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

worship on the part of those who wish TO worshp
but they ought to be enacted and enforced on the
ground of the general good and not on any pehef
held By any portion of the people.
III day of rest is secured by legal enactment Tor
all men to conserve the general good the manner Oh
using the day must be a matter OF indiViduai io
cry. within the limitations which secure TO each
the privileges which the law confers on all-that is
non-interference with the rights Of others
The general good requires the shutting up OF dens
of vice. places of dissipation, and all enervatng anu
demoralIzing pursuits and while the law may ho'
be able to abolish them completely. it ought to
specially guard against their evil influence on u
day secured for the general rest. This may offend
the senslbiltes of some. but If it secures rest ana
ouletness to all they must submit for the general
good. SO the general good may require the carry
ing of the mails the opening Of Libraries and parks
and museums, and while it may offend the religious
conscience to have these things done yet II they 90
not interfere with the freedom of religious worship
and ordered as TO compel labor from the
smallest number. the religious conscience must be
offended In the interest of society at large.
While as religious teachers we may regret that so
small number are attracted by our ministry, we
must lind our remedy in the power of persuasion
and not in the autl ority of legislation Which per-
Jains only to kingdoms Uf this world" Your re-
porters show that very large proportion OF non
church goers seek recreation rather than dssipa-
ton the parks and pleasure resorts are more fire.
uuented than the theatres and places of vice; the
police reports smaller proportion of arrests
for. intoxication and disorder on Sunday than ON
any secular dag. notwithstanding the fact that
wages are generally paid the preceding day.
These are encouraging results which may become
more and moro marged with the enforcement OF
prohibition against all traffic which interferes with
the general quiet and personal rest They indicate
an advanced moral condition over the state OF
things in cities where protection is given by law
to those who need rest.
In London, where Sunday laws are enforced,
one sees the rich riding in coaches and the poor
largely deprived of public conveyances; and the
home goer from religious service will pass on his
way lines of men Whiting for their turn TO
enter GROCERY when the hour of its opening shall
arrive. In Paris have noticed that in some quar-
tiers there has been large increase in the number
of business places closed in answer to the demand
for day of rest, and some parts OF Paris Sun
day have been found D, quiet and orderly as many
parts of London.
1t is to me a hopeful condition of things that the
enforcement OF our excise laws has been found
possible the most violent contender for personal
liberty must admit the limitation which the rights
OF Others demand. and the nOn-lnterferenco with
and respect for religious worship by population
demonstration of the right appreciation of republic
can institutions. The nOn-church-gOer must surely
respect the religious convictions of those whose
re glous acts provide for him and for his family
homes hospitals aSylums, retreats, and all the
benefits of charitable institutions, which also
largely influence public opinion IN securing him one
day in the week tor rest and while he may not
ccpt the religious doginas which these teach, lie
will rejoice in the practical translation OF these
creeds into good works.
All this may be the reaction from condition of
things which. however religiously based, not
IN former times wisely enforced; and some may
feel alarm that the day OF compulsory religious
observance Is passing has already passed away.
rey0lted from the methods of observance practIsed
in His day and IN teaching that the Sabbath was
made for man" advanced the best interests OF the
world by showing more excellent way of using II.
the 3ect felt for that day much to raise up
all other days to Its standard Tlghtness. He
denounced fol- His non Obser. ance of the Sabbath
even while showing liz how best to use and keep C.
The world has grown better and the Church Wi ser
under the influence OF His teaching and example
aud He will have all men TO come to the knowledge
of the truth.
That o. more than one-hat or the citizens Of
metropolis containing the largest foreign pOpula-
ton are members of churches or Of families under
religions Influences, and UNINTERRUPTED and pro-
tected in religions worship i. hat ~ he.gredter pro-
portion Of Others do not prOfans the day by excess
and rlUtous ungOdliness but pass 1t in decent and
well-Ordcred behavior; that (3 the number OF ar
rests for ntOXcatiOn and disordery conduct is les,
on Sunday than other days that ~ 1t has been
found possible in n great measure to close improper
places ard protect the unwise and unwary from the
solicitations and seduction. of saloons and dram |
influence to larger zeal and wiser effort those |
VINO believe ~ do not only IN day of rest but in
a day OF religious worship y. III. TIFFANY.
Ner- York, May II, 1888.