The New Orleans Democrat., 1876-05-21
sUNDA y.
what the Archbishop of plsIlaaelphi q
Thinks-A Proper View.
lChicago Times.l

4 [Chcago Times.l
Il see no objection to opening the
grounds on Sunday If they are not
thrown open until noon. after every one
has had an opportunity to attend
church or mass. The Sabbath is not
only a day OF rest and devotion, but OF
recreation also. 1t is the poor man 8
holiday--the only day on (which he can
seek pleasure. He loves the day. 1t Is
his day-the only one out Of seven. The
rich have the whole week for pleasure
but the poor are confined to Sunday.
don't see how it can be desecrated by
simply assisting the working classes to
study the triumphs Of civilization and
education
This is the utterance OF the Catholic
Archbishop of Philadelphia on the
question of throwing open the Centen-
NAL Exhibition on Sundays. The po
sition he takes is just and liberal, the
very reverse OF that held by the puri-
tanical gentlemen who have taken upon
themselves to close the gates in the face
of the world, and force upon protest
ing public their own peculiar views. No
body OF Christians has a greater respect
and reverence for the Lords day than
the Catholic. Upon the members of
that denomination the attendance upon
divine service at least once on Sunday Is
compulsory, the result being that at the
masses. always celebrated In the morn
are crowded. be the weather or the sea
son what 1t may. But the formal devo-
ton due upon that day having been dis
charged, the worshiper is at liberty
to pass the remainder Of it In such inno-
cent recreation as may seem best to
him. The stroll or the drive that Is
healthful, both physically and mentally
on Saturday, cannot be other than
wholesome on Sunday, and it is not
prohibited as sinful or unholy. What is
true Of the form OF exercise and pastime
mentioned holds good as to every other
rational enjoyment. Bishop Woods
sentiment of the Catholic Church upon
the question of Sunday observance. In
the eye of the church the first day of
the week is both holy day and a holi-
day. It Is not the Sabbath OF the old
law, but the Sunday of the new; not a
time of gloom and austerity, but of
thanks and rejoicing.
The most jealous Sabbatarians are
mere Pharisees. Having laid
up on earth treasure that they are care
ful shall not be corrupted by the moths,
by rust. or broken in upon
or stolen by thieves, the strut before
Cne LOTu. CnA0klHS MIN CIldJ Cney are
not like other men, publicans and sin
ners, but, on the contrary, very worthy
and respectable gentlemen. as may be
seen by the balance Of their bankers,
and the unclouded abstracts Of title to
their corner lots, in whose company the
Lord will appear to excellent advantage
II longest in reaching to the depths Of |
their pocket upon some occasion calling
for the exercise Of charity and benevo- (
Ience, they are the loudest in unctious s
prayer for the sinner Having a car '
riage and horses with which to roll to
church Of a Sabbath, they are eager to
suppress the running Of horse-cars on
hat day, lest the poor by riding in them {
should offend the Lord. Blessed with {
! stately and well-ventilated house, and ,
ample and highly cultivated grounds in
which to recreate on the holy day, they {
demand that the parks shall be closed,
n order that no opportunity may be
given the lower class to desecrate the +
,acred day. We do not mean that this i
atter-day Pharisee is a typical Sabba- !
arian, but If he is not representative, !
le is by no means rare, and he was po- r
ent on the Centennial commission.