*Copies of the above were sent to certain Members of Parliament and others.
WE, the Sabbath Observance Committee of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland, having learned with deep regret that a request has been received from the War Office by the Home Office, asking that all cinemas and theatres in Great Britain should be opened on the Sabbath, and that the suggestion has been made that an Order in Council should be made giving authority to this, do hereby protest against the granting of such a request on the following grounds:—(1) That it is a flagrant breach of the Fourth Commandment, which is an integral part of the Moral Law of God. (2) Such an Order in Council, as is suggested, would directly involve our Sovereign, the King, in a solemn act of national sin against God at a time of serious national trial. (3) Such an Order would allow of no Parliamentary debate upon the matter, and as in our view the opening would not be conducive to the better or more successful prosecution of the war, it would be an infringement on the representative rights of the nation. (4) Such an Order would be the cause of grave disaffection in the country and a real and conscientious cleavage of national unity. (5) Such an Order would totally negative the appeal that prayer should be offered that the Lord might grant His blessing to this nation in its effort to stem the tide of evil aggression. (6) Believing that “Righteousness exalteth a nation and sin is a reproach to any people,” such an Order can but bring reproach and God’s anger upon the land and its rulers. We appeal to you to use your influence to arrest such an action of national dishonour, which can but bring God’s further displeasure upon this land together with its King, ministers and people. On behalf of the Committee, John Colquhoun, Convener.