The teaching of my childhood differed in many ways—Chiefly about the Sabbath—from that of modern days. Old-fashioned parents taught me my Maker to obey, His Name and Word to honour, and sanctify His Day. I learnt the Ten Commandments, and yet I never knew The Fourth one was not binding on Gentile as on Jew. I wonder if the Fifth one, the Sixth and Seventh too, The Eighth and all the others are only for a Jew. Or has the Jew a nature so different from mine, He needs all Ten Commandments, while I need only Nine ? The modern preacher tells me there is a better plan Than that old Fourth Commandment that God has given to man ! One hour each week suffices for all my spirit’s need ; To set apart one whole day were waste of time indeed ! I need to take no notice of Church bell at eleven When I’ve fulfilled my duty and been to “Mass” at seven ! And, if I am not working, the rest of the Lord’s Day, I should devote to football, to golf and gambling play I think with this arrangement the Devil is content ; He will not lose his captives in Sabbath hours thus spent. But may the Lord have mercy upon me and incline My heart to keep His precepts—all Ten—not only Nine.
M. A. P.