Profanation of the Sabbath

Admonitory Statement by Northern F.P. Presbytery.

THE Northern Presbytery of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland met at Halkirk on 31st October, and issued the following statement: The Northern Presbytery of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland would remind all concerned that the Sabbath law is of Divine authority and perpetual obligation, and that it was designed by an all-wise and beneficent Creator for man’s highest good. It is therefore with deep regret that the Presbytery note the following instances of disregard of this law, and they would solemnly warn against the evil of Sabbath desecration and the inevitable spiritual and temporal injury and loss it brings.

1. Sabbath Harvesting.—Contrary to the Divine commandment, the Board of Agriculture, supported by the R.C. Cardinal Hinsley, the Archbishop of Canterbury and others, recommended that harvesting be conducted on the Lord’s Day, which recommendation some farmers have followed. While works of necessity and mercy are allowed, unfavourable weather conditions do not justify this recommendation, but, in the Presbytery’s view are a call to repentance. “In earing-time and in harvest thou shalt rest” (Exod. xxxiv., 21) is the Divine command, in face of which harvesting on the Lord’s Day is virtually a denial of God’s goodness at a time when the Divine bounty in providing the fruits of the earth and in preserving to us liberty to gather them should be humbly and thankfully acknowledged by observing the Sabbath rest.

2. Sabbath Football.—”The Sabbath was made for man.” It is stamped on his constitution. He needs its holy rest. Yet in several Highland towns and villages its sacred hours have been profaned by football playing by the troops, to the grief of many. The nation is presently engaged in a supreme struggle for liberty. True liberty is freedom under law, and “the royal law of liberty,” which alone binds men authoritatively and richly rewards the obedient, says: “If thou turn away thy foot from the Sabbath from doing thy pleasure on my holy day and call the Sabbath a delight . . . I will cause thee to ride on the high places of the earth. . . .” (Isa. lviii., 13). Promoters of football matches on the Lord’s Day are not the friends but the enemies, however unwittingly, of liberty and of the young men for whose supposed benefit but real detriment these facilities have been provided. The Presbytery would respectfully urge the military authorities to reconsider their attitude in the matter and stop this flouting of the Divine commandment and the feelings of the Christian community.

3. Sabbath Town Council Meeting.—The Presbytery observe with sorrow that a meeting of the Town Council of Wick was convened and held on the Lord’s Day, 19th October, when business was transacted by the Council which ought to have been done on a week-day. God is the Law-Giver, the Fountain of truth, justice and mercy to all men. He is the Great Bond of Society. From Him Magistrates derive authority to be used, not to trample and discredit His law to the weakening of the bonds of the community, but to advance His glory and the public good (Rom. xiii., 4). Evils inherent in and lofty ends defeated by the said action of the Wick Town Council have involved the community in the Council’s guilt. To-day, in a manner more awful than ever before, men are being taught the lesson that God is not mocked: communities and nations reap as they sow, and this is eminently true of their attitude to the Sabbath. The wise will lay it to heart.