Telegram-herald., 1891-09-28
SUNDAY OPENING talk
The Rev. Hustled Makes Some
sharp Distinctions
BASE BALL, PlRGS AID STREET CANS,
All Come undsr ths Ban OF the Earassi
Speakers DisspPsovaf-fhs " heis
ees>ti sfs l. OEs ~ tssd an9 Coa-
seiesee. Nat Church aaa state.

The Rev. j. I. Hustled of the PLAIN
tield-aye., Congregational church han
died the Sabbath amusement question
last evening. He began bis discourse
by referring 10 passages of Scripture
stating that where the treasure is there
the heart will he found and that yul-
lures Will hover around the carcass
The saying that history repeats Itself"
said he, Is true IN religion. Religion
can never say the last foe Is overcome.
The old foe in new clothing taxes up
the weapons OF It's predecessor and con-
tinues the lght. The arguments OF
wicked workers come with the ages and
call out the church giants. All the ar
guments of inhdeiity have been an
swered as far as books are concerned
so there is nothing new 10 handle.
The question tonight IS not new
one. II WAS brought up by the Jews
and has the ring OF centuries. The
Sunday question mas been discussed all
through the ages. Several years ago IL
was asked IN this state ii IT were right
to boil sap on Sunday, to gather grain,
10 hunt, 10 play ball, etc, and now the
question OF opening the Worlds fair
Sunday Is presented TO Us. The theory
or the church has been from first 10
last that one day out of seven should
bet set aside for rest. The theory of
the world has been the opposite, that
men should be allowed to do as they
please. Here the chuch and the world
are far apart.
World and Church Differ.
The world acknowledges that man
requires one day in seven for
rest, but the world and the
church differ as to what rest
is. The church has gone to extremes
in this matter. In England it WAS too
lax and a century ago in New England
it was too rigid. A New England Sun
day was dreaded by some equal TO
death. Tho coming of Sunday made
them quake with fear. They had
taken the old Jewish method and es-
tabIished it in New England. These
severe methods were suggested by the
lax methods OF ages before. The church
is inconsistent in theory and practice
concerning this matter, while the world
has been consistent. The world de-
cIares that amusement of the widest
kind is rest. Now the question is asked
to Grand Rapids, shall the Worlds
Fair be opened on Sunday? Grand
Rapids with its Reeds Lake, and
North Park patronized as places of
Sunday amusement, how will you an
swer? The church must make Sunday
the best day in the week, to he set aside
for worship, for rest and for edification
on religious subjects. The world has
always tried to get the church to give
up its position on this question. The
this question. 1t must not use the
laxIty of Old England nor the severity
of New England. Why do the street
cars run on Sunday? Is it not for the
accommodation of church members
who wish to attend church? The men,
bers ride ard pay their fares for the
church where the congregation is
we'll dressed and able sermons are de-
livered.
Sunday Amusement Seekers.
This is amusement for the members
who do that and they patronizc the
cars for amusement. Those who 60 10
Reeds Lake patronize the cars for
amusement. 1t is not necessary Tor
people in this city 10 go any great DIS
tance TO attend church. The church
must be consistent on this line. Last
year when the subject of Sunday base
ball was taken up, the ministers held a
meeting at Hartman's hall on Sunday
evening to discuss the matter and many
Of them patroniZed the street cars in
reaching there. They patronzed Sun
day street cars to put down Sunday
base ball. AS church members you
have no right TO go to North
Park or any other place of amusement
on Sunday. ! would make Snnday the
| best day OF the week; wo1.d distln-
guish it by something; have n better
dinner; little recreation by having a
pleasant talk with my family; after
dinnefta drive with yonr family,
or II you have no horse and carriage go
for quiet walk. This will not break
the Sabbath nor ever bend it. ask the
state to protect me in my worship on
Sunday and to protect the laboring
man from the employer who requires
him 10 labor seven days In the week.
The church should not attempt to leg
islate for the world as it gets into
trouble every time it does it.
!, personally, 90 not care If the great
fair is opened Sunday. Looking Mt the
situation from Grand Rapids / would
say close 1t, but if lived in Chicago |
might cay keep it open. Church mem-
bers should not attend on Sunday. IL
you are Christian you will need no
law to keep you away. The church
should have not raised the question of
Sunday opening, the question Is be-
tween God and you.
You C,uJdo.t no II vo,r.-te r1.>,>