Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1879-04-22
MEMPHIS APPEAL
TUESDAY, APRIL 2S1s79
DE. ROGGs,s sERnION.

The attention of our readers will no doubt
be arrested by the very full report Of the SER
mon of Rev. DR.. Boggs, which we publish in
to-day's APPEAL. One of the ablest divines
in this section, whatever be has to say is
always worthy of the candid consideration of
the people by whom he is known not only as
n pastor who at all times and in all seasons
istyorthy of his high and noble calling, but
ss S citizen who in the hour of sorest need
was an example Of what true manhood al
ways is. The subject of which he treats is
one that has been very thoroughly discussed
In these columns. 1t is a subject on which
the APPEAL takes the broad and liberal
ground on which majority of the people of
all the States stand-ground which has been
gradually wrenched from pugnacious, un-
willing and tyrannical Sabbatarians through
more than two hundred years It is the
ground that Luther, Calvin, Knox and all
the reformers occupied, and it is the
ground which is occupied to day on
the continent of Europe by Professionals and
Catholics alike. Nowhere is there so little of
Saboatarlanism as among the Germanic and
Scandinavian peoples. With them faith is
levened by rationalism, and in place of dog
ma there Is the freest Interpretation of scrip.
ture. And in the countries, too, where Latin
civilization and creed prevail, dogma has sell
dom nterfered with what custom has sane
toned and rendered only less sacred than the
DEGREES of heaven itself Ii is ONLY AMONG
the English-speaking peoples, with too many
OF whom liberty is interpreted to mean IL
eense, that the extreme view of the Sabbath |
obtains. From the days of the reformation.
these views have found as various expression |
as the changes in government or the moods |
OF nionarchs. Elizabeth, sturdy a defender |
OF frotestantlsm as she was, not only licensed |
theaters and games for the recreation of the |
people on Sunday, but went so far as to issue
orders In council regulating the same.
These games were, many of them, of
class so brutal as would be intolerable.
even to the least re6nSd persons, in this
day, and we know that the plays which the
virgin queen enjoyed and laughed most
hearty at abounded in language that would
not now be tolerated on a variety stage.
From her day to that Of the lord protector
the change was as great in this as in other
things. On Sunday we published a list of
the rules which were enforced in Puritan
days, In New England, aud which were but
reflex OF those that at the time prevailed IN
The mother land. Upon the restoration there
was q rebound, not quite to the extreme of
'ueen Bess's day, but to degree of liberty
.-ore nearly akin 70 that which dooont mon
's-1rs.- Sunday became not only a day of
est but OF recreation, and so remains until
he present time. Gardens were opened in
he suburbs Of all the great cities for the
'eneht OF the toiing million and public |
houses (more OF a curse on week days than
N Sundays) were allowed to be opened after
wo o'cloek. That is the law, we believe. in
England and Ireland to-day. In the United
'tates the very much moderated Puritan
dea largely prevails, Notwithstanding the ,
'reat influx OF German people since 1860. {
n New Orleans, st. Louis, San Francisco, C
,hleago, Cincinnati and New York I
My are the theaters opened for
ramatic performances and concerts. C
winch the leading artists and best orches. L
ras or bands of the country may be heard o
'r comparatively small sum. In all the i
Their cities such efforts to cater for the masses a
drowned down if not absolutely prohibited h
state law or city ordinance. Ia Memphis q
e are bound about as with hoop, and a =
lNorlty OF the people are compelled by Y,
w and by ordinances that we believe to be n
unconstitutional to conform to the demands ~
a minority whose views of Sunday obsery- r.
ace are Sabbatauan to the last degree. in
urely and altogether a matter of conscience. W
inday observances should be left to the in I'll
vidual. As to that as to all things else. -.
cry man should be left free to do as to him hi
ay seem best, pr 1vided always, that he does B
It disturb the peace CT trench on the "
ghts OF those who prefer to worship God a.,
ID give themselves to the solemn contem- W
atoms which the church on that ttay invites. W,
lie right to worship in peace is all that any an
an can demand, to insist upon more, to a. a.
escribs rules that accord with his religions OF
nvlctions, and insist upon their observance rio
all Others, is to insist upon conformity to
ctrine and dogma in as arbitrary a sense Nv y"
spirit as any es the countries Of Europe, su
erein ne church is degraded by connec- re
n with the State. Of
ttI