Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-07-19
The Observance of the Sabbath.

paper cannot be sent
The Observance Of the Sabbath.
The rapid growth In this country of Euro
pean Ideas In regard to the observance OF Sum-
day causes alarm to portion Of the religious
press, and the Christian Intelkgencer dealing
with the subject from the stand point Of New
York city, after asking whether or not "those
who desire to worship God " have any rights in
the city, goes on as follows:
care those who belong to and attend Chris
tian churches worth anything to society? Are
these Christian families of any value as such
to the community, or Is 1t desirable to drive
them away? New York and other cities have
lost many such families during the past fifteen
years. Middle class Christians have left the
cities In large numbers, one OF the motives be-
ing desire to secure quiet Sabbath and to
remove their families from the sight and infiu-
ence OF Sabbath dissertation. This emigration
will continue, indeed, Is likely to Increase.
A great deal has been said about the Improve.
ment In the value Of property by railways and
other conveyapceS Is 1t not worth while to
consider whether there may not be serious
depreciation through Sunday trains and excur-
SiOnS, keeping out or driving out those who
wish quiet and restful sabbath? Are Chris
tan people to be ccerced? Are they to have
nothing TO say In regard to their own comfort
and wishes: No one I'D the Church OF Christ
wishes to control the action OF any one outside
Of dne chqren nt exerS me na n OF t I'M enurca
to disturb him by his pleaSure-Seektng on the
Lords Gay In New York and Brooklyn there
are million and half OF people. Usually on
the Sabbath not more than 100000 seek recrea-
ton by railways. steamboats,, &c. A million
OF people are disturbed, are forced to submit to
serious annOyandeS that quarter OF a million
may indulge In Qualifications In no degree ben
land on the Sabbath. Three or four times 20 900
are deprived Of quiet and rest that the Sabbath
breakers may be INDUCED"
This article has called forth dissent from some
<,R -,
ing Post Of that city suggests that the Intelli-
gencer weakens its position by putting argu-
ments into the mouth Of the other side. Per-
sons may answer it In almost its own words.
care those" they may ask, ''who do not attend
church worth anything to society? Are fami-
lies who are attracted to New York by its ex-
cursion facilities to be driven away? Are peo-
pie who are not protesting Christians to be CO.
creed? Are they to have nothing to say In re-
gard to their own wishes? Nobody who does
not 60 to church wishes to control the action of
anyb body who does, but the man who does not
insists that his neighbOr shall not prevent him
from doing as he pleases on Sunday"
"Then again, are you sure that million OF
people are disturbed by the quarter of million
who go upon excursions On Sunday? Are you
sure that every man who chooses to stay at
home on Sunday is annoyed by the conduct of
VsVAy A1dA VIII uOOc uOe CuOOoC w SttJ DIT
home? Are you sure that among these millions
there are not many thousands who are indifrer-
emit In the matter, or are willing that the quar-
ter million shall do what they please? Are you
sure that more people go to church than 60
upon excursions? You do not give any figures
on the subject. Finally, how do the men, wo-
men and children who go to Coney Island de-
pr1ve OF rest and quiet the men, women and
children In church or at home? Are these COM
PEELED to go to the wharves and count the pas
sengprs, or to the beach and see the visitors en-
Joy1ng themselves"
In the opinion OF the Post, the true settlement
Of the difference Is to be found in the answer to
the question "What shall we do on Sunday?n
Reasonably considered, the question involves
something more than personal inclination.
purely selfish or arrogant answer, one way or
another, Will not serve. The inquiry touches
not merely persons who do not go to church, not
merely persons who go to church regularly,
but all members Of society. No citizen
can answer 1t fairly for himself without
taking his fellow-citiZeDS into the account
Protection In the quiet enjoyment both of the
practice OF going to church AMI the practice of
not going should be guaranteed. Mt only this
put public opinion must respect both sides
The nght-thinking and right-feeling man when
he asks himself, What shall do On Sunday?'
win not say, 81 will do as please" He Will
say, "In doing what please will take care
not to interfere with the rights of anybody
else" Now the impulse of the right-thinkinp
and r1ght-feel1ng man is safe guide for public
opinion.
1.-THE question them the Post says becomes
a practical one. What is the liberty which does
not Justly offend? How shall the rights of one
be adjusted to the rights of all? 1t should not
be hard TO draw the line. When our contem-
p0rary has recovered from its warm flush OF
emotion we have no doubt that 1t will see that
between the noisy and profane brawiers In the
corner GROCERY and the man who takes walk
in the Central Park with his family or goes with
them to Coney Island there Is an important
difference. We suspect that 1T will yet vel
come the Sunday excursion out OF town az a
welcome escape from the drunken Sunday In
town, and Will admit that the change Is good
one for citizens who themselves still cling to
the observance Of the Puritan Sabbath, or who
at least desire quiet and restful first day of
the week"
The discussion we have outlined above be-
tween the religious and secular paper de AIS
with question not local to New York, though
the facts cited have something OF a local char
acter. The points at issue have been raised In
Washington, and there has been a variance of
opinion between those who believe in what Is
called the Puritan Sabbath and those citizens OF
foreign origin who claim the right TO spend the
day, Or portion OF tI, In cheerful exercise, re-
Taxation and enjoyment after the home style.
But the manner OF spending Sunday
practiced by the latter has been so
orderly and so little obtrusiye upon the
opposite observance OF the day BY the strict
Saboatarians that no very heated conflict OF
opinion has occurred. Those who worship God
In the churches, and those who think they find
themselves nearer TO Him In the woods and
fields manage TO get along without much jarr-
Ing. The Sabbath is as decorOusly observed in
Washington, probably, as In any city In the
world There Is a rapidly growing class here,
as elsewhere, including many religious people,
who favor the opening of libraries, picture gal
lerie5 and museums TO the public on Sunday
IN order TO supply attractive and instructive
places Of resort for those, especially young peo-
pie, who may otherwise be drawn into dens OF