The Archbishop on Sunday Observance
MUCH interest has been taken in a letter written by the Archbishop of Canterbury, in reply to a correspondent who called his attention to the fact that Mr. Balfour played golf on Sundays. The archbishop's secretary writes:— “Detailed rules to be adopted by any conscientious Christian man with regard to the observance of Sunday, are, in the archbishop’s judgment, a matter for his own conscience, as it is certain that the Christian church has never laid down detailed directions affecting the action of individuals in this matter. “Each of them is responsible to God for so using the Lord’s day as to fit him best for the working days that follow.” The Daily News interviewed a number of prominent ministers, and gives their opinions on the subject, but it is noticeable that not one of the replies makes any reference to the Scriptures. The reason is obvious to the Bible student. There is not a hint in the Bible of Sunday sacredness. This being so, it is a perversion of Bible language to apply the terms “Lord’s day” and “Sabbath” to the first day of the week. From the creation until now, the only day which the Lord calls his day is the seventh day of the week, Saturday. Thousands of men and women in all parts of the world have turned from Sunday-keeping to Sabbath-keeping, as soon as they found that they had been following tradition with the multitude, instead of the Word of God. The Reformation is not ended yet. If there are those who admire the stand taken by the Reformers when they stepped out on the truth of God, and faced the consequences, there is still opportunity to follow their example. God has left a test for these days, to prove the devotion and faith of his people. Those who turn from the broad way of sin to walk in the narrow path of truth, who leave the observance of the ancient day of the sun, and return to the ancient Sabbath of Jehovah, are noted with approval in heaven. The enduring of this test prepares them for the coming of their Lord, and separates them from the world. Of them the words are said: “Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” Rev. 14: 12.—Present Truth.