p. 23 | Religious Notes

Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Jan 11, 1883

Religious Notes.

—The Metropolitan Temple in San Francisco, Mr. Kalloch's church, was used on the 8th inst., for a sparring exhibition, "all the local fraternity," i. e. all the first-class hoodlums, taking part. Still we are doubtful if the church was desecrated by the performance. That was done long ago.

—The Presbyterian Banner says that the working people throughout continental Europe are beginning to plead for deliverance from a secular Sunday. It says that a meeting of three thousand workmen was recently held in Vienna, at which a resolution was passed, protesting against Sunday work.

—Rev. Titus Coan died at Hilo, Sandwich Islands, Dec. 2, aged 82. Dr. Coan was a veteran and widely-known missionary of the American Board, and had been known for years as the apostle of the Sandwich Islands, having been there for over fifty years, and wielded a great influence with the people.

—It is not alone in Russia that the spirit of intolerance is exhibited against the Jews. Even in England, where Jews have ranked the highest, and have had the most liberty, they are beginning to feel that all is not good-will towards them. The Jewish Chronicle says: "A remarkable change has, during the past few years, come over the outer world in relation to Judaism. Where previously all was good-will towards Jews and all that was Jewish, one finds in many quarters a tendency to criticize every point that can by any means be regarded as open to criticism."

—The Pacific (Congregationalist) advises all the churches that have not already done so, to fall into line, and drop out of the Sunday list of churches. As a reason for so doing, it says: "The fourth commandment is still in the Bible, which we love and have solemnly promised to make our rule of faith and practice." We fear that in spite of its professed love for the fourth commandment, the Pacific has not read it lately, or else it has a mutilated copy of the Bible. There is evidently something wrong. The fourth commandment as it stands in King James' Version, which we use, does not condemn Sunday work; in fact, it says nothing about Sunday whatever, except as it is included in the six days in which work may be done.

—Although Dr. Kohler, as noticed on the next page, advises his Jewish brethren to make Sunday their day of worship instead of Saturday, he does not advocate a rigid observance of the day. He rather favors a California "rest and recreation" Sunday. He says: "Why should the workingman not be allowed to exchange the close air of the tenement house or factory for the fresh air of a garden, and enjoy the healthy exercise and mirthful pastime with his family and kindred? Why should hale and hearty youth refrain from invigorating sport on the Sabbath? On the contrary, having spent part of the day in solemn devotion, in prayer and song, man should for the rest of the day display all his social virtues to the best advantage."