An Embarrassing Inconsistency

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D.C. · Jul 23, 1908

An Embarrassing Inconsistency

THE outlook for a better observance of Sunday does not seem encouraging even to those who are making earnest efforts to secure such legislation as will require at least an outward appearance of regard for the day. This feeling finds expression in the following editorial note in a recent issue of the United Presbyterian:—

There are many most discouraging facts for those who favor a quiet, restful, reverent observance of the sabbath. These are not alone that the railroads are running excursion trains, and parks and other resorts are inviting and enticing excursionists, though these things are bad enough, and are doing untold and incalculable injury, especially among the young, in producing impiety and irreverence. Worse than these, however, are the practises of many Christians, not a few of them recognized as “leading,” who on the slightest pretext, and often with no reason at all but their own comfort or convenience, use the various forms of public conveyance on the sabbath to travel from one point to another. Ministers are not guiltless in this matter. Agents of boards, and even editors, will travel many miles on sabbath, in order merely to be at a desired point Monday morning. It certainly dulls the edge of remonstrance and protest when such flagrant inconsistencies can be easily pointed to by any corporation or civil officer.

It certainly seems inconsistent to ask for a civil law requiring non-Christians to treat Sunday as a holy day, if those who profess to believe that the law of God requires the observance of the day as a sabbath themselves treat it as a common day. The simple fact is that the people are learning that there is no divine authority for Sunday-keeping, and this has its effect upon their conduct.