Installment twenty-four

At the end of our previous entry, Mr. Severance had just finished giving
his illutration of how the date line works.
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Installment Twenty-four:

"Say, captain, who fixed up this date line scheme? And say, was it agreed
to peacefully?" The speaker was a rough-and-ready man from the Western
plains, as jovial as he was rough.
"Our friend has suggested a good thought, captain, so please tell us some-
thing of the date line history," said Mr. Severance.
"The date line is a natural result of the order of the peopling of the earth.
Taking my Bible, I discover that the cradle of the human family, after the
Deluge, was in the valley of the Euphrates, in the Eastern Hemisphere. From
that point people went eastwards and westwards to the fartest parts of
Europe and Asia, and centuries later, still farther west across the Western
Hemisphere. The day originally known in the Euphrates Valley was carried
unchanged both east and west, the only difference being that as they went
east, they began it earlier, while as they went west they began it later.
The truth of this is easily seen from the fact that a man may begin a journey
from China, and travel westward to San Francisco, and all the way around
will find his computation in perfect agreement with the time of the places
through which he passes. In other words, he is following the natural route
of the day and needs to make no change. If, however, he goes east from China
to San Francisco, he passes the natural starting point and likewise the finishing
point of the day, and must adjust himself to what he finds."
"Doesn't bother you at all about keeping Sunday, captain,?" asked the friend who
sat near him.
"Not in the least, sir," was the reply. "It aids me in my keeping of Sunday, as it
aids everyone who is seeking to obey God's commandments."
"Say, captain , I'm not a Christian, and don't keep any day, you see; but ever since
I was a boy, I have wondered about this Sabbath matter, which the preachers
were arguing yesterday," one of the listeners said. "I can understand about the
date line now, but I want to know if you honestly think people keep God's
commandment when they keep Sunday. Is Sunday the seventh day of the week?
I could almost believe it is, if you would tell me so. What do you say, captain?"
The simplicity and sincerity of the questioner awakened in the captain a great
desire to confess what he was rapidly coming to see; namely, that the fourth
commandment was not fulfilled in the observance of Sunday. But just as the
truth was about to escape his lips, he checked himself. Perhaps the time was
not right, he thought. Now with a gracious smile, he said:
"Let us refer the theological questions, my dear sir, to the clergy. They will
gladly help with such matters."
Harold Wilson, who was standing near Mr. Severance, whispered a word in
the merchant's ear.
Mr. Severance was a large hearted, liberal-minded man, and acting upon
Harold's suggestions, he arose and said:
"Ladies and gentlemen, we have with us on our vessel a Christian gentleman,
one of deep learning and piety, and to my mind, an authority on the question
of the Sabbath. I have heard him preach and I feel compentent to judge his
ability. I believe we could do no better than to invite Mr. Anderson to give us
the privilege of hearing from him in reply to the question we have just heard.
All in favor please raise your hand."
There was an almost unanimous response, though it was noticed that Dr.
Spaulding did not vote.
It was arranged that Mr. Anderson should meet his fellow passengers the
next day at the same hour.
Mr. Severance created much interest in the meeting of the next day by
suggesting that the other clergymen aboard the vessel be present at the
service and interrogate the speaker, and thus bring out all phases of the
subject.
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To be continued...