Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-10-14
KEEP THE DAY HOLY.
CHRISTIAN PEOPLE OPPOSE OPENING
The EXPOSITION ON SABBATH.
,f,s.Meoting Held and n Protest Adopt
od--sunday school Gathering
Episcopal Missions.

AHsr''EtA NifFtOHss
The mass mcetingat DIR. oge'schurch
Sunday afternoon, called by representa-
tiyos Of the Richmond clergy TO give the
Christian people of the city an opportu'
pity 10 unite in the expression OF the de-
are that the Columbian Exposition at
Chicago shall not be opened on the Sab
bath. was largely attended.
There were nearly eight hundred per
sons present, and great interest was man-
Tested in the proceedings.
Mayor Ellyson presided over the meet
ing, and in his opening remarks stated
Tie object for which it was called.
After service Of song a fervent
prayer was delivered by Rev. Jabez Hall.
THR OPENING ADDRESS.
Rev. DR.. J. B. Newton, who was the
Grst speaker, stated that the opening Of
the Exposition on Sunday would be a
violation OF the principles OF our fore
fathers. who founded this Government
On Christian principles. II would also
be n violation of the liberty OF the
workingmen. for many of them would
necessarily have TO be employed on
Trains and in the buildings.
70 the world at large, whom we Will
have invited, it would show our people
Il the worst light.
THE ONLY vEsTIGE or EDEN.
Dr. j. Wiley Biodsoe, the next
sneaker. said the Sabbath is the only
surviving vestige of Eden; and 1t is the
rouscryatOr of Our people. God gave
ms SIX DAYS in which 70 do our work, aud
it would appear uugrateiul TO demand
tbeseyenth. II O friend came up to
him while penuiless and gave him SIX
pieces OF money out Of the seven he
ial. it would certainly be exceedingly
ungrateful TO knock him down and rob
linn Of the seventh.
AgABBATH-OBsERyISG PEOPLE.
Dr. Hoge, who followed Mr.. Bledsoe,
said that this movement WAS IN tull
keeping with the ono in 1876 TO close
the doors of the Centennial at Philadel-
uni,. lie agreed with Mayor Ellyson
IN his remarks that We are a Sabbath-ob-
serving people, but thought we were be-
coming "A little lax in itsCbsorvance, and
TINS movement would bring us back III
tie night way.
qhe Sabbath. said the speaker, was
lho base OF a Corinthian column crown
ga with the spiritual life and develop
ment Of man, upon which rested his re-
Heious. educational, and moral ad-
vsntnpes. In England there had been q
movement 20 open hemuseums on sun
day and il was met with the strongest
cpuos.tion by all the trades unions. who
maintained that if the Sabbath could be
decorated with pleasure the same rules
would prevail IN business.
After Dr. Hoges remarks Mayor Ely
SOL .md it would be well to take some
formal action to secure the closing of the
Exposition on the Lord day. He then
read the following memorial, which had
been adopted 10y the churches of this
city in the morning and signed 10y their
pastors
"RlCmoND, VA, October u, 1890.
"To tho Coiuuibiaa Commission:
awe. the undersigned, representatives
OF the citizens Of Richmond, Va, be-
ieving tho Christian Sabbath to be a
divine institution, the reyerent OBJ
seryance Of which is an obligation Of
binding force upon all mankind to whom
Christian truth has come, and beng
thoroughly convinced that the best tenn
poral interests Of the individual and Of
society are bound up in the careful OBJ
eoryance of one day in seven as day of
rest and worship, respectfully petition
your honorable body not to allow the
Columbian Exposition to be kept open
TO the public in any Of its departments
ou the Sabbath day or any part thereof.
"Sigued by authority and in the name
OF - church, representing -
communicates
AnppTpn Avn SIGNED