Mexborough and Swinton Times May 20, 1927

“Sunday ‘Blacklegs’”

“Civic Sunday” was observed at Wombwell last weekend.

A special service was held at the Parish Church on Sunday morning, and at the invitation of the rector (the reverent S.G.G.Smith), members of the Wombwell Urban District Council, UDC officials, a posse of police under Inspector Cox, and representatives of other organisations attended.

The Rector preached from the Commandment: “Remember the Sabbath Day to keep it holy.”

He said the Commander was designed for men’s benefit, as were all God’s laws. The Sabbath was for spiritual reflection and physical recuperation. The Commandment showed not only man’s recognition of God, but also God’s recognition of man.

Also there was involved the principle of man’s recognition of his fellow man. According to the words, “Six days shalt thou labour,” the man who did not work when he was able was just as much breaking the Commandment is a man who worked on the Sabbath. Sunday observance was a very Charter Labour, and he could not understand why Labour did not take up the principle:

“One day’s rest in seven.”

There are people in London now working seven days a week for the same remuneration as he got for six days 10 years ago. That would be the ultimate general result of the desecration of the Sabbath.

Referring to people who trade on Sundays, the Rector said “They are Sunday ‘blacklegs.’ They are taking a mean advantage of their fellow traders.”