SOMETIMES ago a friend in N.S.W. sent me an Australian Magazine. Among its articles there was one with an arresting title—“The River is Rising.” It was an article describing the noble Clarence, one of Australia’s finest rivers—in flood.* The writer, who was master of a vivid, descriptive style, presented a picture of the river in full flood, overflowing its banks and pouring its waters on the low-lying country near its mouth ere it emptied them into the sea. Watchers were placed at the upper reaches of the river to warn the people when the volume of water was likely to cause devastation on reaching the lower reaches of the river. When the warning message—“the River is rising”—it was heard with consternation, and speedy preparation was made to remove children and live-stock to places of safety†. Household articles which might suffer damage were moved to upper rooms to escape the overflowing waters. To those who had passed through a similar experience before, and unfortunately these were not uncommon, that cry, “the River is rising,” told of devastation and danger to life. In reading that article, we could not help thinking that the Clarence’s devastating floods were a fit picture of what is happening in Scotland in regard to the observance of the Sabbath. The river of Sabbath desecration is in full flood and while there are still a few faithful watchmen proclaiming, “The river is rising,” there is comparatively little heed paid to the cry by the multitude who will be most affected when the devastating waters pour over the country. Readers of the Magazine have had their attention directed from time to time to the various forms of Sabbath-breaking which were unknown to our fathers and which would have horrified the serious-minded people of Scotland.† The Sabbath Day, which at one time was reserved for God, is now commandeered by those who care nothing for His law for pastimes such as football, cricket, tennis, golf, etc; for pleasures such as dancing, musical concerts, sight-seeing, etc. These are tributaries, as it were.
* Grafton is built on the banks of the Clarence. It is the first town in Australia which has the distinction of having the first place of worship of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland erected within its boundaries. The F.P. Church of Scotland is to be distinguished from the Free Presbyterian Church of Australia which has ecclesiastical affinities with the Free Church of Scotland.
† In our Notes and Comments, attention is drawn to Archbishop Garbett’s recent utterance. The days of the Book of Sports are returning to the country.
In Scotland we are faced with a new menace which may have disastrous effects on the religious life of the country. The politicians have decided that one of the best ways of improving the condition of the Highlands is to set in motion great hydro-electric works which, we are told, will bring untold good to the people. So far so good, but when we look carefully into the scheme we will discover it may bring into the Highlands a class of people whose religious sympathies are alien to the people of the country on such a momentous question as Sabbath observance. The same may be said about the Tourist Scheme which is being so largely boomed in Scotland. The majority of these visitors do not make for the betterment of observance of the Sabbath. Boats, buses and trains are placed at their service. While it may give pleasure to the people of the Highlands that so many visit their country to see its beauty, the pleasure, however, may be bought at too great a price. Many tourists respect the Sabbath and honour God’s Day, but they are in the minority.
We have touched on only a few phases of Sabbath desecration, but enough has been said for the watchmen to proclaim, “The river is rising,” and as far as can be seen there is no evidence that the devastating waters are abating. Our duty is plain, but unless the Lord arise and say: Thus far shalt thou come and no farther,” the outlook is decidedly depressing. It does no good to shut our eyes to the dangers, yet, of the on-coming flood.
In the midst of it all, our sure and all-sufficient help is in Jehovah’s name. This is not the first time in the history of Christ’s Church in Scotland that the enemy endeavoured to raze its bulwarks to the ground but on each revival of true religion, the Sabbath, though for long trampled upon, came back to its rightful place.