The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1891-09-10

The question whether tho Worlds Fair at
Chicago shall be opened on Sunday Is max
ing serious trouble for the managers Of the
enterprise. They ara asked To decide it as
a question OF moral aud raaig io,iS duty only
and not with reference 10 the peruniary
profits, OF which the Exhibition will be in
sore need.
Tho prevailing sentiment OF the Profess
tant Churches, rs expressed in The deliver
anccs OF their assemblies. conventions, and
conferences, Is undoubtedly opposed to the
Sunday opening. Delegations have been
appointed to proceed TO Chicago to protest
against it as violation OF tile command
mcnt OF GOD. which would outrage Chris.
tim convictions and tend to increase the
popular disregard for the sanctty OF the
Lords Day. Religious papers are exhort-
ing tho managers to seek the approval Of
the Almighty rather than the favor Of
mcu, and t. show to the whole world
tho depth and sincerity OF their own
picty and the picty CT this country When
the Independent sought the views OF Bishops
md leading clerGymen on the subject. the
Professionals wero almost unanimous in con-
dcmuinE the policy of Sunday opening, and
somc OF tho Roman Catholics also opposed
1t us n dangerous innovation. This feeling
too. seems to DO growing under the slim
ulus OF apparently concerted efforts for its
cultivation. md from this time forward the
managers OF tho Exhibition will feel its
pressure steadily.
Meantime, we, 40 rot boar Of any organ.
fed movement on the Other si!e. The only
loud appeals which they hear come from
those who would slut the gates ON tie first
day Of Tie week without regard 20 pccunl-
airy loss and without reference to the public
convenience. 1t is Cons viii, cry tho re-
lig,OIs enemies Of opening, and GOD must
he obeycd. The spiritual gain Of obedience.
they declare. viii far transcend IN I'm.
Vortnncc any bacterial profit whic', dis
obedience misA5 bring in.
Tho addition To their expected functions
which Is thus imposed or the Fair managers
10 OF enormous weight. Besides looking
after tho secular interests Of the Exhibition
thcy arc required to settle a controversial
question rs to the proper observance OF
Sunday. They must mix up business and
religion, theology and finance, when they
are mt their wits ends TO provide ways and
means for carrying on tho enterprise. Sun
day opcnn. would increase their receipts
and yet, much MS they will need tho money,
they ARE called upon to give it up as
. tribute t., tho religious sentmen,
Of the Union and rs cxemplars or
Christian conduct and champions Of n
theory OF Sunday observance which il re-
jected By the great majority Of tho people
Of ChristcndonI and OF this country also. Ii
the question as to the Sunday opening of tho
Fair were put to popular vote. undoubtedly
a to. ,l,.I
very emphatic way. II tho gates are opened
ON Sunday more visitors vii! enter than on
any other day Of the week. Yet the mana
gers are urged to shut them, rs ~ religious
duty overriding every consideration OF profit
or public convenience. The responsibility
Of honorng or dishonorlrg tho command
mcnt OF COP rests on their shoulders. accord
Ing to tho united declaration Of Baptist,
Methodist, and Presbyterian conventions.
The managers Of the Chicago Fair ai,
therefore in situation full of difficulty anG
embarrassment. They are made the nlbltcrs
between two great parties in tho religious
world and between tho maiplity OF the pub
lie who want to enjoy Sunday IA n day of
leisure and the minority who would treat it
rs n fast dsy, on which all amusement |;
forbidden hy Divine command. When the
same question came NJ here in tho discus
zion Is 10 the sunday opening Of the Metre
poiitan Museum Of Art 1t was decided con-