Morning journal and courier., 1891-04-06
VIGOROUS EXPRESSIONS.

Some Opinions on Sunday Observance
 bYthe Columbian Exposition-Why
 1t Should, and Why 1t Should
 Not, be Open on Sunday-Sermon eA
 the Inward Calling to Righteous
 ness.
 Rev. MT. Mutch, pastor, preached in Howard avenue Congregational church yesterday. He prefaced his sermon by few remarks. which he considered very important, on the question of keeping open the Columbian exposition on Sun day. It is called to our attention by the circulars recently distributed, and is a matter on which we should all have an opinion, as two men are sent from our state to represent the management. There are two questions to be asked: Why should it be open on Sundays and, Why should it nota To the first of these it is answered: For recreation of the laboring classes. Now we all sympathize with this motive; but to attend the Co1um- bian exposition would furnish neither rest nor recreation, and, furthermore, they could find ample opportunity to go in the Saturday half holiday given them in Chi cago. Besides, the exposition is not for Chicago's poor, but for the world. There is another reason-to make money. We have no fear of their losing money on this account, as ample appropriations have been made, and, over all, it would be dis graceful to give the world such an exam pie of American greed, and we should not let this reason be concealed behind the other, as is the case. Now we ask: "Why should it not be open on Sunday" First, if x.yor116 totally Hastrov fha Sunday idea. for all employed in it-clerks, railroad officials and all. Second, it would obliter- ate many of our customs which distin- guish Sunday above other days. Third, to do it would be to break our statutes which have no right to be broken, and are too good to be repealed. Fourth, it would be notorious precedent for flu ture schemes, and disastrous setback to Sunday observance. Fifth, it would be @ fragrant violation of the American spirit. Sixth, many valuable exhibitors would re- fuse to have anything to do with it. Lastly, it is against the expressed opinions of all Christian people, and against eco- homie as we'll as moral principles. MT. Mutch then read petition to the Wash ington committee on this subject, to be signed by members of the congregation. The sermon was from H. Timothy, i: 8, g. The preacher said that we can only ac- count for some things in us by the exist ence of a great personal, spiritual being, around us and in us. The makeup of our being is not such as to expect some mo- tives, as for instance, benevolence. In this way Christ himself accounted for those great things he did, saying, 'I do not these things of myself" Each one feels this holy calling to some degree, and it rises above the level of the world It is cast on different plan. It is the first firm footing we have in religious thought, and goes back of the Bible. We can rebel against it, but the more we do the greater is the yawn- ing abyss within us. This is not only an evidence of clear spiritual being, but of the very existence and power of God for which we should rejoice. II may call for great sacrifice, but it also gives us power to bear all we give up. We know not what we can bear until we are called upon to bear it and here is the difference
 between suffering in this and other call ings, not in the amount, but in the power to bear, and no wonder for have we behind us the whole power of God. Let us treas. ure this calling for it bids us be more un- selfish and Christlike and let us labor for it for it is of God and not of man.