St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-12-12
SUNDAYIN WINTER.


Sunday is the one day in the week upon
which the masses are masters OF their own
actions consequently the proper manner OF
spending the day becomes one OF the most
Important of the social and religious prob
lens of the times. Whatever different views
we may take OF the proper observance of
Sunday, in one thing we must all agree,
and that is. the healthy human instinct for
variety and excitement must be afforded an
opportunity for legitimate satisfaction, or it
will seek one that is illegitimate. The
proper observance of Sunday is not so much
of a problem with the wealthy class. who
constitute but a small mite Of society. as it
is with those who earn their living by daily
toll and who compose the great bulk of So
cietv. The man who can take rest on week
DAYS doesn't need Sunday in the sense of a
DAY of relaxation. If he can satisfy the hu-
man instinct for variety and excitement
during six days Of the week he can afford
to make a recluse of himself on the sew
enth, and can observe the day according to
the notions of the strictest Sabbatarian
without the risk Of violating any physical
law. But not so with the man of toll.
To the man who is confined in
the shop or the mill at constant
labor for six days of the week the Sabbath
OF rest means not only relaxation from work
but it also means recreation for the mind.
Going to church twice and spending the re-
mainder of the day in a close room in nOis-
some atmosphere is not healthy recreation.
For wealthy people, whose homes are at
CHI hn,l-S nd
pictures. this is all very well, but it does
not answer the needs Of those who live in
tenement houses with little else than bare
walls to look upon. In the summer time
the parks are open or the labOring man can
take his family and go into the country to
find recreation. But Sunday in winter is
to him day of dismal emptiness. What
the nottingham wants is to have Sunday in
winter relieved of its dTeary features. for
until that is done Sunday as day of rest
is a mere mockery TO him. And thus it is.
too, that legitimate satisfaction being de-
MED 10 the healthy and reasonable human
instinct for variety and excitement. SO
many individuals are tempted to seek an il
legitimate satisfaction of this instinct, and
people who are not really of vicious teEden-
cies resort to the grOggerieS. not mer ely for
drink. but to find congenial company and
conversation. Man is q social being,
and the social instinct must be gratIfied.
How much better would it be, then, if the
community i'll its organized capacity as a
municipality would provide social entertain
ment Oh Sunday for the working classes
rather than To leave them 10 the
resort of finding it as best they
cam The establishment of public Sun
day libraries would be something in the
right direction. but would not fully meet the
want indicated. The opening on Sunday
of picture galleries and museums would be
a step further in the right direction. But
still something else would be wanted. As
we have said. man is a social being and the
social instinct must be gratified. A Sunday
club room would come nearer meeting the
want than anything else that could be sug-
gested. And it is not asking too much of
even those who emphasize the injunction to
keep the Sabbath day holy to suggest that
This social feature be placed under the d.
.rection of the churches. There would be
no violation of Sabbath sanctity in opening
a church parlor for a Sunday afternoon en-
tertainment which would not only be limo
cent. but which should have a distinct ten
dency to promote the intellectual and moral
life. Whatever would be considered as in
nocent or commendaDle in the parlor OF
private dwelling would not be out of place
in the public club room or the church par
lor. Reading and good music and simple
refreshments should be provided and the
opportunities of conversation in cheerful
apartments. 1t would be better that these
indulgences should be provided in the way
that we have indicated than that men should
he compelled to visit groggeres to find them.
Sunday in summer provides its own enter
-tanments. 1t is Sunday in winter that
needs looking after by those who are i'll
tereSted in beneiiting mankind
CHURCH CREEDS.