Saturday press. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1880-1885, 1881-12-17
The Sabbath Question.

EpiToR SATURDAY Pass No one who has read
Chapter ~ Of the Penal Code and who is toloraby
we'll acquainted with the interpretations which
courts hay. placed upon similar statutes on Sab
bath observance can agree with the editorial OF
the last Gdsett,, commencing Gather up loose
ends is good advice, DC"
This editorial goes on to say AS the law reads
anyone driving out for pleasure on the Sabbath
day ~ liable to be fined, DC. We will venture to
say that almost every one from the Chief Justice
down 10 the poorest Chinaman, il liable TO = fine
for his conduct oil Sunday" Now the law which
the editorial of the Gases believes il violated by
every one who drives to church cooks his
dinner on Sunday is Ms follows
"7h, lords day Is taboo; all Worldly business,
op,p.eu.,nts aud recreation ave forbidden Oh that
doy. and whoever shall keep open his shop. store,
warehouse or workshop, or shall do any manner
of labor, business or work except only works of
necessity and charity, or be present at any dan
cling, public amusements show or entertainment,
or take part III any game, sport or play on the
Lords day, shall be punished by a hne not e1-
ceeding ten dollars.
business, Rmusements and recreation are forbid
den on that day this part OF the law is without
| sanction. There Is no punishment prescribed for
those who do engage In business amusements or
| recreation, except of the description enumerated
further down in the statute that is to say the keep
ing open of ones shop, store, warehouse or work
labor, business or work except only works OF
necessity and charity; and the only recreations
that violation OF the statute and which expose
| u person to II penalty are dancing, any public
| sports or play.
Leaving OFF the italicized portion of our statute
| above quoted, it is almost identical with the
| Massachusetts law, which reads: Whoever keeps
| open his shop. warehouse, or workhouse, or does
any manner of labor, business or work, except
works of necessity and charity, or IL present nj
| any dancing public diversion, show or enter
tninment, or takes part III any sport. game or play
ON the Lords day, shall Ike punished by fine no,
| exceeding ten dollars for every offence"
The next Section reads "Whoever travels on
the Lords day, except from necessity or charity
shall be punished by nne not exceeding ter
dollars for every offence" This IL not to be fOunC
In a case under the Massachusetts, law, Judge
Hoar said that To save life to prevent or reliev,
suffering, and this in the case Of animals m wei
as men to rr.pa, ueedfH food for man and beast
to save property, as in the case of fire, flood o
tempest or other unusual peril, would unguest,on
ably be acts which fall within the exception: Bu
il is no sufficient excuse for work OH the Lord
day, that 1t would be more convenient or profits
BILE If then done than il wonld be to defer or oni
it," ~ Mass. 4O9 In this Kingdom, 1t has bee
held in accordance with the Massachusetts, deois
ions, that irricatug land for purpose Of sugarca
culture is not work of necessity 50 also til
running of q steani-tug ON pleasure excursion.
The STATUTES of New York State are similar. Here
as III those States, amusements which are OF put
lie character and which tend to disturb the rest an
! enjoyment OF those who believe in the sacre
character of the day, and who desire 30 to obsery
; it are forbidden. Works of necessity and chart
are defined to he, All acts which II IL morally
and proper should be done on the Sabbath
I'VE venture to say" that the Chief Justice vh
p drives to church in his carriage or cooks his din
ner, is not liable to be fued for this, nor IL q
J, | poorest Cinnamon liable to be fined for what !
u shall do 10 save his property from any "unusu
. | peril" -
u little reading and still less reflection will lee
. any Que To sea that our Sunday laws are not pee
u ary blue or puritanical, but are in accord VII
u those of the most enlightened, liberty loving, Al
% Christian communities on the face OF the giob
u Let the law stand as it now does.
n COMMON SKssH.
n -------
N