The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-01-26
SABBATH OBSERVANCE.
Shall the Columbian Exhibit Be
Open On Sunday2
Rev. Thomas C. Easton Delivers Discourse
on This Subject at Calvary Pres
byterian Church.

At the Calvary Presbyterian Church last
even ing DR.. T. C. Eastcn delivered dis
course on SUNDAY Observance" as related
to the Worlds Fair. AS prelude TO this
theme he referred 10 interviews on this sub
ject, with large number of Congressman,
recently published il the New Ork hide
pendent, and taken as q text 1st Samuel
1870: "Them that honor me, l will honor,
proceeded as follows:
Nations like individuals, ara divine
creations. Hence We speak of the body
polite as of the body physical and recognize
certain laws by which it must be governed.
God has dealings with nations as certainly
rs with individuals, and treats them accord
ing as the responsibility he creates is
honored or repudiated. All history yerifes
this truth.
In speaking of Sabbath observance at the
great Columbian Exposition two lines of
thought naturally suggest themselves. This
exposition carries with it distinct national
character 1t bears on the surface the im-
print of the Congress of our country
PURPOSES OF THE EXHIBITION.
The main purpose is to illustrate the
progress of the great republic and the
solution of the mighty problem how to
secure the liberties Of the people. What
ever moral character it may possess, or
whatever influence it may have ON the
people in general, the nation is responsible
for. We are coufessedly a Christian people.
The fundamental spirit and genius of the
Constitution is Christian. Our courts of
law, common schools and public insttu-
tons close their doors on Sunday. Why
then should an exception be made for the
Worlds Fair? If half the Sundays in the
year are to be made public holidays, why
should not the balance be leyeled 10 the
ground? This exposition Will work an
epoch in our history, and its influence
will V+brate through all our future.
The plea is made that the Sunday open
ing Of this exhibit is essential to the proper
entertainment OF our foreign visitors. 1t
is that If We rob them of recreation we con-
demn them to the awful WEAKNESS of a
Puritan Sabb ath. But | answer, mol In
visiting the house of friend We expect
conformity TO the regulations of that house
hold. Shall they dictate TO US, then, in this
matter, while visiting our shores? Suppose
they should object while here to some
special form of our Government Would
we alter constitutional law for their amuse-
ment
POOR REASONING.
If it be sound reasoning that recreation on
that day is absolutely necessary to their
existence, why may not everything else be
thrown open also, saloons theaters, music
! halls and public Institutions?
But there is an argument which comes
nearer TO uS-the interest OF our home popu-
| lstion and the working classes. To close the
! exhibit III the face of these men is said to be
a tyranny, executed in the name of Chris
| tianity. l neither lack respect nor sympa-
| thy for the working classes. 1t was the very
| institution Of labor that gave birth to the
Sabbath. 1t belongs 10 the workingman by
a Magma Charta from the King of Kings.
| One word we say To the wOrkingman, pro-
| tect your Sabbath If yOu desire protection
| from white slavery. John Stuart Mill has
said: IF the nottingham parts with his
Sabbath lie will soon be compelled 10 give
seven days work for six days wages
SympathiZers with the working classes
should lock well to consistency, and | take
! the ground that the lRbOrer is entitled to a
hall holiday from Maine to Texas and from
| the Gulf to Alaska. The solution seems 10
be in generous, considerable acts of self-Sac-
| ritice, and thus the majesty of mems rights
| will be protected from insult and Gods law
| honOred. a lost Sabbath rings the death
knel Of the republic.