New-York daily tribune., 1858-03-18
PUBLIC MEETINGS.
MEETING OF CITIZENS IN BEHALF OF THE
CHRISTIAN SABBATH.

yss held last evening at the Hall OF the historical 90
cietv Second avenue and Eleventh street.. There
was a very small number of citizens present considering
the importance of the subject under consideration.
Tbemeeting was called to order by Mr. n. +. BUrLER,
who proposed Mr.. Wm. NJ. Crosby as Chairman which
was unanimously adopted and Mr.. CROSBY took the
Chair. Mr. FRANcIs HALL was then appointed Vice
Chairman and Mr.. GEo NJ TITUS a. Secretary.
The meeting was opened with prayer by the Rev.
DR.. De Witt.
Mr. NORMAN WHITE made statement of the doinSS
and progress Of the Committee who had this subject
under consideration. He said that several years ago
the minds of several gentlemen had been exercised
with the gre at decoration of the Sabbath in our city,
At several different times there had been attempts to
arrest particular forms of Sabbath desecration. Cen
tlemen had deliberaed and discussed the question,
what could be done to arrest the dreadful evil which
seemed likely to Overwhem us AT the request oi
some gentle men tract was puDlsheu, seVeral years
SINCE and distributed through the city. little more
than year since there were some occurrences wAch
seemed TO cali for immediate attention of those who
wished to preserve the Sabbath and after consuta-
ton it was decided to call meeting and confer upon
the subject. That meeting was held in the lecture
room of DR.. Alexander Church. on the hrst OF Aprl
last At this time statements were made OF the exist
ing state of things far a. ascersined. One OF the
occurrences to which | allude was then brought for
ward 1t was stated that a few Sabbaths pre-
vious fire engine company had passed through
the streets, with banners and band Of music,
they had taken possession of Broadway opposite the
Metropolitan Hotel, blocking up the whole street; and
this was at mid day on Sunday. Just about the same
time we met carOng company organizing on Union
Place; they organized and went to Madison Square,
and went through with their drill actually on the Sab
bath-day We then requested some gentlemen to go
through the city and what was actually being done
and to their great astOnishment they found numerous
shops open, and business going on as ON other days.
This presented new aspect of Sabbath dissertation
Tla, ,lt hats 10
deliberate " hat was best to be done. This committee
knew it was formidable work. but they had put their
heads it and felt it their duty to 60 forward There
was great diversity OF opinion on some SUBJECTS, out
there was broad ground upon which all could agree
There was work enough for years and years IN winch
they could agree and leave all these minor questions
We had gentlen en- to canvass the CITY, and the re-
suits of that have been spread before you In
a report on "The Sabbath in New-fork; ana ven
turs to say there are few who are prepared LOT tue
startling facts in that report. The investigation AT
that time had reference to what might be seen n pass
ing along the streets and only dscoses partially the
extent of this desecration. The Committee have telt
that the first thing was to gam the pubic mnd. we
must have deeply Impressed on the mnds
clergy were invited to call attention to the sub
iect and nObly they responded to the call. About
one hundred sermons have been preached upon TINS
subject. When this matter came before the pubic,
to our qualification we found the papers looked with
favor upon it-both religious and secular papers. We
felt greatly encouraged because our secular papers
with two exceptions, helped US In this work; we
bold this meeting to tell you that we have just begun
this work. If we 20 forward, we must have the CO.
operation of every good citizen; and we believe we
shall have your hearty and cordial cooperation. AMI
now we are happy to say that our magistrates are
with u.s. our Police Commissioners with us, and
our Superintendent Of Police is with We must
take time for this aborious work; we must prepare
toe minds of the foreigners who come here; we must
speak to them kindly; tell them we wish them to re-
spect our laws. We come to ask you to sustain us III
the work.
The Chairman next introduced Mr. Ii. HOLDEN, who
said perhaps useless to make any further state
ment, but he would occupy about three minutes mus
Committee proposed no ultra measures. We are iuly
convinced that the observance of the Sabbath cannot
be enforced by law but public opinion can be raised
to proper standard In this matter some OF the sec
ular Press have mscOnceved US, and few have will
fully misrepresented us. They tried to induce the
moor man to believe we were his enemies. We wish
to have the claims of Sabbath better understood oy
the emgrant population, who are as general thlng
lamentably ignorant in this respect. IL the statements
in The Commercial AdreTtSer tonight are true IL Is
high time that we were awake. The Committee have
great cause for thanktuness that simultaneously with
this Sabbath movement Gods Holy Spirit is visiting
our churches in manner not known since the days OF
Edward Ii has been thought best that the speakers
should be requested to limit their remarks to about
ten mlnutes so that many may give Us word OF en-.
couragenent; and We hope that fire will be kindled
here TO night which will burn with pure flame till
the Sabbath shall be secured from all decoration.
propose that the resolutions of the Committee be
read
The Chairman putthe question 10 the meeting, which
decided to hear the resolutions, which were read as
follows:
Resoed That cordially sprrove and ourselves sdop; ths
resolutions in vndicson and support Of the holy ob,e 4nce Of
the Dav meeting Of more than hundred Of
the Christian Ministers OF this city, held on the 18th day OF jan
q That the principles and and predeccs
in respect the observance Of the first dsy OF the "ek
commonly called Sunday Incorporated the early statutes oi this
state and which have remained UNCHANGED by the people through
the whole existence of this commonwealth command ot she
s. That we earnestly request the magistrates aud constituted
authorities of this city their best exeons under hr nS
and ordinances of the State aud City % psect aud preserve the
Christian Sabbath, and prevent its decoration ,..
That republican citizens we do not regard tns
thy Of our imitation because we see it n.epsraby connected
and Stf % pSd nsaSs w % s tne mee o.ern
the Lords Day in Great Britain and in this country nePa
bly, connected with he improvement and elevation OF the masses
rendIins impossible Tor them submit political bondase
IEn We 1Rp'ose Of The c9I.e heItGiore pursued O b @
to continue their efforts the spirit of Kindness snd moderation
which have hitherto governed he and pledge them
o. That this meeting have been deeply impressed with the wis
dom o ths remark. made by the Hon A. TAmsds aud that
icG~ % wi s steIt % SH esmas inae1oe to promote the
oysr OF sis country every friend Of humanity, unite with us
Mr.. HIRAN KEIcHM An then spoke. He said this
was q meeting for business and he should be brief
The setting apart OF day seven for rest from toll
we believe is an institution of Divine appointment
The question is not whether the day should be abol-
shed, but hOtc ii shall be kept. In The Commercial
of to-day noticed meeting has been held in Buffalo
in opposition 70 the Sabbath. In Of these resou
tons they hold the idea that the Sabbath should be
spent in riding fishing, sailing, and other amusemen,s
as each man shall deem best he being the judge un
der God There are two theories on this subect-one
sbadowed forth in the resolutions of this meeting in
Buffalo. 1t is the mode of rest which prevails in Eu-
rope-that is, a day of recreation. 1 have recently
had conversation with late representative at Ber-
lin. He tells me that the King of Prussis is proesssd
iy religious man. and Protestant; the royal family
dine together on Sunday and sitter that goto the thea