The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-05-30
LETTERS FROM THE PEOPLE.
A Dcfense of sunday Trains to ACTON.

a Defense of Sunday Trains to Acton.
To the Editor Of the Indianapolis journal
A tent holder for years at the Acton camp
grounds, and one who voted for all the propo-
sitions to close the gates and stop the trains, de-
sires to present the facts as to the real question
voted on at the meeting of tent-hoders, and also
offer a few thoughts as to the merits of the ques-
ton. In the first place, none but t~ent-owners
can vote, and therefore the result was the opin-
ion of those who had been on the grounds and
observed the results of running trains at all
hours on Sundays.
| most heartily indorse the efforts of the
journal and other newspapers, and all citizens
to preserve the %sanctity of the Sabbath, but
suggest that there is fundamental error in
CHASING chureh-going with base ball games and
shooting park exhibitions. If, under our statute
law, and the the law of God, there is
no difference, then most of the com
ments are correct; if there is,
then most of them are entirely wrong. One pa
per asserts that there is more harm done at
camp meetings than at the base ball game. If so,
then You are all right in the unsparing Genuncia-
ton of these psalm-singing hypocrites.
What was the question voted upon? 1t was
known that the trustees of the association at the
close of last camp meeting had resolved to close
the gates. and, if possible. stop all trains after
1880 A. NJ. until 4 P. NJ, on Sundays. This WAS
not enough, in the opinion Of many present, and
hence the resolution of DR.. Marine to close the
gates all day Sunday, was offered. The vote
simply tested the question whether it was best
to close the gates, and let no one in that came to
the grounds in any way, or whether the gates
should be left open for persons to enter except
as limited by the above action of the trustees.
The second motion, of DR.. Gillett, presented
the question whether no trains should be
run, or whether the action of the trustees
was the best course. In the first place, as to this
second proposition of DR.. Gillett, there never
was a proposition submitted to the association by
the railroad that it would run no trains on Sun
day, and all there was of that may be stated
briefly. When the association was considering
the proposition to stop Sunday trains. some one
suggested that the railroad woulddo as it pleased
about that; then it was stated that some officer
had said that they would run no trains if Che
association desired, and that drew out the further
expression that the railroad meant by that to
stop no trains at the camp grounds at any time,
if they were stopped on Sunday. This is all
there was of proposition from the railroad about
which so much has been said. We think that
all present were anxious to stop the excursion
trains that emptied a promiscuous crowd at the
grounds for mere sight seeing, and after usual
preaching hours; but there is no doubt but the
ffty-three desired that some means shall be pro
vided for people to get to the meeting on Sun
days, in the cars, and between the hours pre-
scribed by the board of trustees.
The conference, preachers meetings. newspa
pers and Roberts Park and CentralaHenue
churches all argue from false premises, as it ap-
pears to me-. All put a religious assembly, where
the Scriptures are taughtand the gospel preached,
on the same moral and legal status as base ball
and shooting parks, etc. If these premises are
right, then the '|hymn-singing hypocrites" de
serve all they get, and more too. Again. the
statute law of our State as strongly prohibits
violation of the Sabbath as does the law of
Christ. 1t allows nothing to be done that the
law of God does not also prohibit. (Seetion 2000
of fha Revised StatutAS. lllEp xiii IL. John V
10; Matthew XII, ITO, etc. Therefore, we
say that every citizen should be held by the
same rule in obedience to the law. | submit a
few thoughts that may give some light on the
subject and aid in the discovery of the truth,
and which ought to present the ''hymn-singing
hypocriteso in a better light than their brethren
and outsiders have been showing them.
The law of God, and the statute law sets apart
Sunday for rest from ordinary labor, and wor-
ship, and preaching the gospel If people meet
for worship and instruction in the Scriptures on
Sunday, how are they to get to the place of such
Much has been said as to how people can be
best induced to attend divine worship on the
Lords day. The best people think the most of
this. and spend the most time and money i'll try
ing to bring all classes under gospel Influences.
The Methodist conference, the preachers meet
ing, and even the good folks of Centralavenue
and Roberts Park will not contend that people
ought not to go to church on Sunday, and will
let them walk, ride in carriages drawn by
horses, and even in cars drawn by horses. / am
informed that even in indianapolis street-cars
run every Sunday, and bad people ride on them,
and have thus been transported to some
good churches, and heard the hymn singing OF
good, consistent people. and able sermons. with
out being injured thereby. Now these ffty-three
tent-holders, mostly from the country and
country towns, could not see why good and bad
people might not as well be brought to the camp
ground by steam as to walk or ride in other
vehicles. Indeed, some of them said the Bible
command was that thine OK, and ass, and the
horse should rest on the Sabbath" which could
not be fulfilled if they were driven to church.
Suppose a thousand persons would attend the
camp meeting on Sunday if they had a chance,
that would not otherwise go to any church. This
we think a low estimate. They could all go on
one or two trains, by the labor of five to ten
men: then these men could run the train on the
switch and attend church, if the plan of the
trustees was adopted.
To take the same number in carriages would
require 200 men and 400 horses, and the men
would get but little church benefit and the horses
no rest and but little food. Which is the most
scriptural observance of the Sabbath, and best
COMFORTS with the spirit of our statute law
Again. many poor people in the cities can, in no
other way, have the opportunity of taking their
wives and little ones out to Gods first temple
and hearing there the gospel and 'hymn sing
ing that to them Simple. glad SOULS does not
sound 'hypocritical.N These people have reason
to thank the railroad and the camp meeting
folks for this, and they do thank them. The
writer of this has tented on thee old camp ground
for many years and has observed the good and
bad effects of Sunday trains-the glad, thankful
heart, escaping from the crowded city, and the
labors of the year, to the green woods and happy
songs of worship, as well as the debauched loater
who came for fun or dissipation-and ventures
the assertion that to close the gates of the grounds
all day on Sundays, and to allow no persons to
come there on the cars, is wrong, and cannot be
sustained by Gods word, and is opposed to the
command and theory of the general church, and
cannot by any technicality be construed into a
violation of the statute law.
Is it the number that can thus get to church
that is objectionable The tent-holders thought
that an advantage. You might as we'll turn
away folks from your churches, because too
many come. Is it because they each contribute
ten cents to the support of the gospel in that