, 1879-05-19

Mms, lne subjects ot persecution: and oppressio
w ~n9ssser 1neS resided. and every considerable
form In Their practices to the established c1,s
toms OF society, when they could do SO withnn
direct sin. Rome took on the outward form c
9s1 Chr'stian country in the early part Of til
first Christian Emperor, Issued a deere
to the effect that Sunday should
kept in all cities and towns as DAY of worshi
and rest; but that in the country certai
branches Of agricu)tural labor might be carrie
on: that is, Sunday thus became the religion
that day with the exception named, and this e1
ception itself was stricken out BY the Counc
Of Orleans in 533. From that time on, Snnda
has been regularly observed md legally desta
ship and rest, but not by all peoples in tn
same manner or with the same feelings as to til
sauctity of the day. During the thousan
years Of the so-calfed Dark Ages, as ruiz
Sunday WAS but indiHerently regarded, not be
ing kept With anything like the strictness whfc
characterized the day under the English Pur
tans> Both the Latin and Greek Churches cav
| such prominence in their worship to certa
Saints days as to render it easy for th
Christian world, represented BY them, to b
| very tolerant in the use OF Sunday
Still Sunday was always regarded .
Holy Day whatever may have been though
| of some other days. Neither Is Sunday aliks
observed by all the nations OF Chrtstendom ever
] now. The French. especially in the 1argel
cities, make Sunday the free~and-easy day o1
the week; the Italians go to church on feast
| days; nnd the Germans noninatlY attend
! church on Sunday morning, and actually attend
| the beer-gardcn In the afternoon. In Great
| Britain and in the United States the religious
ance Of the Gay than elsewhere in Chrfstendom.
But, while we say this. it must not not be for
gotten that In all Christian countries there is a
distinct recognition Of the day rs 4 period of
Worship and rest. Whatever NAV be the pecu-
liar custom of the people, Sunday is readily
The shops are generally closed, labor usually
suspended, large portion Of the population
attend worship, and nearly all BY cleanliness
and order in dress show their regard for the
proprietes Of the day.
Guided by this general statement, We take up
the important practical question already pro-
posed. viz. How ought Sunday to be ob.eryed
in the United Statess We have here mixed
population. The jew with hts convictions in
favor OF Saturday as the day Of worship; the
German with his fondness, for the Sunday beer
garden: the Irish Catholic who possibly thinks
more OF certain saints days OF his church than
OF the obligation to keep the Lords Day,--and
thus on. 1t is obvious that We do not wish in
Sunday, nor m Italian Sunlay; neither do We
want a Puritan Sunday; and yet we do needand
must have SUNDAY as day of.worshtp and rest.
The important question is, How can We be tol-
yet preserve the day2 In other words, ought
there to be laws to enforce the observance OF
Sunday, and ought these laws To be made alike
binding upon all!
In seeking to ind the correct answer to this
question, We are first Of all introduced to the
fact that laws and customs favorable to such
recognition and observance OF Sunday are now
in operation in this country, and have been dur
ing its entire history. With the single excep-
ton Of Louisiana, there is not to-day State in
a. Int 1f %vt$ St @rr
form true. 49,.
We thus see that the issue is not,-shall We
enact laws to enforce respect for Sunday9 but
shall we continue the policy go long nnd so
:7idely practiced? Under the present arrange.
snent our nation has prospered, and many noble
secured. Why not then leave the customs Of
society as they area Surely those who ask for
so radical q change should have convincing
reasons to justify their demand. On what
grounds do they rest their demand4
1t is claimed that all laws which express partt-
ality for the first dav OF the week are opposed to
the genius OF our Government, and heace are
unconstitutional: that the State, as such, is
wholly civil institution, and has, therefore,
nothing to do With religion.
Unconstitutional Is an easy thing to say Of
O law that one desires to have repealed, and is
frequently said for lack Of something better to
say; but those who attempt to defend this posi-
tion will find themselves confronted by an array
than unthlnkng defamation to set aside
That Christianity is interviewer with the entire
structure aud history OF QUE Government, and
that it is, and always has becn part OF the coGu-
mon law OF our land, seems to us buE little less
than sclf-eyident- In proof Of this view VIC cite
such consioerationsas these: ::
The Pilgrims came to this country for freedom !
to worship God. The nation was thus born out
Of the desire to secure the privileges OF religious
liberty.
The Declaration Of Independence recognizes |
our inaliena5le rights as proceeding from God. !
The Articles OF Confederation Of the States, and
the charter OF the Northwestern Territory out |
of which Illinois was formed. contained 11 their |
for education and for charitable Gnd !
reformed institutions q recognition Of the law
The Convention for framing the Constitution
vas opened By prayer.
The President annually proclaims to the en-
tire nation day Of thanksgiving to God for His
mercies.
Upon some OF the coins Of the nstton is en-
grayed al expression Of our trust in God :.
Each branch of the General Government has
its Chaplain; and the army ind navy are also
supplied with Chap1ains as regularly commis-
stoned officers.
The President, members Of Congress and Of
he Judiciary Governors of States, legislators,
md other officials and officers OF the State, are
sworn into office In the use OF the Bible, and BY
II appeal to the God Of the Christians. uo.u;u.a
o make oath, in the name OF God, that they |
Yill tell the truth.
Churches and property used exclusively for
purposes OF worship are exempt from taxation.
cads he oo~s to tho psopc the sto
# Illinois, grateful to Almighty God for the
ivi1, political, and religious liberty which He
lath so long permitted US to enjoy, and LOOKING
0 Him for a blessing" etc. And this strong
anguage was deliberately reattrmed IN the
fit1 tim framed in 1H71 /