New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-05-01
SrND1Y IND lie CENTENNIAL.

A good deal of excitement has been Occa-
stoned in Philadelphia 10y the question OF open
ing the Centennial Exhibition Oh Sunday.
After much hesitation it IL now decided ny
the Commission to close both buildings and
grounds upon that day. We refer our readers
20 the letter of our Philadelphia correspondent
for particulars of the matter. The general
opinion seems to be that if the first decision Is
10 be adhered to the last is q wise one, and
that it would be impolitic to open the grounds
and close the buildings. The views OF the
clergy have been taken upon the point by n
representative of The Philadelphia Times, and
we need hardly say that the current of ccri-
cal opinion is opposed to Centennial visiting
on Sunday. But very strong dissent from tins
il expressed by that eminent Unitarian preacher,
the Rev. DR.. Furness, who says plumply That
he would sooner shut up the churches than
=" the Exposition Archbishop Wood Ok. CO.
doesn't see how Sunday can DO dcsecrated
by simply assisting the working classes to
Z" study tho tIiumphs of civilization ana
" educationr Dr. George Truman, n minister
of the Society of (iiichsite) Friends, is of
like mind; but Samuel BEETLE, an Orthodox
Friend. "disapproyed of the opening" The
Rev. f.. L. Magoon CBaptisD ii for having
"every man follow his feelings and observe
"the Sabbath as he likes" "lf the opening
will benefit man spiritually" says Mr.. Pen
dlcton (Swedcnborgian), Il can see no objection
"to it, The Rev. DR.. Wehle of the German
Reformed Church secs no sin IN opening
These. however, are the views OF clerical
minority. On the other hand, large number
of bishops and other clergy" expressed them
selves strongly against what they regarded rs
q "desecration of the Sabbath We suppose
that large proportion of profcsscdly religious
people throughout the country will agree with
them. They hold the doctrine that the Sab
bath is of divine institution, and an absolute
cessation of secular employment on that day
of divine commandment. Of course, they are
opposed to Sabbath pleasure seeking. And yet
it is curious to find the Rev. Mr.. Jastlow, Rabbi
of Synagogue, thinking that duty to the
working classes requires the Commissioners to
opcn. But the Rev. Mr.. Jas;row said nothing
of the propriety of opening Oh Saturday, which
is his Sabbath.
The Board of Finance are unquestionably
right in their apprehension of trouble II the
buildings are to be shut up while the grounds
are to be freely opened to all corners. The
closing of the thst makes that of the other
necessary. So we shall probably follow the
example of England, and disregard that of
Paris and Vienna. The difference of opinion
to which we have alluded is the inevitable
result of different views of the day, and these
arc so Numerically opposed that there is but
little chance of compromise. Those who
have strict ideas of holy Sabbath keeping can
not be expected to agree with those who regard
the day as one merely of rest and recreation.
The former, being majority in the Commits
sion, and having besides the popular habits
and traditions for century on their side,
have practically enforced their opinions, and
10 these visitors will be obliged TO submit. Ii
will be all the more truly II National EXposi-
tion in thus fairly conforming to the National
habit