p. 8 | SOME RELIGIOUS STRAWS

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Jan 7, 1897

SOME RELIGIOUS STRAWS.

Sunday Laws.

The past week was an interesting one in religious circles in this part of southern California. A district meeting of the Y. P. S. C. E. was held in this city with a good attendance of delegates. Among other topics discussed were the prominent ones of “Christian Citizenship” and the desecration of the “American Sabbath.” Remedies were prescribed, especially for the latter institution, viz., more stringent laws and the putting of men in office who will see that these laws are enforced.

Condition of Religion and Society.

On Thanksgiving day a union service was held in the Presbyterian Church, which was listened to by a very large audience. An unusual interest was created by the fact that the speaker of the day, Rev. H. W. Lathe, Cong., had sent letters to about sixty of the citizens of Pasadena to assist in the preparation of his sermon, which had for its subject, “The True Welfare of Our City,” taking for his text Acts 21:39, “A citizen of no mean city.” The questions propounded were: (1) What part, if any, should Christian people take in the political affairs of the city? (2) What special evils threaten our young men, and what are the remedies? (3) What hindrances or deficiencies within the church prevent its highest usefulness in the community? (4) If you were able to secure two great benefits for Pasadena, what would they be?

The speaker stated that from the hearty responses received from these citizens he was convinced that a very vital, thoughtful, and resolute public spirit existed abroad in our city. All were agreed on the fact that the first obligation of the citizen was to secure good government. Every one says (many with great earnestness) that Christian citizens should take a leading part in the administration of public affairs. He quoted as follows from the letters:—

“Christians should govern the city.”

“Mix religion with politics.”

“Let ministers take the lead.”

“Put only righteous men in office.”

“Christians can control public affairs if they will.”

A number insist that Christian men should attend the primaries, and caucuses; others call attention to the necessity of carrying the Golden Rule, and a Christian spirit and conscience, into political activity, with prayer for guidance.

Among a list of dangers which threaten young men the following are named: Home influences neglected; too much amusement; low standards of morality; cardplaying; dancing; theaters; Theosophy; Spiritualism; materialism; profanity; bad pictures, especially indecent posters; tobacco, especially cigarettes; Sabbath-day desecration, especially bicycling; evil conversation; evil associates; the saloon and intoxicating drinks. Institutions were named which the writers would desire to see fostered.

Referring to the church, all the correspondence say that there is worldliness, timidity before evil, unreality, dissensions, indifference to the poor and strangers, lack of unity and of spirituality and of Christ-likeness and of consecration, uncharitableness, selfishness and hypocrisy, formality, too much dress and too little missionary work, not enough of faith, failure to bear witness, and the like.

Paul reproved the early church faithfully and tenderly for these very evils. One writer says wisely that we have too much organization, too little unorganized liberty; another, that there are too many religious spectators; another, too much greed; another, too expensive churches; another, neglect of church officials to attend the church; another, ignoring wage earners; another, a last generation conscience, which is afraid of contact with the world.

The speaker asked the question, Is there not much inconsistency in the lives of Christians? and questioned whether much could be accomplished by preaching a gospel of good works. For his part, he had given up exhorting unconsecrated Christians to lead good lives. We must get Christians consecrated before their lives can show consecration. So long as the church says, “I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing,” and knows not that she is “miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked,” there is no hope for her.

Referring to the “American Sabbath,” he mentioned what may be termed “pet desecrations.” Man needs the holy day to rest. He needs it to rest his body, soul, and spirit. The iron on our railroads needs it. The wheels on our bicycles and carriages need it, as well as the ledgers in our stores, and the tools on our ranch. “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.” When was that law ever abrogated? If it is not binding on us to-day, prove that any of the Ten Commandments are binding! It was a pity that any post office in the land should be open on the first day of the week, and a greater pity that Christian men should get their mail and fill their minds with secular business on the Lord’s day. Pasadena has been called the “Model City,” yet there was in his opinion room for improvement in this respect; he would have less traffic on our streets on Sunday and shut up the cigar stands.

In closing, the speaker suggested that we need a day of fasting and prayer—several days. We are not so fully as we should be a peculiar people, separate from the world. We are conspicuously exposed to the allurements of mammon, and we yield to the suction of the worldliness which whirls about us. He expressed the hope that if the great revival which was expected in this country the coming winter, which indicated a special outpouring of the Spirit, should come to this city, our streets would be filled with temperance and brotherly love, and on the bells of the horses would be written “holiness unto the Lord;” and the church of Christ, bought with his blood, his bride and his joy, would arise and shine with the glory of the Lord upon her.