SUNDAY trading of any description should be resisted at all costs, a leading member of the Independent Order has warned.
Speaking at the ILOL Demonstration in Portglenone, W Bro Alderman James McClure said Sunday trading is deplorable, has no commercial justification and leads to discrimination against those with scriptural convictions. He said: “Do not fall into the w
ays of the world. Six days we should labour and rest on the Lord’s Day. Sunday trading breaks the commandment of God.”
He told the brethren: “Keep Sunday special. Our world wants to make the Sabbath just another day like any other day. God made the world in six days and rested on the seventh, so we must ensure it is a holy day.
“We must stand up against proposals to allow horse racing, gambling and the introduction of football matches on the Lord’s Day. The Christian Sabbath is a day for God not for gambling. It is a day for worshipping the Saviour, not for sport.
“Be strong as the martyrs of the past were strong. Stand up for what is right and good. Be different in a time of secular, self satisfaction. Like the martyrs of old and men of faith in years gone by, stand by the truth and honour God and he will honour you and your children.”
W Bro McClure put forward a simple Christian message: “Brethren I stand before you with a simple message you cannot you afford to ignore. In a world of decaying moral standards many people are searching for a meaning to life.
“The truths of the Bible are the only foundations which will ensure a life of faith and peace. We must return to the simplicity of the truth to free ourselves from the turmoil that modern life inflicts on us.”
In closing he told the brethren: “Today we celebrate the 105 anniversary of the foundation of our Institution and render thanks to our heavenly father for his care and guidance through these 105 years. This Institution consistently promotes an undiluted Protestantism, Constitutional unionism and the independence and democracy of the Orange institution.
“We remain determined that those principals will prevail. With Luther we declare, ‘Here we stand; we can do no other, God being our helper.’
“I can assure you today that we of this institution have no intention of leaving the warm fireside of the British Commonwealth to wander out into a Gaelic Mist.
“We still place Protestantism before party politics; principles before party; measures before men. And our cry is still no surrender. God Save the Queen.”
The full article contains 435 words and appears in Coleraine Times newspaper.
