The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1867-07-03
Exeur.ieu. ON ,he Fourth

By common consent, Masons, Odd
Fellows, and other benevolent orders
have yielded the Fourth Of July to Sun
day Schools for picnic excursions. This
courtesy has no doubt been extended
because Sabbath Schools, being under
the control of the church, are regarded
as religious organizations. Such they
are, and those connected with them are
under honorable obligations to con-
tinue them as such on the Fourth of
July as much as at any other time, so
as to merit aud retain the Difference
thus accorded.
So soon as Sunday School officers,
and teachers and parents permit the
day to be perverted and prostituted to
day of mere sport and giddy frolic,
as foreign to religion as night is to day,
thus betraying and forfeiting the conf
dence and favor of the public, just so
soon may We expect the public to wrest
this day from us, and re-apprOpriate
and observe it in their own way, divi-
ding and destroying the interest of our
Sunday School excursions. This seems
to be the tendency now. Let
not the church prove false to
public confidence in this respect.
But we may look at it from higher
stand point. BY the excessive levity,
and vulgar rndeness of much of the
amusements common on such occasions,
the religious impressions on the minds
of the youth, resulting from years
faithful toll, are often frightened away,
and entirely lost.
The tendency of some of the plays is
positively demOrali2iRg. Copenhagen,
King William, and many kindred
amusements, may have had IN innocent
origin, but are becoming so abused that
people of refinement and virtue are rap
idly turning from them with disgust.
And we'll they may. Such plays, when
begun, are free for all alike. The daugh-
tiers of some of our best citi-
zens may be engaged in them,
and some vulgar fellow, of dissO-
lutte habits and foul character,
obtrudes himself into the circle or COM
pany; soon lie wins kiss from fair
girl who has no acquaintance with hi'n
would not be seen i'll his company nor
speak to him on the street-yet, because
il il the Fourth of July and a picnic, she
must be rudely siezed and kissed by vio-
lence, sometimes escaping by desper-
ate resistance with torn clothes and dis
heveled hair, presenting very sorry
picture for lady. These things do not
always occur, but they are dl'cdys liza
Die TO OccHr.
Let not gcntcel, virtuOus young la
dies and nice little girls show such anx-
iety, or even willingness, to be manlpu-
lated aud kissed by rough youths
and upstart, bantling boys, by thus
placing themselves in their power. Re-
ally engaging in them seems to be- a
challenge or invitation on the part OF
the girls to these excesses.
In the eastern cities, and many other
places, such plays have been discarded
and frowned down by the better por-
ton of society. Let such, together with
young ladies of culture and refinement,
discountenance them, and the end is
nigh in Wheeling also, and something
better will succeed them.
Iwould not have the Fourth a dull
day by any means. The children ought
to be happy and lively in innocent re-
creation and healthful exercise. Swings
ought to be provided, and reliable men
appointed to take charge of them, and
swing as many as can sit together, say
rive or ten minutes. Jumping the rope
the same lengta of time, grace hoop,
the hindermost of three, base ball,
prisoners base, foot races, and many
other amuSements where kissing is not
the object and the charm. Snch
amusements as have been objected to,
are unchristian, demOraliZiug and de-
structive of the very objects OF Sabbath
Schools.
Disorderly youths, and boys defiant
of authority, who IRISH about, hrng
pistols and firecrackers should not be
furnished with tickets, nor tolerated on
the ground. Policemen, If needed,
should be on the ground to enforce
faithfully the wishes of the officers and
managers.
Sometimes the abuse of these eXcur-
sions results from losing sight of al
most everything but to make II pay
This is wrong. The congregations and
parents out to feel interested enough to
furnish the funds and the paying feat
ure ought to be very subordinate
matter. Piety and religion ought to
reign supreme, and the fruits of Sun
day labor at home kept we'll in hand on
the Fourth of July.
We might have dialogues and recita-
tions for the children; a good cabinet
organ or two, plenty of Singing Pill
grims, or other music books, and let
the shady grove bo vocal with "happy
voices" Let stand be erected, and
all notified, before leaving town, to
meet there rs soon rs they reach the
ground, to hear the order Of The day, and
short address of welcome, and good
cheer. Before leaving, let all reassen-
BILE at the stand. sing and pray, and
hear q parting address.
These suggestions arc kindly thrown
out, as much for the future as the pres
ent, by SUNDAY SCHOOL WORKER.