Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1892-06-06
THE MASS MEETING,
The City Churches join in Exer-
cises at Harper's Theatre.
ENpr essions OF Opinion and ResOlu-
tons Relating TO sabbath
Obseryances.

churches yesterday morning, about 700
people assembled at Hsrper's theatre last
evening 10 consider the question of Sab
bath dissertation. All of the Protestant
and Evar gelicsl churches dispensed with
their evening services, and their congre-
cations joined in the union meeting.
The meeting was called TO order by A. |
NJ. Bis kesley and William Jackson was |
elected chairman and Joshua Hasselquist,
secretary After prayer by Rev. j. 81.
Kerr and music by quartette, President
Jackson stated the object of the meeting,
which be said was to take some action in
regard to the suppression of wanton des-
ecration of the Sabbath day.
He then introduced Dr. Bartholomew
of Augus,ans College who spoke in
vehement terms and characterized the
ball games as bold. defiant and aggressive
disregard OF law. 1t was he said place
OF sbomination, dissipation and corrup-
ton, degrading and demoralizing to soci-
ETY. and compared the scenes on ball
field to those of the ancient bull fight and
scenes of carnage enacted by Roman
glsdiators in the bloody arena. 1t inter-
fered, lie said with the street car service
and was source of great annoyance to
the peace and quiet of the neighborhood
in which these wild scenes were enacted,
and thought it the duty of the mayor of
the city TO do something toward its
abatement.
Rev. W. G, Shuey, pastor of Grace
Lutheran church, was the next speaker.
1t was in his neishborhood he said, that
this lameutable dissertation OF the Sab
bath occurred and that it was demoralz-
ing on the community in general. He
spoke of the proper observance Of the
Sabbath day as one of the foundations OF
the republic, and looked at it mainly
| from a religions point Of view, and
| closed his remarks with the hope that all
| would unite in a determined effort to put
| DOWN what he termed the spirit CT law
lessuess to the end that it might lend a
better influence to the whole community.
Some vocal music followed,
Rev J. H. Kerr. of the Central Pres
byterian church, came next. He said
that the persons who were conducting
those Sunday ball games were overriding
the law and that they knew 1t. Even
now. said the speaker, they show
signs of wipcing," when there is talk OF
interfering with them. He then salo
that no one ever made any money by
PLAYING Sunday ball. and cited as proof
an article by Harry Wright, the veteran
ball player that lately APP
reared in The Clipper. As for himself
he was q lover of the national game, bu'
he would not lend any aid to club thai
played on Sunday and he exhorted those
present 10 do the same. He YVES also IL
favor of closing the saloons and stores OF
all kinds on the Sabbath day and woulc
lend his aid in that direction.
! Rev. H. C. Marshall also spoke, but ht
said he came as q citizen and not as
minister of the Gospel. He had always
been proud OF this city as law abiding
com munity and he as citizen wished tt
see the law enforced and thought thu
public at large should stand by the instl
tuition of learning at the doors OF which
1 g 81, Soh
: being committed.
Rev. F. W. Merrell of the First NJ. L
church next addressed the meeting ant
said that it was no doubt source o
great annoyance to the people IN that vi
, cin;ry, and that it was an insult to the IN
stitution located in that part of the Cit!
which brings young men from all part
l of the country to train them in the way
, of the Christian faith. He was decided
" against all Sabbath breaking, ant
hoped q strong sentiment would go GU
from the meeting against further disturb
2 apoe OF the day of rest.
Rey.T. W. Grafton. followed with
few brief remarks IN whlcn ne gave 'oi0
to his disapproval Of Sabbath breaking
and was ready to do all in his power Il
check the evil.
Rev. &. E. Taylor came next and mad
some more extended remarks, taking Il
not alone the ball player, but the ciothln
merchant, barber. butcher, grocer 50
= loon keeper, and in fact everyone who Il
anyway broke the day of rest. He sal
that the saloon keeper complained OF be
Ing singled out as the only one who brok
q the Sabbath and added that the latter ha
= the best of the argument. He wa
az ainst all forms OF Sabbath desecratlo
t ard willing to come out in q defan. stan
J. &C ainst 1t.