 1.50
Lewis Lowe ................................... .50
Nancy Morton ................................. .25
Hilda Altman ................................. .25
"Worker" .................................... 2.25
Fred Stohl ................................. 10.00
W. B. James ................................. 2.70
Mrs. M. E. Erbe ............................. 2.00
Mrs. L. B. Miller ........................... 8.00
Peter Hessellund ........................... 10.00
Mrs. Electa Miller ........................... .80
G. Reitz .................................... 4.00
A sister .................................... 1.00
Sanitarium Church ........................... 5.00
W. W. Garrahan ............................. 10.00
Mrs. L. Grainger ........................... 25.00
Alameda Church .............................. 1.00
C. W. Peter ................................ 20.00
W. H. Oakes ................................. 1.00
Mrs. Hazelton ............................... 5.00
Lela Hazelton ............................... 5.00
C. E. Chappell .............................. 1.75
R. Rose and family ......................... 10.00
Mrs. M. Bostick ............................. 3.00
L. S. Lauritsen ............................. 1.00
A. H. Schwachenberg ......................... 1.00
C. A. Cary ................................. 10.00
Luman A. Ferris ............................. 2.00
Mrs. Alice Paige ............................ 5.00
A sister in the truth ...................... 10.00
G. Reitz .................................... 2.00
A friend in the Orient ..................... 18.56
H. G. Leffingwell ........................... 3.50
Mrs. Vada Roberts ........................... 3.00
Mrs. S. Norton .............................. 1.50
J. M. Cartwright ............................ 8.00
A. C. Clawges ............................... 5.00
Mrs. J. S. Myers ............................ 5.00
A PLEA FOR THE SIGHTLESS.
By Editor
THERE are indeed few greater misfortunes than that of blindness. To have shut out from the mind all the beautiful works of nature, the faces of our friends, the glorious privilege of seeing the stars by night and the sun by day, is a calamity which only those who suffer from it can rightly appreciate. Often he loses the friends with whom he is wont to associate; their paths lie in different directions, and they neglect him or entirely forget him. They do not seem to think that he needs their sympathy and encouragement more than ever before.
Thus neglected, some one may help him, or he may be left to depend on public charity, separated from former friends. Instead of pleasure and light and color, he finds everywhere only the inky blackness of midnight. If he has learned to read the embossed books furnished for the blind, he may not be able to purchase them on account of their cost. For instance, the bare cost of producing the Bible, which makes eleven volumes, is $21.00. Two-thirds of this the government generously pays, and yet this leaves seven dollars as the cost of a Bible, a sum which poor persons rarely pay. Yet above all other things, it would seem that the blind need the message of the Gospel, and they are crying out for it everywhere. Surely the very hunger of the blind for companionship and instruction ought to make it an inviting Gospel field.
Our work is to give the blind the Gospel message. For this purpose we have been called out of darkness into marvelous light. The Saviour said, "Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature." That Gospel brings to the soul, parched and thirsty and ready to perish, the water of life from the springs of life; and the individual who drinks deep at the fountain of life is refreshed, and fitted to revive those with whom he may associate. There are souls perishing to-day who know nothing of the wonderful peace which comes to those who abide in Christ.
"Peace, peace, wonderful peace,
Coming down from the Father above;
Sweep over my spirit forever, I pray,
In fathomless billows of love."
Christ spoke the parable of the great supper to illustrate the giving of the third angel's message to the world at this time. "A certain man," said He, "made a great supper, and bade many; and sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready. And they all with one consent began to make excuse. . . . So that servant came, and showed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind."
The Master is now saying, "Bring in hither the poor and the maimed and the halt and the blind." We are His servants, and this call comes to us to bring them in. But you may ask, "How shall we explain to the blind the invitation, 'Come, for all things are now ready'?" As the truth of God has come to many of us through message-filled literature, should not the blind receive it in the same way? In His providence God has provided a way whereby those who can not see may read through their sensitive fingers. It is estimated that there are not less than two hundred thousand blind persons in this country and Canada. I appeal to you in behalf of these precious souls to consider their need. We can point them to the Lamb of God by placing a copy of the Christian Record in their hands. It is printed in the two leading systems used by the blind in this country, the New York Point and the American Braille.
The Christian Record was established six years ago, and has increased from seventy-five copies to nearly a thousand. Hard has been the struggle of those who have had the responsibility, but their desire to see the great Threefold Message go to their fellows in like affliction has led these workers, who are also blind, to labor on.
The blind would gladly pay the subscription price of the paper if they had the money, but the majority of them have no way to earn money. The bare cost of producing the paper for the blind is much greater than ordinary printing for those who see. The subscription of two dollars a year barely covers the cost of producing the thirty-two-page journal monthly for a year. How many are there who would give at least the price of a subscription for this needy work? Of course, from those who can not afford so much as this, we will gladly receive smaller sums. All donations should be sent to Miss Katie Coleman, Secretary of the Christian Record, College View, Neb.
L. N. MUCK, Editor.
LORD, SPEAK TO ME.
By Frances Ridley Havergal
LORD, speak to me, that I may speak
In living echoes of Thy tone;
As Thou hast sought, so let me seek
Thy erring children, lost and lone.
O lead me, Lord, that I may lead
The wandering and the wavering feet;
O feed me, Lord, that I may feed
Thy hungering ones with manna sweet.
O strengthen me, that while I stand
Firm on the rock, and strong in Thee,
I may stretch out a loving hand
To wrestlers with the troubled sea.
O teach me, Lord, that I may teach
The precious things Thou dost impart;
And wing my words, that they may reach
The hidden depths of many a heart.
O use me, Lord, use even me
Just as Thou wilt, and when, and where,
Until Thy blessed face I see,
Thy rest, Thy joy, Thy glory share.
—Frances Ridley Havergal.
HE IS RISEN.
By W. H. Mills
I WAS standing before the window of an art store where a picture of the crucifixion of our Lord was on exhibition; as I gazed I was conscious of the approach of another, and turning, beheld a little lad gazing intently at the picture also. Noticing that this mite of humanity was a sort of street Arab, I thought I would speak to him; so I asked, pointing to the picture, "Do you know who it is?" "Yes," came the quick response, "That's our Saviour," with a mingled look of pity and surprise that I should not know.
With an evident desire to enlighten me further, he continued, after a pause, "Them's the soldiers, the Roman soldiers," and, with a long-drawn sigh, "That woman crying there is His mother." He waited apparently for me to question him further, thrust his hands into his pockets, and with a reverent and subdued voice, added, "They killed Him, Mister. Yes, sir, they killed Him!" I looked at the little ragged fellow and asked, "Where did you learn this?" He replied, "At the Mission Sunday-school."
Full of thought regarding the benefits of Mission Sunday-schools, I turned away and resumed my walk, leaving the little lad looking at the picture. I had not walked a block when I heard his childish treble calling, "Mister! Say, mister!" I turned. He was running toward me, but paused; then up went his little hand, and with triumphant sound in voice he said, "I wanted to tell you He rose again! Yes, mister, He rose again." —W. H. Mills, in the Presbyterian Record.
OUR INDIA MISSION.
By Editor
THIS fund is for the purpose of establishing a mission in the hill country of India, away from the hot, pestilent lowlands of the coast region. Very few, indeed, are the Europeans or Americans who can withstand continual residence in the lowland districts. They labor there and die. When this mission is established among the hill tribes, it will effect a twofold object; it will give the missionaries a place to flee when rest is demanded, and enable them at the same time to work among the thousands of the hardier hill men.
Previously reported ......................$3,094.37
Warren Manst ............................. 1.00
Lura Mack ................................ .25
Ellehn Ferris ............................ 5.00
Mt. Tabor Church ......................... 25.00
L. N. Whisby ............................. 5.00
John Raid ................................ 20.75
Ella Forbes .............................. 14.13
Total to December 6 .....................$3,165.50
OUR WORK AND WORKERS.
By Editor
Two of sister Jennie DeYoung's readers in Grand Rapids, Mich., have commenced to keep the Sabbath.
Two NORWEGIAN brethren were recently baptized in the Niobrara River, in Nebraska, by Brother L. Johnson.
SEVEN new members have been added to the church at Pomona, Cal., through the labors of Brethren Hare and Whitehead.
EVIDENTLY our brethren in the field believe in the SIGNS OF THE TIMES. From October 15 to December 1 the subscription list advanced 3,500 copies.
THE First Day offerings in the Southern England Conference are devoted to the work in East Africa. For one quarter, Brother J. D. Baker writes that it amounted to $233.
BROTHER C. E. RENTFRO reports six converts in Portugal. His work is of course much hampered there by the Catholic authorities, but the message is going.
ABOUT twenty-five are keeping the Sabbath in Huntingburg, Ind., as a result of the labors of Brethren J. F. Steele and F. M. Roberts. Brother Roberts baptized six at Kokomo, who were taught the truth by Brother J. M. Rees during the summer.
ON Sabbath, November 24, Brother Burkholder organized the first Seventh-day Adventist Church in Zanesville, Ohio, with a membership of eleven, six of whom had been baptized the previous Sabbath. Nine of the charter members were new converts.
A PAPER FOR DANISH-SPEAKING PEOPLE.—The International Publishing Association, College View, Neb., has just issued a special number of the Evangeliets Sendebud, a signs-of-the-times number exceptionally well illustrated and well written. The articles cover points of Bible doctrine, prophecy, present-day conditions, etc., and will be found an excellent means of presenting these things to the Danish people in the United States. The subscription price is $1.25 a year. This number sells for five cents a copy. Address Evangeliets Sendebud, College View, Neb.
A LITTLE sheet from the Oakwood School, Huntsville, Ala., tells us that real progress is being made, notwithstanding the fire of October 11. The insurance was paid in full, giving them sufficient funds to begin building again. Five new buildings will be erected, a manual arts building, study hall, and a boys' dormitory. These will include shops, chapel, reception rooms, library, offices, and preceptor's department, as well as twenty individual rooms. Bath and treatment rooms will also be built, and dining-room and kitchen. An appeal is made to interest young colored students to enter that training school. Classes will be conducted in carpentry, blacksmithing, agriculture, horticulture, dairying, poultry-keeping, bee culture, cooking, plain sewing, dressmaking, and shoe repairing. All necessary information will be given on applying to Oakwood School, Huntsville, Ala.
THE HOUR DRAWS NEAR.
By John Greenleaf Whittier
THE hour draws near, howe'er delayed and late,
When at the Eternal Gate
We leave the words and works we call our own,
And lift void hands alone
For love to fill. Our nakedness of soul
Brings to that gate no toll;
Giftless we come to Him who all things gives,
And live because He lives.
—J. G. Whittier.
Our Little Friend New Year's Offer
By Editor
"OUR LITTLE FRIEND" makes a good offer with its New Year's issue to its little readers. See the second page of its bright cover.
WANTED FOR MISSIONARY WORK.
By Editor
LATE, clean copies of all our denominational literature. Address W. A. Erb, Box 81, Silver Creek, New York.
CLEAN copies of our denominational literature, for use in Canadian trading-posts. Address Earl Emmons, Box 428, Edmonton, Alberta, Can.
SIGNS, Reviews, and tracts are desired for free distribution by Ruth Wightman, No. 28 State St., Watertown, N. Y.
CONTINUOUS supply of SIGNS and other denominational literature for city distribution, by James Harvey, 763 Jackson St., Oakland, Cal.
NOTICE OF THE ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS OF THE PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING COMPANY.
NOTICE is hereby given to all whom it may concern that the annual meeting of the stockholders of the Pacific Press Publishing Company, a corporation organized and existing under, and by virtue of, the laws of the State of California, will be held at the office of the company on Villa Street, in the town of Mountain View, County of Santa Clara, State of California, on Monday, the 28th day of January, A.D. 1907, at 9:30 o'clock, A.M.
The election of the directors for the ensuing year, the advisability of amending, repealing, or adopting new by-laws, and such other business as may be necessary or proper to be transacted will come before the meeting.
By order of the directors.
H. W. COTTRELL, President,
H. G. CHILDS, Secretary.
ANNUAL MEETING OF THE CALIFORNIA CONFERENCE ASSOCIATION.
THE eleventh annual meeting of the California Conference Association of Seventh-day Adventists will be held in connection with the thirty-sixth annual session of the California Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, at San Jose, Cal., January 25 to 29, 1907, for the purpose of electing a board of seven directors, and transacting any other business that may properly come before the meeting.
W. T. KNOX, President,
T. A. KILGORE, Secretary.
ANNUAL MEETING OF THE CALIFORNIA-NEVADA CONFERENCE.
THE thirty-sixth annual meeting of the California-Nevada Conference of Seventh-day Adventists will convene at San Jose, Cal., January 25, 7:30 P.M., at their church near the corner of Colfax and Delmas Ave., continuing until January 29, 1907.
Each church should at once elect their delegates at the ratio of one delegate for the church and an additional one for every twenty members.
A full delegation at this session is earnestly desired.
W. T. KNOX, President,
E. A. CHAPMAN, Secretary.
ANNUAL MEETING OF THE PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING ASSOCIATION.
THE third annual meeting of the members of the Pacific Press Publishing Association will be held at the office of the Pacific Press Publishing Company in Mountain View, Cal., Monday, Jan. 21, 1907, at 11 o'clock A.M.
This meeting is called for the purpose of electing a board of seven (7) directors, and transacting such other business as may properly and legally come before the meeting.
M. C. WILCOX, President.
E. A. CHAPMAN, Secretary.
SUNDAY MOVEMENT IN ENGLAND.
By John D. Bradley
A "NEW national movement in favor of Sunday observance," which appears to be somewhat formidable, is on in England, and "received great support at a meeting of citizens" held at the Mansion House in London under the presidency of the Lord Mayor, on October 29. This meeting showed that the movement has the support, not only of the Anglican, Roman Catholic, Evangelical, and even Jewish clergy, as also many prominent public men, and prominent representatives of trades-unionism. Resolutions were unanimously adopted, declaring it "essential to the moral, industrial, and physical well-being of the nation to preserve one day in seven as a day of worship and rest," and demanding that the bill for the SUNDAY CLOSING OF SHOPS, which failed of passage at the last session of Parliament, "BE INTRODUCED AND PASSED BY HIS MAJESTY'S GOVERNMENT AT THE NEXT SESSION OF PARLIAMENT."
A document giving "a short account of the movement" that was circulated at the meeting "showed that, in pursuance of the resolutions of the Caxton-hall conference of last May, steps have been taken to organize a general movement throughout the country on behalf of the Christian Sunday about March 10-17, 1907." [The caps are supplied to emphasize some features.]
Prominent Men in the Movement.
"The gathering, which was convened by the Sunday Law Movement Council was well attended, and among those supporting the Lord Mayor were the Archbishop of York, the Bishops of Southwark and Stepney, the Rev. Father Bernard Vaughan, the Earl of Stanford, Lord Avebury, Sir John Kennaury, M. P., Sir J. Dorrington, Mr. Samuel Hope Mosley, Mr. F. A. Bevan, Sir C. Ernest Tritton, the Rev. B. F. Meyer, the Rev. Prebendary Carlisle, and others. Among others present in addition to the speakers were the Bishop of Hereford, Bishop Taylor Smith, Chaplain General of the Forces, the Bishop of St. Andrews, Lord Stanford, the Dean of Hereford, Chancellor P. V. Smith, the Rev. T. Law, secretary of the National Free Church Council, and Mr. G. W. E. Russell. Letters of sympathy for the movement were received from the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Rev. J. Scott Lidgett, president of the Free Church Council, the Chief Rabbi, Dr. Adler, Archbishop Bourne, the Roman Catholic Bishop of Southwark, Dr. Horton, Dr. Munro Gibson, Dr. Campbell Morgan, the Rev. R. J. Campbell, the Rev. C. Kelly, the Rev. Thomas Spurgeon, the Rev. Sylvester Horne, the Rev. T. Phillips, the Wesleyan Sunday School Union, representing over a million children, the Prime Minister, the Lord Chief Justice, the Marquis of Salisbury, the Dukes of Argyll and Norfolk, Lord Tweedmouth, Lord Kelvin, Lord Roberts, Lord Ripon, Lord Landsdowne, Mr. Bryce, M. P., Mr. Herbert Gladstone, M. P., Mr. Keir Hardie, M. P., and the whole bench of bishops, Mr. Lloyd-George, numerous provincial mayors, the head masters of public schools, and many well-known city men.
"The Lord Mayor read a telegram from Lord Aberdeen 'declaring that the cause of Sunday observance was worthy of all support on the grounds of religion, patriotism, and humanity.' In his letter the Archbishop of Canterbury bade 'Godspeed to the endeavor to set forward and keep forward the great cause we have at heart,' and declared that 'few things affect more closely the welfare of England.' Rev. J. Scott Lidgett, president of the Free Church Council, wrote promising any help the council could give, and hoping that public attention would be awakened to the urgency of the question. The Chief Rabbi wrote that he would naturally have wished to see the seventh rather than the first day of the week recognized, but he was glad Christians were agreed as to the inestimable advantages resulting from one weekly day of rest."
The chairman of the Sunday Law Movement, Mr. T. Kingscote, moved: "That it is essential to the moral, industrial, and physical well-being of the nation to preserve ONE DAY IN SEVEN AS A DAY OF WORSHIP and rest—to which every man is, BY DIVINE LAW and by human necessity, justly entitled; and therefore this meeting heartily welcomes the proposal for simultaneous endeavor to recall to the nation the true ideals, privileges, and obligations of the Christian Sunday, as a unique and permanent safeguard of religion, and of social and domestic prosperity, and to warn the people of the Empire of the perils that threaten their highest interests from its increasing disregard and secularization." He hoped that next Lent there would be a mission in favor of the better observance of Sunday in every parish in the country.
The English Sunday and the Clergy.
"In seconding the motion, the Bishop of Stepney said there was no need of argument but great need of combined effort to preserve THE ENGLISH SUNDAY, which was in imminent danger of vanishing. THE CLERGY THEMSELVES COULD NOT SPEAK WITH QUITE A CLEAR CONSCIENCE, FOR MOST OF THEM KNOWN TO HIM WORKED SEVEN DAYS A WEEK. The laymen who had initiated the movement did not discuss the nature or extent of the obligation of the fourth commandment, but took their stand on the broad, non-controversial ground of a universal human need, not making appeal to theological sanctions. The movement aimed at securing for every class at least one day in seven for recreation and recollection. Cheers followed these remarks.
"Father Bernard Vaughan, who supported the motion, said that the CHRISTIAN SUNDAY WAS SET APART FOR THE WORSHIP OF GOD [by whom?] and for rest from servile work, and the extent to which this had been forgotten was almost a national calamity [one report was that he said "the present state of Sunday amounted almost to a national calamity"] They were told that eighty per cent. of the population of this mammoth metropolis went nowhere to worship God on Sundays, and he believed that if they were to eliminate the children and those who went twice a day from that list they would find that ABOUT TEN PER CENT. WENT TO WORSHIP GOD ON SUNDAY. What was the cause of this terrible change? Was it that they were swinging to agnosticism? He hoped to God it was not so. There was a fever of unrest, a hungry thirst for excitement, as the Sunday came round, and 'week-ends' had become a part of the British Constitution. It was not the going away and the going to the country on Sunday that he complained of, but the making of that day so busy that there was no time to worship God. People had a right to go to the country, but not to go away from God, nor to keep their servants away from God. IT WAS SHOCKING TO THINK OF THE STATE OF THINGS EXISTING AMONG THE SOCALLED15UPPER CLASSES. The proposed revival might be a good thing, but if the people had true religion they would not need to be told to go to church. It would be a good thing if business men paid their wages on Fridays at noon; it would almost solve the problem they were discussing. On Saturday nights even the children did not get to bed till 1 a. m. There was too much room in the churches. Within a radius of one square mile from where he was speaking SIXTY CHURCHES HAD BEEN PULLED DOWN, AND MANY LEFT WERE VERY LITTLE USED. A united and practical effort should now be made TO MAKE GOD ALMIGHTY DOMINANT IN OUR COUNTRY.
"Mr. Frederick Rogers, secretary of the National Committee of Organized Labor, said there had been a great increase of Sunday work in the last twenty years. Hundreds of railway men bitterly hated the necessity of Sunday work now imposed upon them. He knew of a signalman who only got on an average one Sunday in four, working twenty-one days right off.
"The resolution was adopted unanimously, and Lord Avebury [who is fathering the Sunday closing bill for shops in the House of Lords and seems to be the member of the English Parliament most interested in Sunday legislation] then moved: 'That this meeting rejoices that the House of Lords' Committee of 1905, and the Joint Committee of both Houses in 1906, in each case unanimously recommended the passage of a measure for the Sunday-closing of shops (with such exceptions as circumstances may render necessary), and trusts that the Shops Sunday Closing Bill, which is supported by over 350 shopkeepers' associations in all parts of the country, will be introduced and passed by his Majesty's Government at the next session of Parliament.
A Matter of Business.
"He sketched the history of the bill in the House of Lords, and said that it had been introduced at the request of the whole shopkeeping community. At present, if a new man, generally a foreigner, came to a town and opened his shop on Sunday, the other shopkeepers felt that they would lose their business unless they opened too. He was sure that the majority of sixteen which defeated the bill did not represent the real opinion of the House of Lords. The shopkeepers were supported by the trades-unions, showing that working men would not be so seriously inconvenienced by the bill. The great Sunday markets, which it was said would be injured, were now breaking the law and taking the bread out of the mouths of shopkeepers who kept the law.
"In seconding the resolution, Mr. J. G. Talbot, M. P., said it would require a good deal of impetus if the bill was to be placed on the statute book. It was a reproach to England that she should be driven by the example of France to do what had been the boast of England for many generations.
An Unbiblical Day a Common Ground!
"Speaking for the Free Churches, the Rev. F. B. Meyer said they would take no second place in enthusiasm or resolution on behalf of Sunday observance. IN THESE DAYS OF DISUNION THEY WERE THE MORE ANXIOUS TO DISCOVER SUCH COMMON GROUND AS THIS, ON WHICH THEY COULD STAND TOGETHER WITH THE ESTABLISHED CHURCH. If they laid less stress on the religious than on the ethical, physical, and moral aspects of the question, it was only because they were afraid of trying to force Sabbatarianism on their fellow countrymen. The word 'Sabbath' was a difficulty; they did not believe in the Sabbath. 'Lord's Day' savored of cant; 'First Day' was pedantic, and 'Sunday' came from a heathen festival; but the use of the word 'Rest-day' would remove such difficulty."
Yes, the use of the word "Rest-day" will remove such difficulty if its use removes entirely the religious and theological character of the matter; otherwise it will not, and the classic query will be pertinent, "What's in a name? would not a rose by any other name smell as sweet?" THE RELIGIOUS AND THEOLOGICAL SABBATH BY ANY OTHER NAME WILL BE THE SAME, and its enforcement under any other name will be as odious as the enforcement of "Sabbatarianism," for it will be the same thing. It is not probable that the sentiment and motives of clergymen of the type of Dr. Meyer in this matter will be much different when the term "Rest-day" is used from what they are when "Sabbath" and "Lord's Day" are used, and until they are, there will not be much removal of difficulty so far as the fear of their "trying to force Sabbatarianism on their fellow countrymen" is concerned. Rev. Meyer realizes right where the difficulty is, but he will have to do more than invent a new term to remove it. It is not by laying "less stress on the religious than on the ethical, physical, and moral aspects of the question," that the difficulty can be removed, but by ceasing to have any religious aspects to the question.
It seems that one of the devices employed in behalf of Sunday Sabbatarianism in the United States obtains in England also. The way in which the support of "over a million children" is given to the movement recalls the way in which the Sunday closing of the World's Fair by Congress secured the support of not only every human inhabitant of several of our states, but that of the animals and fishes as well. Doubtless all those "over a million children" are much wrought up over the Sunday movement in England, and are eager for the joys of that most galling and unnatural of all impositions upon childhood—the dogmatic Sabbath.
