The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-04-23
SUNDAY AND THE WORLDS FAIR.

| falr snOulu De kept open on ouuuhy. an
overwhelming majority, whether Roman
Catholic, Episcopal, Reformed Episcopal,
| Methodist. United Brethren. OF Evangelical
| Association, unite in an emphatic expression
OF opinion that to allow the great Exposition
to remain Enclosed on Sunday would be
| profana ton and dissertation of the Sabbath
which would do much to lower the character
of the day throughout the whole country,
and leave an impression upon visitors un-
favorable 10 the general spirit of the Ameri-
can people.
The observance Of Sunday" wrote Arch
bishop Riordan. Of San Francisco, is inter-
woven with our national life. social customs
and religious conduct. and they should not be
outraged by any act or declaration of the Gov
| eminent or of the directors who have charge
Of the National Exposition. The moral prin-
ciples underlying our government and family
| life are Christian, and are kept vigorous by
the action of Christian teaching, and no
teaching is more important and fruitful than
that the Lords Day should be day of wor-
ship. and of rest for body and for mind"
In expressing himself thus the Archbishop
| seems to have voiced the sentiment of most of
the leading dignitaries Of his own church.
who contributed their views to the indie
| pendent.
! Bishop Howe of Central Pennsylvania. one
| Of the most distinguished officers of the
Protestant Episcopal Church in America, was
equally firm in the expression of the same
sentiment, and his words may be quoted as
rejecting the feeling which prevails among
his,colleagues in his own denomination. I'VE
propose at this Exposition" he wrote, ITO
show the world our agriculture, our manu-
features, our advancement in the arts. our
success in popular government, our civiliza-
ton in all its aspects. Why should we not
disclose also what many of us believe TO be
the palladium Of our national prosperity and
| greatness, the sacred observance of the Lords
| Day? That is an American institution. And
! if it surprises and rebukes the usages of those
| foreigners who may come to the fair, so
much the better. The lesson will be all the
more impressive
Bishop Cyrus d. Foss, ot the Methodist
Episcopal Church. expressed the opinion Of
all his associates of the Methodist denOmina-
ton, whose views are given when he wrote:
II would deeply deplore the opening of the
Columbian Exposition on Sunday. This con-
tinent seems to have been covered by the
hand of God from the sight Of the Old World
until it could be Christianity planted. The last,
best hope of freedom, morality and religion
is here. To secure these highest interests Of
mankind, think the Sabbath mot broken
but kept is essential, and that il should be sa-
credly observed, not as a day Of amusement,
but of rest and worship. To transplant the
continental European Sabbath to this cOun-
try would be to sap one Of the strongest foun-
dations of our religious life and TO un-Ameri-
canize America"
Bishop j. Dickson of the United Brethren
Church wrote:
II am decidedly in favor of closing the
doors Of the Exposition 10 he held in Chicago
on the Sabbath Day. am thus decided be-
cause 10 do otherwise would be violation of
plain law of God. And because also it would
tend to destroy the sacredness and weaken
our regard for day that has been found to
be so valuable in promoting the physical as
we'll as spiritual welfare Of man.
Il would add that the Church in which |
have been an active minister for over forty
five years, preachers and laity, will be found
almost if not altogether aunt in this matter.
Our motto ..as a Church is, Remember the
Sabbath Day to keep it holy"
The opinions of the Bishops Of the Re-
formed Episcopal Church and of the Evan
gelical Association are equally pronounced in
favor Of closing the gates Of the Exposition
on Sunday. And in these opinions, the six
bishops of the African Methodist Episcopal
church who contribute their views. iully
unite. One of the most prominent of these
bishops is Rev. L. NJ. d. Ward Of Washing
ton, who wrote:
II am pleased TO hear that you will take
stand touching the dissertation of the Sab
bath at the great Fair. 1t is time that every
man who loves God and his country should
enter his earnest protest against the desecra-
ton of the Sabbath in all places. under all
circumstances and at all times. We cannot
afford as q nation TO kindle wrath against us
by tho violation of this most sacred of all
ordinances. the Sabbath Day. Take from
around this day its safeguards, and you accel-
crate the nations ruin Close the gates Of
the great Exposition on that day write on its
walls, Remember the Sabbath Day to Keep
1t Holy and we shall draw down upon us
the benediction of Heaven"