The Northern Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1856-09-17 00:00:00

THE NATIONAL SUNDAY LEAGUE

A public meeting of the members and friends of this
association, established for the purpose of obtaining the
opening of the public museums, galleries, libraries, and
gardens on Sunday, with a view to afford the working
classes the opportunity of mutual improvement and inno-
cent recreation, was held at St. Martin's Hall, Long-acre,
London, on Monday evening. Sir Joshua Walmsley,
President of the League, occupied the chair. He con-
gratulated the meeting on the presence of so many ladies,
and regretted that Sir J. Shelly was unavoidably absent.
He was happy to say that, whatever had been accom-
plished in the movement, had resulted from the labours of
the working classes themselves. He regretted to say that
numerous misrepresentations and cal urnnies had from time
to time been promulgated as to the proceedings, the
objects, and the intentions of the association: He could
not allow that opportunity to pass without reiterating
what had been frequently stated by the advocates of the
league, namely, that it was the desire of the members
and friends of that body to sustain the right of private
judgement and of religious equality, and that in
reality was their aim. Their object was the elevation
of their fellow-men and the advancement of piety
and virtue, instead of, as was imputed to them, the
weakening or removing those religious land-marks which
all denominations of Christians must desire to maintain.
The League contended that innocent recreation wis not

only compatible, but
and they courted discussion, whether public or private,
as it was calculated to elicit truth. His opinion was,
that one of the most efficient means of improving the
feelings of the working classes would be the throwing
open of the public institutions of the country for their
enjoyment ; for he believed that by closing them they
might he increasing the attractions of the public.house.
They might surround the enjoyments of the humbler
classes on Sunflays with penolties, but these, so far
from promoting the interests of true religion, would
only conduce to organise hypocrisy. The upper
e,lasses, in the plenitude of their own enjoy-
ments, should not forget that recreation was
absolutely necessary to the man who was engaged for six
4.vs in the week at hard labour in factory or workshop,
With ---to the effect of those SdAnth-day amuse-
at most of the musical
bhoatls, f. he
H could
kflar his personal testimony in their
7s, and could eat()
gatherings in the parks on Stu,
influence
meechladd been
confidently that they exercised a human,.7.l".

in accordance with the Scriptures,

on the masses, that the conduct of the multituo,
assem-
bled was orderly, that their appearance was neat, an:."
that parental care was exhibited by those who bad the
care of children. Mr. W. Snoden moved the first reso-'
lotion, that, in the opinion of the meeting, the opening
of the public museums, galleries, and libraries on Sun-
day, would improve the social habits and morals, and,
increase the happiness of the working classes. Mr. R.:
Cox. of Edinburgh, seconded the motion. whereupon
Mr. Lindon moved an amendment to the effect that the
meeting cheerfully accepted the decision which the
House of Commons had come to last, session, on the
subject of opening public places of amusement on the
Sabbath, but at the same time pledged itself to use every
exertion to obtain the opening of public institutions
more frequently during week days, in order to enable
the working classes to avail themselves of their benefits.
This gentleman proceeded to address the meeting amid
considerable uproar and frequent interruption. Mr.
Girdbottom seconded the amendment. Mr. Wilkinson,
M.P. for Lambeth, addressed the meeting in favour of the
original resolution which was almost unanimously car-
ried, after which the meeting separated.

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