The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1874-12-10
CITY SUNDAY ADJUSTMENTS.
The Discourse on the Subject OF Amuse-
ments on the sabbath In the City of
New York.

The Discourse on the Subject OF Amusc-
ments on the sabbath In the City of
New York.
For some time in New York city a
theater gave regular Sunday night per-
formances, going Monday and paying
the fine which the State law inflicted as
a penalty. Now no less than seven
theaters and concert rooms are opened
on the Sabbath, and the matter is at
tracting attention. 1t is evident that
unless steps are taken against it within
a short time, all the theaters will give
their performances and matinees on the
Sabbath the same as on other days.
A city paper interviewed some of the
leading clergymen relative to the mat
ter. The Rev. George III. Hepworth
says The question is fair one, and
should be answered-What would be
the practical effect of opening the con-
cert rooms and theaters of New York
city on Sunday? cannot help feel
ing that it would be disastrous in the
extreme. The moral sensitiveness of
the community would be dulled. You
would divide the people, not as they
are now divided, into those who go to
church and those who know they ought
to but who do not go, but into those
who go to church and rigidly set their
faces against all amusement, and those
who 90 to the theaters and cease 10
even excuse themselves for not attend
ing religious service. Out of this
would grow very peculiar condition
of affairs. +
Again, it is very important, to my
mind, to make one day in the week as
different as possible from every other
day. do not assert this on the basis
of a revelation to that effect, though
that is very distinct, in my Judgment,
but on the basis of the general good.
Such a movement as that suggested
would at once break down the wall be-
tween Sunday and Monday and result,
not in making Monday as good as Sun
day, but in making Sunday as bad as
Monday. If it is argued that one day
is as good as another, I answer yes, and
better too. AS wedding ring is better
than any other ring, because of the as
sociations connected with it, so some
days are better than others. We need
one day when we can put on our best
clothes and indulge in our best
thoughts. The American Sunday is
the strength of the American people,
because we are eminently church
going people. * "
Lastly, I have strong personal OBJ
lection to this movement. cannot
conscientiously encourage a rival insti-
tuition which holds its services at the
same time that do mine. If brother
minister wants any of my people, and
they want to go, am perfectly willing
to shake hands and part with them.
But do not want theater or con-
cert to take them, unless it can do them
more good than 1 can.
Rev. j. Hyatt Smith says he imagines
musical or theatrical service SO pure
and elevated in character that it's infu.
ence should be good, and only good,
upon the hearer.
Archbishop M'Closkey says as soon
as any secular amusement interferes
with sacred exercises his voice will be
heard through the pulpit and not
through the press. He strongly op'
poses Sunday amusements.
The clergymen, the writer's and the
theatrical men are discussing the mat
ter with much earnestness.