St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-10-13
Presbytepians Vehemently
Oppose Sunday Opening
Of Worlds Fair.
The Faithful Will Be Asked
to Boycott the Great EX-
position
IF the Directors Should Dare
to Desecpate the Lords
Day.
Duluth Selected for the Next
Duluth Selected for the Next
Meeting--Routine Of the
Synod.

though enllvened by spirited discussions
Oh matters relative to the moral tone
outside of church circles. Rev. Clarence
G. Reynolds, of St.Paul, proposed res
olution in the nature of boycOtting the
Columbian exposition in case it was de-
cided to open its doors on Sunday. The
introduction of resolution Of that kind
tested the temper OF the clerical body,
and after its reading considerable
number of gentlemen arose and claimed
the right to discuss the proposed meas
ure.
Elder w. S. Wilson, of the House of
Hope church, said such a resolution was
not unexpected, and he had anticipated
variance of views. He opposed the
theory of adopting merely perfunctOry
resolutions, of which no notice would be
taken by persons intended to be reached.
The synod knew such resolutions to be
meaningless and therefore harmful. As
for himself he should not lend his pres
ence or sympathy to the exposition If
opened on Sunday. He believed that
every member ought TO go on record as
pledged to keep away from Chicago. and
to use his influence to keep Christian
people away from the fair If the COM
mandS of God and the preeeptS of the
church were outraged by Sunday open
ing. The resolution was not cOmpre-
hensive enough IN his view. The church
is strong enough If eXerted over the
Christian people to cause them to give
such Sabbath breaking the cold shoulder
and close the gates, not only on Sun
day, but entirely for lack of patronage.
DIR. RingWald, of Duluth, expressed
NipyUc az Uoriannp with ElHnr Wilson
His theory is that the people would be
better employed in walking about the
exposition buildings than in aimless
wanderings about the streets of
a city like Chicago. The sew
eral phases should be considered
for the purpose OF ascertaining in which
way God might best be served. 1t may
be possible that Sunday opening would
be less harmful than the alternative.
The discussion was general and
showed that large majority favored
Sunday closing, while minority
favored leaving the question to the con
sciences of the people. A number
favored amending the resolutions so as
to request the Minnesota commissioners
to
Cover Up the Exhibits
of the state on Sunday. Several amend
mentS proposed drew out renewed dis
cussion. The matter was under dis
cusslon when the noon recess time came
and was renewed at the afternoon SEES
sion. The result was the adoption of
resolutions as amended TO read as fol-
lows:
Whereas, There is reason to fear the board
OF directors ana commissioners or the worlds
Columbian exposition may be induced to
open the gates the Lords day; and,
W hereas, Such All actwould be in violation
OF the Christian sentiment as well as the
customs and laws of the American people;''
therefore
Resolved, First-That we as a synod rep
resenIing The Presbyterian churches in the
state of Minnesota firmly and solemnly pro-
test against such proceeding, and call upon
the management speedily TO determine the
question.
Resolved, Secondhand if the remon-
STRANGE of the law-abiding citizens and
Christian church throughout the United
States against the proposed opening of the
Columbian exposition on Sunday be I'M
needed. we may deem it our duty 10 dIscour-
age the Presbyterian people of the state of
Minnesota from contributing IN any way TO
its success either by their presence or their
exhibits
Resolved, Third-That our state committee
OF the Columbian exposition be requested 10
use their influence TO secure the closing of
the exposition on the Sabbath, and, in case
these efforts fail. that the Minnesota COM
missioners be requested TO close the depart
menlS OF the minnesota eXhlDltS on the Sab
bath, and that our stated clerk be directed to
forward the entire action on this subject to
said commissioners.
Down TO Routine.
A fair amount OF routine business was
disposed of during the day.
The standing committee on publica-
ton and Sabbath school work for 1891
reported recommendations as follows:
First-That the synod approve the plan
suggested by the state missionary looking to
a Synodical Sabbath school convention TO be
held about the time of the next general as
sembly, when the services of Rev. DR.. War
den and others may be had.
Second-That it is the conviction of the
synod that if publications for the Sabbath
school could be furnished in the Scandina-
Wan languages, it would greatly facilitate
work in that class.
The report was adopted.
The report of the committee on church
extension was read, showing aid given
churches erected and in course of con-
struction. The report of the synodical
superintendent was submitted, and Rev.
Adams, ID. d.. of South Dakota, the
synodical missionary, spoke at length
on needs of the church in mission work.
Resolutions of respect to the memory of
Elder II. p. Van Cleve, of Minneapolis,
deceased, were adopted. Rev. Jacob
Kolk spoke of the work of the German
paper published by him and distributed
among German Presbyterians.
The committee on presbyterial boun-