Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-06-05
Reai~ious Riehts and CiviI Rights.

Reiigious Rights and Civil Rights
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= cardinal principle u the system Of jsfis
, prudence which has been here established
! The government guarantees protection to 81
Ieiaizens ON cosdition that they obsys the Laws
II says that each man has rights, that no mar
shall interfere With mothers rights. and thai
whoever violates this rule Of Justice shall b
punished. Within town, State and national
Jurisdictions this just Law is in force Among
the many privileges thus secured to the peo-
ple Il that of holding public religious meet
iugs in churches, halls and other buildings.
II il expected that such meetings will De con-
Quoted in an orderly manner and that nothing
directly connected with them shall be done
unlswfully in either = legal or Christian
sense. The legal demand 10 in keeping with
the Christian requirement..
i The representatives of an organization
whose avowed object il the religious improve
ment Of the people, especially OF classes tnat II
il claimed the churches do not reach, come to
this and other Maine cities and announce
their intention to hold daily services ior
protrscted season. Their meetings are held
| in halls. Much time 10 spent in singing. At
arst the musical instruments used are tam
bourines. Attracted by the novelty of the
operatiops large numbers attend the meet
| inss. Manv collections are taken and fire.
ouent remittances are made to the chief OH
GERS Of the organization under whose direc-
tiou the meetings are held. Contributions
| of money and goods are solicited from store
keepers and others, by the parties in charge.
Street marching 10 introduced at the begin
ming of the meetings, and every even
ing the local managers and their converts
march over portion of the business highway
1t the the outset beating only their tambour-
ines in connection with their Justify rendered
songs. Soon drums are added to the musical
equipment, and in the hall and street they
nightly appear and are vigorously pounded,
sinaly and in connection with the singing, to
notify the people that meeting is soon to
begin or 10 in progress.
The hall Ia this city occupied by the relig-
ionists to whom the above statement applies
10 located midway Of t,e main business street.
The preliminary drumming and the regular
sidewalks, and insured full and profitable
audiences at the opening of the successive
exercises. The noisy demonstrations on the
street. occasioned by the procession and by
rude spectators, startled horses and put the
occupants of carriages and others in danger.
The blockading crowds interfered with side |
walk travelling and the business of the
traders.
About ten days ago Mayor Weeks by |
official order requested the leader of the hall
forces and the manager of the skating rink to
desist from the employment of drums on the |
public streets. and called attention to the city
ordinance which fOrbids their use without
permission Of the city authorities. The con-
ductor of the amusement hall complied with |
the request, but the captain Of the religious
forces chose to defy the authorities, and the |
army of a dozen or more representatives of
either sex for four successive nights came
forth bearing their drums. Only the drum
mers were arrested for three nights, but on
the fourth the entire company were secured.
The municipal judge imposed a fine, to
which appeals we're made to higher court
and the required bonds given.
The question arises, should q company of
religonists be permitted to conduct in such
manner as to interfere with other peoples
rights and by so doing violate laws which are
intended to afford them and all others protec-
ton? To approve in the name of religion
what is rigbtfuly prohibited in civil affairs is
to weaken respect for the law and to encour-
age lawlessness. Christianity sanctions moth
ing of the kind 1t counsels obedience to
the governing power. And in this age, and
Ia this country whose laws secure the fullest
religious liberty compatible with the broadcast
civil liberty. the cry of persecution or intol-
erance by those who are asked to conform to
just laws-and who are made to do so if they
have not enough of the gospel spirit to in
cline them to willing obedence-is too So
phistical to be entitled to acceptance by can
did minds One Of the marks of a christian
soldier is readiness to obey good laws. and to
abide by those which are unacceptable while
working to make them better. This is
a lesson taught by precept and example. by
1.-THE Captain of our salvation" and his
apostles. a-l.1
The use of musical instruments In relig-
ious meetings, Is allowable, as is their en-
plOyment at the place of meeting to inform
the public Of the hour of opening a service.
The choice Of instruments for this purpose is
free to those who use them. But when such
instruments are noisily operated in the streets
the character of their use is changed at once.
Were the pastor of city church and his
flock to make daily marches through the
streets, dinging church bells, playing church
organs. and singing hymns in vociferous
tones. would 1t be called religious service
or part of genuine worship? 1t would be
declared a nuisance and treated as such be-
fore many days were passed, even though the
irreligious clatter should be produced by re-
ligious people who were conscentiously slim
ulated by sensational ideas, a prospective col
lection at the church, and desire to add re-
cruits to the ranks of the saved.
Paul would say to directors of meetings in
church and hall, ''let all things connected
with your worship be done decently and in
order" This Is all that eur city authorities
demand in the case of characterization with
which they have to deal. There 10 not a
particle Of persecution in the enforcement of
the violated ordinance. The rights of the
offending parties have been maintained BY
the city officials. 1hey are civilly asked to
civilly conduct themselves on the streets. A
Judgment that condemns such . request needs
to be enlightened, and Conscience that re-
fases acquiescence 10 in need Of tonic treat
ment.
The Augusta POstmastorship.
Fran tho Rrooklvn Esola