New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-05-20

far at least as the safety aud essential Interests NJ
| the community will allow.
In the community as In the family certain
amount of work must be done bv some. in order IA
secure the welfare Of ALL But in the community n,
in the household the amount Of labor should la
reduced to the minimum required for comfort And
the work should be arranged and distributed
that no servant private public would be wholly
deprived of the privilege either Of rest or worshiu
on that day. careful and iudicvus dscrinn.
ton is therefore needed to determine the character
and amount of labor that is necessary AMI allow
| able.
1t is also perfectly competent for the civil author.
tiles in regulating all other traffic, entirely to SUD-
press the sale of intoxicating drinks that day OF
rest not only because in common with other trades
it nterferes with the rights and privileges of all en-
gagged In it. but because it is nmcal the peace
good order and wcll-beng of society, and disturb,
others in the proper observance Of the day Public
places of amusement to me to fall under the
same category as factories and places of business
where men are employed for the purposes OF gain:
and they ought to be closed. No plea Of Necessity
can be offered in their behalf. and all employed In
them need the day for the same purposes as other
worknen. Because Sunday is a divine ordinance
all men have q natural right enjoy i. boon
and are under moral obligations to keep it relg.
by high religious motives the duty of the govern.
ment would end with tho simple appointment Ct
the day. in order to secure it's common observance
But as many avowedly are not influenced by relg.
ious convictions and some covetoIs and vicious
the restraints of law are necessary to secure to
those who desire to keep the dav the peaceful and
uninterrupted enjoyment Of their rights
However much the fact may be deplorod, il 10 pat
ent to all, and especially confirmed by the article
referred to- that mutitudes of citizens are not
disposed to spend the day IN religious worship or
work Henrs, until they be led TO view the
question differently, and to appreciate the day asa
means of grace fitted to foster. strengthen and
beautify their spiritual lives. cannot feel sur
prised and not disposed hastily TO blame many
of the comparatively poor and toiiing classes for
seeking to spend part Of the day IN tie open air,
and 10 cheerful and innocent panionship rather
than 10 contine themselves and their families IN
narrow and cheerless apartments, situated no; IN
frequently AMID unattractive and unhealthy sur
roundiugs. Pure cir and social fellowship are
human necessities. For many who are disposed 10
read bnt who caunot procure books, properly Sc.
lected Libraries and suitable reading rooms wOnld
prove a source both of ell yment aud improvement.
IL 10 painfully obvious that the course of events
and the growth of popular sentiment tend to the
secuiarizatOn of Sunday as day OF business or
pleasure, especially the latter. For many who
willing to from labor on the da7 regard it
simply as holiday to be spent in recreation. sports
and amusements Of yarlons kinds aud thus deprive
the religious part of the community, and the Chris
tan churches generally, Immediately take wise aud
earnest to arrest and counterfeit his ten
dency it il to he feared that the remaining re-
sraints will soon be swept away. and the halOwed
Sabbath of our fathers will disappear. UDon the
Christian people of his city deyolves the cesponsi-
bility of preserving and perpetuaing the Lords
Day a day of rest and religious privilege. Let
them faithfully ob.eTve and consistently honor the
day la their households and churches Let them
commend its observance BY their example and
far sin their secure at any personal sacri
flee, to all under their control the full enjoyment
of it Let them put a charitable construction on
the vie VS. and practices of those who differ from
them. Let them all means to lncuCatr aud
disseminate right views OF the nature obligation.
design and adv antages of the day. Let them make
united, persistent and self deny ing effort to evan
gellze the entire city SO that to all the day m gnt
become truly the Lords Day-a weekly religious
festival. Thus and thus only hope to
for NewYork the invaluable boon OF n proper sun
day observance and to hear the 1t cDle " call the
sabbath delight. the holy OF the Lord. honorable"
Ne,c- York, May Is, 1888. W. ORMIsIoN.