Continuing Debate 

The issue of the Parramatta Mercury for 19^th May, 1894, page 4, shows a published Letter to the Editor from S. McCullagh, in which he desires “…to review a few points in that leader (Mercury 12^th May, 1894 editorial) which appear to me to be palpably inconsistent with the whole tenor of Scripture truth, and correct principles of government, and religious liberty”. In the Argus of that same date, 19^th May, the Editor – rather tongue in cheek – wrote:  “Up to date Harry firth has not been placed in the stocks.  When he is caged up, we would suggest that a regiment of small boys be engaged to tickle his nose with straws.  He might even be put up outside the post office, and with his tongue tied to his chin, be made useful as well as ornamental by licking the stamps of persons about to post letters.”

The Mercury of May 26, 1894, page 6, in a very long article, reported on a ‘MEETING IN THE PARRAMATTA TOWN HALL – A SPIRITED PROTEST AGAINST THE FIRTHS’ SENTENCES.  A COUNTER BLAST.”  The public meeting was held to enter an emphatic protest against the sentences recently passed upon the Firth brothers.  “…. By a quarter to 8 o’clock the hall was more than half full, despite the cold weather, and when the meeting was well underweigh, (sic) there were probably 400 people present, half the audience downstairs and in the gallery, being composed of ladies and children.  A very large number of families were present from the country districts, the contingent from Kellyville numbering, it was estimated, about fifty persons …  hymns were beautifully sung by a numerically small, but highly-trained choir, consisting of Mrs G. B. Starr, Mrs A. S. Hiscox, and Mrs E Hardy; Miss M Lawrence presiding at the organ.  A solo, “Launch the Lifeboat” was beautifully sung by Mrs Hiscox, the promoters of the movement and a posse of opponents at the back of the hall, alike joining in raptures of applause when she concluded.  The improvement lately effected by the Mayor in the illuminating appliances was noticeable and lady visitors will no longer be heard complaining at balls that it was impossible to discern the beauties of the dresses worn by dancers in Parramatta Town Hall”.

The lengthy article covered the meeting in great detail.  It reported that the speaker, A. G. Daniells, "made a telling speech, listened to for the most part with breathless interest.”  And that he “is altogether one of the most fluent, polished and argumentative speakers heard in Parramatta for years”.  Eventually a motion was carried – Resolved, that in our opinion all religious legislation by civil government is subversive of religious liberty, and that we protest against the enactment and enforcement of all religious laws.”

It was the custom of the newspapers of the day to report extensively on the sermons preached on Sundays in the Parramatta churches, and in the same issue of the Mercury (26/5/1894) on page 9, there appeared a very full account of a sermon preached by the Rev. H. Gainford in the Congregational Church the Sunday evening before to a crowded congregation, some of whom had to be accommodated in the aisles.  There were about a dozen Adventists present.  The Rev. Gainford took as his texts:  Mark 2:27 and Matt 12.12 which say” “the Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath” and “Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the Sabbath days.”  He, of course, referred to Sunday as the Sabbath, and not to the Biblical seventh-day Sabbath.

His sermon ranged over many aspects of why he considered it was in the common good to have a legislated day of worship, and what he considered would be the impact on society if people were left to choose their own day of rest.  But his sermon concluded  “…Let men’s hearts be right with God, and they’ll keep the day in a proper manner.  When Christ is the living force of the living soul, that soul will do right and go right.  There are many ways of keeping the spirit of the Sabbath day, and there are many ways of violating it.  Let us not stumble over the letter, and so forget the inner spirit of the law of Christ.  But if Christ be not in men’s hearts, then their adherence to the letter is of little use, for without Christ men cannot understand the true meaning of His words.  The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath.  If you have any doubt on this great Sabbath question, seek Christ for light and guidance, for He is Lord of the Sabbath, and to Him you stand or fall.”