THE CENTENNIAL SABBATH MUDDLE.
Bro. R. Thompson, of Philadelphia, sends the following items from the Evening Express, concerning which he says:— “I send you the following scraps, that you may see the muddle the Sunday-keepers are in about the Centennial and the so-called first-day Sabbath. I thought to have drawn out a reply to my stricture on the inconsistencies in their use of the words Sabbath and Sunday, but no response has been made. The secular and semi-religious press are very chary lest they should lose their patronage, and also condemn themselves. This, as well as the school question, is a question of the day; keep it well before the world. The Lord never was at a loss for instruments to proclaim his own message. Many are waiting for this truth who have never heard it yet. What a responsibility rests on us to publish it! I am glad that your printing-presses are at work. May the Master bless your endeavors in his own righteous cause.” “CENTENNIAL EXPOSITION AND SUNDAY.
“MESSRS. EDITORS: The question of keeping open the Centennial Exposition on Sunday is being again agitated, but apparently without result. The Centennial Commission disdain to enter into contest, silently abiding by their direction to close the doors on Sabbath, principally upon the ground that those in charge of the concern six days of the week need one day of rest as well as other mortals. It might be suggested, in addition, that were the Exposition open on Sunday the Commission would not only need upon his feet every man employed during the week, but a large additional force to maintain order and circulating room among the multitude of visitors recruited on Sunday from the classes who cannot spare a working day for that occasion. These classes are not only numerous, but respectable, and entitled to an equal consideration of their rights and wants. At the same time, their pecuniary circumstances would probably not permit them to indulge in the Centennial visit more than once or twice during the period of the Exposition, and in that case one or two Sundays per month would be sufficient for their accommodation. During the other Sundays the buildings may be closed, but the grounds left open to the public, as they now are, without requiring more than the usual force of special police. We suppose, of course, that, whether our suggestion is carried out or not in regard to the buildings, the Commission intends to leave at least the grounds open on the Sabbath, were it only to prevent the unusual throng who may happen to lie over Sunday in the city from seeking less reputable places and modes of amusement.” To the above Bro. T. replied as follows:— “MESSRS. EDITORS: My attention has been called to an article in your paper over the signature of ‘H. E.,’ entitled ‘Centennial Exposition and Sunday,’ in which the writer six times uses the name Sunday and twice Sabbath, as applied to the first day. It appears to me that there must be some mistake in such a loose way of writing before the world. In this age of inquiry and thought surely we ought to be more definite. We Protestants want to see Scripture for our faith, not tradition, but ‘thus saith the Lord!’ Now I would like to know where in the Bible the Sabbath of the fourth commandment is called by the heathen epithet Sunday. Also, where in the Bible is the first-day called Sabbath? Will your correspondent let us have more light on the subject? R. T.”