The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-08-22
Sabbath ObseTvGnces
NETTING IN PATERSON, N. y.

the Derrom Hall, in West street, to devise means
for the better observance Of abe first day OF the
week. At eight o'clock about thirty6ve persons
were present, part being females; but the number
was afterwards increased TO seventy or eighty OF
all shades of opinion on the subject. John J. Brown
was appointed chairman, and lev. ). n. ROBINSON
secretary.
After hearing the minutes of the previous meet
ing a report from the committee then appointed was
read, embracing variety OF recommendations for
more strict pubic observance of the Sabbath This
was accepted 30 as to place it in possession Of the
meeting; after which motion was carried that 1t
be taken up in sectiohs. The first, which autho-
Hzed the appointment OF five men in each ward to
act as committee, passed with little discussion.
On reading the second, which required one or
more officers TO act as Sunday police to be paid for
ment resolutions declaring "man' to be greater
than any day, and that as nearly all the crime and
misery existing could be traced to the sale of in
toxis ating liquor, that the audience pledged them
selves to labor for the extirpation of the traffic.
Mr.. G. accompanied these with few brief remarks,
IN advocacy Of his position.
Mr.. DsRROM moved that the amendment be laid
on the table for the present. as 1t was out OF place,
with the views advanced by Mr.. Campbell. This
motion was carried by q large majority.
Rev W. FoLYARD was the next speaker he OBJ
Jecte to the report on the ground that it time
serving, and besides it only going back to the
authorities asking them to perform q duty which
they had ali eady declined He thought II ought to
take ground more distinctly in favor of the Sabbath
man was particularly severe upon certain editors
and others, who would have the day observed be-
cause it was for the general good merely. and cited
the example of Phineas, who armed himself with
knife and plunged it into the hearts of the two law
breakers in ancient times.
Rev. c. II. A. BULKLEY took ground against the
resolutions in able, logical and sensible speech
laws, and said there were two grounds on which Il
was proposed to base the action proposed. One
was the religious authority, the other expediency.
He protested against the first Of these, establish
commenced, might be pushed to an unlimited ex-
tent He had as deep reverence for the Chris
tian Sabbath as any Of his brethren; but would not
rest iH observance on mere force, feeling confident
that the truth would of itself carry conviction to
mems minds. On the ground of expediency he
thought it not their business to enforce the
laws but that of the duly elected authorities. He
iet that this was an alarming movement. calculated
to heap odium upon the Church an institution OPP
posing mems natural rights. While they talked Of
prosecution the world would raise the hue and cry
OF persecution. As ministers and church members
they would therefore be placed before the commu
nifty in false position. Mr.. Bulkley's remarks
were warmly applauded at the close.
Rev. J. H. ROBINSON replied. The authorities, he
said had declined to perform their duties, and what
remained but that the people should take this mat
ter into their own hands? They were not going to
make new laws, hut merely to enforce those already
put on the statute book by the democracy of New
Jersey He thought if Mr.. Buckley were as long in
Paterson as he had been, Mr.. B. would have-1ess
confidence in moral influences. What did the meet
ing propose but to stop the sale Of Intoxicating
hqnors, to close dry goods and shoe stores which
he himself had seen open ON Sunday segar and con-
fectionery stores, and all those places which were
kept open for the purpose of making money on that
day! BY the temptations they held out children
were often entced into these Places in opposition
70 the will OF their parents. 1t was not as church
members they were going to proceed, but as or.
derly citizens who were c0ntending for the rights
Of all alike. II one man had right to open his
store, his neighbor in the same business would be
Obliged to follow, or else be injured in business
thereby. copfectioner had lately published a
letter over his own signature, stating that after
closing his store on Sunday his receipts diminished
one-half This showed that all must be treated
alike or else an undue advantage was given
TO one over another, and the whole commu-
nifty would be obliged to follow, laboring
seven days for only the wages of six. Applause)
After some explanatory remarks by Rev. Mr..
Buckley,
Mr.. bsRRoM desired to say few words on the
subject He was proud of being citizen of Pa
terson, and contrasted its present condition with
what 1t was when he was q boy, believing much of
the change to have resnltedfrom an enforcement o.
the Sabbath laws in past years. He referred to the
Influence for good maintained by certain public
in the streets. Those present appeared to be too
tjmd and afraid to shoulder the responsibility of
enforcing the laws For his part, he was ready to
bear his share of the odum which might arise from
keeping good order in the place.
The CHAIRMAN here requested the Secretary to
take his place while he proceeded to offer some re-
marks. While in favor Of the better enforcement
of the law he said there was one ground on which
he must dissent from the recommendations made
in the report. The minutes showed that the first
meeting was called not as public one, but as
composed of the churches in town. Thus the
First Presbyterian church was represented
by SO ard 80 the Cross street Methodist
church by this and that while another church was
not represented at all. He considered this as I'M
wise and certain to bring defeat the object con-
templated The Chairman ne xt alluded to the Sun
day laws, some of which it would be out Of the
question to attempt enforcing. For example, they
prohibited all riding and walking on the day, ex-
cept on works Of necessity or charity He himself
had long been in the habit Of taking ride out in
the morning for his heath-not on Sundays, but
every day and he felt that the law ought not to in
terfere with him. The same was true of other
matters. They could not stop with one measure
only, but must go through with their measures.
WILLIAM WRIGHT, of the Guardian, after re-
marking that he had not come there to make
speech, SAID had the object contemplated only the
suppression Of drinking Intoxicating liquors, he for
one would have wished it success, because, while
drunkenness was bad every day, the vice would
prevail to much greater extent on Sunday, when
all were une ulployed. Places might have been open
ed for the sale of clothing; but, for one, he had
failed to witness such Still, if it was done at ALL
that was necessary was to advise the public of the
fact and these traders would soon be obliged to
discontinue. There remained places where glass
OF soda water or @ cup OF ice cream could be pro-
cured. He, for one, had imbibed to the extent of
half dozen Of the former during the summer, and,
if the hot weather continued, should probably take
half dozen more. So far from shutting up such
places, he declared that il be had the means and
time he would open room where good books and
periodicals should be provided, and where coffee
could be sold at low price, holding out an induce
nent to those who were out at the knees and
elbows and of course too poor to attend church, to
come in. Were places Of that sort provided, there
would be less sneakfng into low groggeries by the
side doors during Sunday. If was true, as stated,
that children attending Sunday schools were enticed
into conectionares, in opposition to their parents
going parents Sunday school teachers clergymen.
They ought to teach their people to have children
under better control than that. The speaker then
proceeded to observe that there was not shadow
of authority in the New Testament for the observ-
ance of the first day of the week the of
the Jewish Sabbath, when he was called to order
hY NJ nerrnm as discussing nnint foreign to the