the World's Week of Prayer for the Sabbath, which includes the two first Sabbaths of April in each year, urging that a large part of the regular services of that week at least be devoted to this theme, in order to prevent or check the summer flood of Sabbath-breaking, then just at hand. In nearly all meetings the sentiment of the audience should be expressed in resolutions, usually brief. Whenever possible let funds be gathered at the meetings, for which purpose this sub-committee is to keep a supply of sharpened pencils with envelopes backed as below, to be handed down the aisles by ushers after the addresses: Enclosed $ The undersigned wishes to be enrolled as a member of the above organization and a friend of the American Sabbath, and hereby subscribes $1.00 (unless a larger sum is named below), for the distribution of Sabbath Reform Literature, Public Meetings and other work of the Association. Name. Street and number. City or town.. " Those who subscribe not less than $1.00 will be enrolled as Annual Members. Those who subscribe not less than $1 per month, $12 per year, will be enrolled as "Sustaining Members." $100.00, ($8.50 per month) or more, for one year, makes the giver, or some one designated by him, a "Life Member." Those who pay $1.00 or more will be entitled to "The Civil Sabbath," by Rev. Wilbur F. Crafts, on application to the treasurer. Unpaid subscriptions to be paid to the treasurer named above, or to your church treasurer or pastor, within ten days or at most a month. It is a wise plan to have money counted by two persons before it is taken from the church or hall, and a voucher signed by both, as follows, to be handed with the money to the treasurer : Anonymous gifts, $. Paid by subscribers. Total cash. . . Unpaid subscriptions. Counted by . . . Church . 189-. IO. The Committee on Reducing or Preventing Sunday Work in the Postoffice, consisting of the Pastors' Union, or a committee from its members, unless otherwise ordered, is to secure the entire closing of the postoffice on the Sabbath by petition of a majority of citizens, signed in churches, a pencil and petition being placedin each pew, and other names added from outside. Pending complete closing, this sub-com mittee is to secure such reduction or rearrangement of the Sunday work as will give larger opportunities for worship and rest. In thirty towns and cities the complete closing of the postoffice on the Sabbath was secured during 1888-92, often with little effort, and in other places a committee has secured lesser improvements. Such local reforms as are here outlined can be accomplished without paid secretaries by earnest pastors, aided by elect ladies and laymen and such organizations as are at hand. It seems to us that such local reform is nothing more than the duty which the ministers of any place, as a whole, and the churches and kindred societies owe to the general community. The old prophets had a mission not to individuals only but to society. The prophets of to-day have also this double duty. On Sabbath reform more people can at present be united than on any other crusade against evil. When this evil has been put down the same committee will be in trim for a united attack on the kindred evils of intemperance, gambling and impurity; and local reforms will hasten national reforms. Clifton Springs, N. Y. WILBUR F. Crafts. |