Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1872-10-14
Sunday Funerals.

zeal churches OF this city was held at noon to-
Association building for the pur pose of taking
| some action TO discourage Sunday funerals and
the disposition to defer funerals from the middle
| nerals on that day, especially when accom-
panied by bands of music and long proce ssons
draw crowds to the street, and Oftentimes inter-
Iere with pubic worship. The ministers par
ticipatlng IN the meeting do not wish il under
stood that they are opposed to Sunday funerals
when necessary, but they do oppose the te u
oency to defer funerals until that dsy.
TIE meeting was called to order by Rev. s. A.
wilson, and Rev. DR.. j. q. Butler was chosen
president, with Rev. 8. A. Wilson secretary.
Rev. Mr.. Dashiel stated the object of the meet
ing, a. above. He spoke particularly of the use
Of bands Of music on that day. and hoped publ
| opinion would be stirred mp TO discontinue IN
necessary funerals on Sunday. He moved that
committee, TO be composed of a representa-
tive from each denomination, be appointed to
consider what action should be taken, which
motion was adopted. and the following name
gentlemen were selected a. the committee -
Rev. DIR. Dashiel, of the NJ. T.. Church; Rev. DIR.
DriDkhouse, OF the NJ. p. Church; Rev Dr. Ran
kin, of the Congregational Church; Rev. Mr..
Boiler, of the Evangelical Church; Rev. Mr..
Mason, of the PRESBYTERIAN Church; Rev DR..
Butler. OF the Lutheran Church; Rev. j.. Ii. A.
johnson, OF the African NJ. f. Church.
Bishop Waymar, of the African NJ. r. Church
was among the visitors.
The committee, after consultation, reported
SERIES OF RESOLUTIONS,
whereasthe burial OF the dead uron the Lords
day should be avoided except ia cases of eX-
tTeme necessity for the following reasons,
namely:
l. Because it involves unnecessary work on
that day b. undertakers, livery stable men
haCkmen and horses, the superintendents of
cemeteries and their assistants, in violation of
the letter and spirit Of the fourth command
ment-'' In IL thou shalt not do any work thou
nor thy son. nor thy daU ghter, thy man servant
nor thy maid servant nor thy cattle, nor thy
2. Because il prevents such persons from ar
tending divine services.
3. Because it seriously interferes with the du-
ties OF ministers on the most important and Ia
bOTiOus day of the week.
4. Because bands of music PLAYING the most
frivolous airs on their return from the grave are
often employed attracting crowds into the
streets and disturbing public worship: There
fore
Resotred, That we earnestly protest against
these abuses, and request the members of our
congregations and the public in general, so far
as possible, not 10 select the Lords day for the
burial of their dead, and to avoid the hours of
public service and the employment OF bands of
music.
DR.. SUNDERLAND AND THE CITY PRESS.
DIR. Sunderland said he was glad this SUNDAY
question was at last to be noticed He referred
TO the controversy in which he was engaged
short time since with the public press and said
that all over the country, but partic ularly here
the christian Sabbath was disregsrded. He had
been told during that discussion that he could
not produce any proof TO show they had a Sab
bath. He thought if these resolutions were
passed the ministers here assembled would have
a perfect avalanche upon them on next SUNDAY
and before by the public press, both daily and
Sunday, il the conductors of that press should
dsign TO notice them at all. He desired to tell
them that the conductors OF the public press
were able to cope with the most learned men,
and they would defy the ministers to prove they
had Sabbath; they would quote Luther, Old
John Calvin, and hosts of others, and it is aston
ishing to see how many things they can quote.
al tell yOu, brethren, if YOU have never
been in the fight with them you had better stav
ont (Laughter) He thought the ministers
should have a permanent organization and
fight this Sunday question unitedly. He then
gave history of his fight on the Sunday paper
question, but said very little about the resOlu-
tons above reported, most OF his argument
being as to what he did to plSce the Christian
Sabbath where it belongs He said he could
fight them. He drove one fellow out of the
ChroEicle entirely. The trouble was the minis
tiers had no organ here. When DIR. Sunderland
concluded the chair (Dr. Butler) said he had
allowed q great deal of latitude SO far, but
would not co SO again.
DIR. Dashiel saw no necessity for the minis
tiers to be drawn into any controversy with the
public press. The resolutions were plain and
he felt assured that no newspaper would pitch
into them. Controversy was not always prOfita-
bic and it would be useless for the ministers to
go TO arguing with the public press as to the
foundation or origin of the Christian Sabbath.
RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED.
The resolutions reported by the committee
were unanimously adopted.
DIR. Sunderland moved that the resolutions be
put III ClICuidf u, Ithu III UDc cDurCneS and
printed in the newspapers If they will print
them.
DIR. Butler to DIR. Sunderand.-The news
paPeIs are on our side, doctor; they won't assail
Us on this question.
The motion of DR.. Sunderland was adopted
DIR. Parker, of the Calvary Baptist Church,
was appointed member of the committee on
resolutions, and q motion was adopted instruct
ing the committee above named to inquire into
The fe disability Of forming q permanent organ
ization to secure the Observance OF the Sabbath.
Bishop Wayman inquired il there was any
law against bands Of music on Sunday?
DIR. Sunderland replied that he did not think
there was. he Immediately went back to his
hCbby-the newspapers-and said you get ia
With these beastly editors and they will skin
you alive.
voice.-Suppose we do not 60 in2
DIR. Sunderand.-Weli, they will drag you in.
Why just let Us go to work to prevent bands of
music playing on Sunday and you will see these
newspapers go for the Metropolitan chimes down
there and give them tits. Laughter Ad-
jouIned.