The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1876-06-01
THE CENTENNIAL ON SUNDAY:
Letter from Archbishop WOOD

THE ARGUS having taken the position
some time since that the centennial CON-
missioners had acted very unwisely and
unjustly in resolving to close the great
exposition on Sunday thereby preventing,
many from witnessing the worlds wonders,
we are glad to find our views sustained by
so able and pious gentleman as Arch
bishop Wood. in letter in the Phil
adelphia Times, as follows:
HIS LETTER.
Mr.. Samuel L. Parish-DEAR SIR =
Though feel some difhdence in giving
my views of question on which the
minds of men are so much divided, yet L
could not bring myself to refuse an an
swer to your request so courteously ex-
pressed, especially in matter bearing
upon public morality and upon what I'M
wolves the true spirit of Christianity 10
the observance of the Lords day. In all
the debates and deliberations that have
lately taken place touching the propriety
of opening or closing the centennial
buildings on Sundays, L have seen nothing
that induces me TO change the opinion L
had already formed and expressed, VIZ,
that it is highly fit and proper that the
exposition should be closed on Sunday
morning to midday, but left open to visitors
during the hours OF Sunday afternoon.
1t would grieve me very much to see
the exposition remain open all day on
Sundays. This would be treating the day
as if it were an ordinary weekday, hav-
ing in itself no special religious character.
But the Lords day is holy" and such
should be observed. 1t was instituted
that Christians might publicly and united
ly, by prayer and thanksgiving, manifest
their homage to God, their Creator and
Redeemer. 1t would seem, therefore, un
fair to the deep religious sentiment which
must pervade every Christian community
to prevent or Illustrate in any way thi.
solemn duty of homage and praise. AnC
since the time set apart through all ages
and countries Of Christendom tor such re
ligious exercises has been chiefly the
morning, or the first halt of the day, moth
ing should be allowed during that time tC
interfere with this great obligation.
But the Sunday is not only day holy t
the Lord" it is also a day Of repose atte
the labors of the week. There should b.
nothing sullen or morose, nothing OF pen
itential gloom in the Christians week.
l.. rest from his daily toll. He should we
: come it as cheerfully, to say the least
as the labor by which he wins his dali
bread
1t should be borne in mind that the da
: of religious observance in the new law
Sunday. or as Christians have called it fo
i eighteen centuries, The Lords day, an
: not the Sabbath, which is no other tina
Saturday, and has been abrogated in th
new dispensation This is not the plac
to inquire how far the growing use or mis-
= use of the word Sabbath" may have col
: tributed to create false impressions in tn
!. minds of many, and lead them away trol
the true spirit of Christianity to follow aftt
those traditions of men" that are so ofte
n denounced in the New Testament.
S only state my conviction, derived from tt
y perpetual practice and teaching of tn
8 Church Of Christ, that any innocent r
l. creation is quite com patible with the no
e ness and repose of the Lords day, aft
l. he has discharged his religious duty
his Maker. Among the means of innoce,
n relaxation Of soul and body | can see mol
t more harmless than an afternoon visit
!. the Exposition, where the poor and labc
e ing classes land they are most numero1
If among u.s. may enjoy few hours
e rational pleasure in examining the produc
Al of genius and the specimens IF art al
mechanical skill which have been gathert
together in the centennial buildings. SUI
"a visit will improve and elevate the
!, minds. Indeed | believe that it will ha
y, y a most beneficial effect; that it will tie,
g to prevent many disorders, and to chez
- to a great extent, that Dissertation of {
= Lords day which is, unhappily, growi
:. evil in the community.
| am, very respectfully, your obedie
servant in Christ.
n JAMES T WooD,
O. Archbishop of Philadelphia
10 CATIIEnp phila1alnhia Mavl3 49,