SINCE the War began, right-minded people in our cities have been shocked by the issue, on the Lord’s Day, of newspapers giving the latest War News. These papers are being sold in the streets, and even at the doors of churches. The peace of quiet neighbourhoods is rudely disturbed on Sabbath mornings by the hideous cries of “War Special.” Sabbath desecration is one of the outstanding sins of our country, and one of the causes of the Lord’s wrath against us as well as other nations, and so we are only adding fuel to the fire by such obnoxious breaches of the divine commandment at the present time. We have no doubt but our country is engaged in a just conflict against Germany. At the same time the Most High has a controversy with us on various accounts, and we cannot escape chastisement. The following letter by way of protest was sent to the press. The Glasgow Citizen to its credit gave it a very prominent place in its columns:—
“GLASGOW, 10th September, 1914.
Sir,—We, the undersigned ministers of the Free Presbyterian Church, desire to raise our conscientious and decided protest against the practice of printing news and circulating newspapers on the Lord’s Day. Since the present War began, certain representatives of the press seem to think that they have a special call to issue War Editions on the Sabbath, and to send their newsboys even to the door of churches at the end of divine service to advance the sale.
While we feel as deeply interested as any of our fellow citizens in the welfare of our brave soldiers and sailors, and in the success of the Allied Forces on the field of conflict, we see no reason why the peace of the sacred day of rest should be thus invaded. If the news is good, all is well; if it is bad, Monday will be time enough to hear of it.
We discern no sufficient ground whatever, upon the principle of ‘necessity or mercy,’ for such proceedings, and regard them as an unwholesome interference with the moral and spiritual interests of the community. No one can tell the incalculable amount of good done to the jaded minds and bodies of the people by the rest and elevation of the Sabbath.
We feel bound, therefore, at the present moment to remind our fellow-countrymen that the moral law in every precept is of divine and perpetual obligation upon all (newspaper proprietors included), and that the Fourth Commandment, ‘Remember the Sabbath Day to keep it holy,’ is an integral part of this law which has God for its author. Let it not be forgotten that the Most High severely chastised ancient Israel for its disregard of the Sabbath as well as other divine institutions (see 2 Chronicles xxxvi. 17, 21), and that He is the same yesterday, to-day, and forever.
The Day of Rest has lost nothing in sacredness and worth, but gained much, amid the glories of the Gospel dispensation. It commemorates now not only the completion of the great work of creation, but the accomplishment of the grand work of redemption. ‘The Prince of Peace’ rose from the dead on the first day of the week. Let us seek to remember Him ‘who remembered us in our low estate’ on that day, and our soldiers and sailors will not suffer any loss on that account.
We would humbly appeal, in conclusion, to all who desire the highest good of our beloved country to oppose in every lawful way in their power all encroachments on the sanctity and rest of the Lord’s Day.—We are, etc.,
(Signed) NEIL CAMERON,
St. Jude’s F.P. Church.
( ” ) JAMES S. SINCLAIR,
John Knox’s F.P. Church.”
Several letters appeared in approval of the above protest, notably two, one by Mr. Archibald Macneill of the Free Church, and the other by Rev. Thomas Mathew, Kilwinning, of the Original Secession Church. A few letters of an opposite character also appeared, but it is not unfair to say that they were weak productions.