p. 110 | Doings at the Hub by M. Wood

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 1, 1875

Doings at the Hub.

By M. Wood

Doubtless many readers of the REVIEW are aware of the fact that even here in the puritanical city of Boston, there are those who have the audacity to transact their legitimate business on Sunday; much to the annoyance, though not to the disturbance, of their church-going neighbors.

One brother in particular, being engaged in a mercantile business and centrally located, appears to be a source of great trouble to our first-day keepers, for his shamefacedness in opening his place of business on the so-called Lord’s day, not only sinning himself, as they think, but causing others to willfully violate the Sabbath (Sunday).

Some months ago, twenty-five or more of professed Christians met at a private house in this neighborhood under the garb of a religious gathering, but in reality to devise ways and plans whereby to effectually prevent this Sunday-breaker from opening his store for the transaction of business, on what they call the Sabbath, although he in nowise interferes or meddles with their observance, creed, or doctrines.

But to show the inconsistency of some people, yes, and some of the very ones who were loud in their denunciations against Bro. — for no other offense than that of following the example set by Jehovah himself, viz., of commencing his business upon the first day of the week (Sunday), it is but proper to say that they will, when, separated from their clique, purchase their Sunday dinners on their first-day Sabbath. Even while on their way to meeting, they will enter a side door, leave their orders, and pass out another way, after strictly charging the proprietor not to drive his

team in front of their house to deliver the goods, exulting over the idea of not being observed by their brethren.

Even the ministers themselves are guilty of this course. I have known one on a cold winter morning to go into the store in question, sit down by the register and carefully look over his written sermon before entering the meeting-house.

Some two weeks ago I was in this same store when a Universalist minister entered to make some purchases. It was not long before he opened his batteries upon the proprietor of the store, and commenced with these words: “If I had the power, I would have no more Sabbath [Sunday] breaking in this vicinity, but would drive you Judaizing Christians to the forests for shelter.” This expression brought forth an outburst of merriment from the bystanders. But when our clerical friend was quietly informed that this power so coveted would soon be his; that the image to the beast was now in process of formation, and would soon be fully developed; that all who would receive the mark of the beast (and Sunday-keeping must be that mark) must ultimately drink of the unmixed wrath of God; and that the message of Rev. 14, was a merciful warning sent out to prepare the people of God for the coming danger, it was too much for him, he became confused, excited, and declared that the prophecies of Daniel and Revelation were beyond our comprehension, and left the store slamming the door behind him; which brought the laugh on the other side of the house.

But during the night our friend had time for reflection, and having forgotten a portion of his errand to the store, he sent his son, a lad of twelve years, to complete his purchase of Sunday morning. Is this not a fulfillment of 2 Tim. 3:5?

M. Wood.

Boston, March 7, 1875.