going on in the tenement
district on Sunday, and the police seemed powerless or careless in the
matter.
All this burned into Philip like molten metal, and when he faced his
people on the Sunday which was becoming a noted Sunday for them, he
quivered with the earnestness and thrill which always came to a
sensitive man when he feels sure he has a sermon which must be preached
and a message which the people must hear for their lives.
He took for a text Christ's words, "The Sabbath was made for man," and at
once defined its meaning as a special day.
"The true meaning of our modern Sunday may be summed up in two
words--Rest and Worship. Under the head of Rest may be gathered whatever
is needful for the proper and healthful recuperation of one's physical
and mental powers, always regarding, not simply our own ease and
comfort, but also the same right to rest on the part of the remainder of
the community. Under the head of Worship may be gathered all those facts
which, either through distinct religious service or work or thought tend
to bring men into closer and dearer relation to spiritual life, to teach
men larger, sweeter truths of existence and of God, and leave them
better fitted to take up the duties of every-day business.
"Now, it is plain to me that if Christ were here to-day, and pastor of
Calvary Church, he would feel compelled to say some very plain words
about the desecration of Sunday in Milton. Take for example the opening
of the fruit stands and cigar stores and meat markets every Sunday
morning. What is the one reason why these places are open this very
minute while I am speaking? There is only one reason--so that the owners
of the places may sell their goods and make money. They are not
satisfied with what they can make six days in the week. Their greed
seizes on the one day which ought to be used for the rest and worship
men need, and turns that also into a day of merchandise. Do we need any
other fact to convince us of the terrible selfishness of the human heart?
"Or take the case of the saloons. What right have they to open their
doors in direct contradiction to the town ordinance forbidding it? And
yet this ordinance is held by them in such contempt that this very
morning as I came to this church I passed more than half a dozen of
these sections of hell, wide open to any poor sinning soul that might be
enticed therein. Citizens of Milton, where does the responsibility rest
for this violation of l
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