New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-03-18
TIE SUNDAY LIBRARY QUESTION.
SIGNIFICANT LETTER FROM THE REV. DR.
wASHBUIN.
The following letter from prominent clergy

WASHBUEN.
The following letter from a prominent clergy
man takes strong ground in favor of opening the puD
libraries on Sunday:
C,v,ry RrCToRy NEW YORK, Feb. 90 1872.
SIN: You have asked nv opinion as 70 ,e r goo
or evil of opening several o. our en- ho s OF our Young
men Allow to say, at the outset, tla' INV ~,
official right Whatever to Judge OF gdE 'nI ue and in
courtesy, therefore, wish to guard n{sc.l "E'. ci
seeming Intrusion, hu A. 1o health Of our citizens
] shall give you frank and full answer De 10 tue se'
principle ., .,.o .,,,, ,bother
the authority Of the sunday rest on the letter oI me De-
aloue or on The law OF apostolic an , nr h.
t own accentance of the latter opinion taught by the
wisest Protestant ReformcTs well ~ 10y the abc critics
OF today cannot see how even the most THEORY
need touch this question OF opening paec hnI r re-
We shall all agree that the word OF the lorn OF INC
Sabbath hest oracle. find That IN thlS, DeSon
any point Of Jewish morality, He insisted on mercy ana
moi sacrifice" that lie did not rOWn on the disciples
who plucked the corn, OF orbear s own WORKS 81 ha
ing. II there be case whore inc spill u r fr n
hngcrng thousands OF young men, our poor clefks ap
prcnticcs workers OF all classes or ages no Ha'o ho
Christian hOme-at best some cherries lodlnshouSc-
vet are intelligent, social, and clad 10 ma come goou
employment for their leisure day know wen me com
mon objections, would not doubt the dcNoul IceNhg
of those who use them but cannot see tbtlr lOCe IT
is SAID that the day should he spent IN wol-hP AZ
the church and quiet devotion al home confess lhat
cannot always help thinking OF those worthy critics OF
our Lord in the streets Of Jerusalem, when near inns
| from sou
Comfortable Gospel and the sacred opera IN thef
rich temples and then home 60 their SUNDAY dinner,
while there are crowds 10 whom church worship
is "a luxury they cannot afford. Let rs Know
that we may make our religion = rheWbrcdn'
which never feeds the hungry. IL Is hdld tial suth
secular employment weakens the feeling OF reverence
for the day claim the very opposite. We al Wish Z"
| make the Sunday "a delight AMI honorable NOthHs
sboud disturb It's peace rob of Its social a. wen "a
religious influence believe therefore, III wise, liTh,
pYobory against tie opening Of shops, or places
nf unsohcr character Social health needs tpose. Bat
this should be the hest reason for permitting such quct
recreation a. a good library gives IL VIII educate WIS;
and pure tastes II will make the day hcalthlul one
IL will take the young from the streets To holelh' re-
do them good To meet them in friendly way. But u Is
said again. by "thcm of old tme that sabbath break
ing of Onr worst cudenclr-, ana this WOMB D1 q
| step toward the license of "a CONTINENTAL SUNNY We
mourn indeed the growth of the evil set 10 Is wen 10
ask how far the StIatncss OF past rsdges has PROVOKED
The loOseness OF today. Nothing be clearer than
home. foruiddng to the workman. The young appreh-
ce by our needless restrictions, We lessen It's loving
authority We shall not make II less molly II we strive l"
| make il "a happy day.
But If have thus met. AZ hope The objections, may
now 90 further. claim It to be not only question
OF allowance but the duty OF Christian men 10 provide
put il in this practical way all who know in sad cXpe-
Renee what the want j.. II We DO not give pure en-
ployment sunshine frch air good books, all sources OF
social health simply leave these classes 10 thc Ius-
cnatiOns Of the dran-sOp AMI the gaming hell. What
our Christianity worth II II do not supply the need
Does at ali supply ii now honor reverent pety,
hut believe want more OF that religion which q
sound divine called fith IL good God anu common
sense
have here given you my dear Sir. my plain thoughts
on this matter. Let hope you may nud many
who agree with such views tue spirit of the New
Testament. and who Will maintain thcm because they
believe they make the Lords day trler season
of religious ana social good. Yours very fathinliy'
Chalie, Collins. esq. No. $40 Broadway, ny.