Your correspondent C. Thompson (Letters, March 27) insists that seven day ferry sailings to and from the Isle of Lewis would amount to 'progress' and that without such a development islanders remain in the 'Dark Ages'. He (or she) makes a comparison with the time when electricity was invented, hating to think that islanders would have rejected it as 'unnatural'.
The two things are not equivalent. There is nothing in the Word of God to forbid such a development as electricity. It has obvious beneficial uses for man. In our modern society the presence or absence of electricity might mean the difference between
life or death.
In contrast ferry sailings conducted for business or pleasure on the Lord's Day are unlawful in the light of Holy Scripture. The fourth commandment begins: "Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work." Seven day ferry sailings would not benefit man. They would interrupt the appointed day of rest and worship and take us further away from God and His blessing. Whether a development is to be regarded as 'progress' depends entirely on the end one has in view. Seven day ferry sailings would doubtless be 'progress' in the minds of those who are working towards the goal of a materialistic, hedonistic, secular society. However they would be a departure from the goal of a truly godly society.
As with all promises of 'progress' we should think carefully where the 'progress' is taking us before we give it our support.
REV. DAVID BLUNT
Free Church Manse,
Knockintorran,
Isle of North Uist
HS6 5ED
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