Mayor Gaynor on the Sabbath

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jan 9, 1913

Mayor Gaynor on the Sabbath

TESTIMONY in reference to which day is the true Sabbath has come to us from a somewhat unexpected source. A woman living in New York City had written to Mayor Gaynor, of that city, twice in reference to "Sabbath observance," and to the second letter the mayor replies as follows, the reply being quoted in the New York Evening Sun of November 15:—

DEAR MADAM: I have just received your second letter to me about Sabbath observance, by which you mean Sunday observance. I agree with you about observing the day of rest. But we must be fair and charitable to others. The Christians do not observe the Sabbath day, namely, the seventh day, established by God according to the fourth commandment, or the third, as some number it. The Christians abandoned that day and adopted Sunday, which is the first day of the week. It is all right for us to observe Sunday, but let us have no miserable little prejudice against the Jews because they stick to the Sabbath. Some Christian sects also adhere to the Sabbath, stoutly maintaining that no one had the right to change the day of rest ordained of God from the seventh to the first day of the week.

Very truly yours, W. J. GAYNOR, Mayor.

Mayor Gaynor, having been a member of the Catholic Church in former years, learned by the teachings of that church the distinction between Sabbath and Sunday. This testimony should cause some who conscientiously worship on Sunday to examine the foundations of their faith, and know for themselves whether they are obeying God or men in observing the first day of the week.