The Dalles times-mountaineer. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1882-1904, 1892-12-10
SUNDAY CLOSING.

The seventh day of rest, obsaryed
by Christian nations, originated in the
dogmas of the religion of Judaism. Its
observance dates far back in the his
tory of the Israelites, and its object
being to inculcate the idea of worship
of the deity, was very successful with
that superstitious people. In the first
ages of Christianity, perhaps, it tended
largely to satisfy the prejudicial in
clinations towards the old faith of the
converts to the new religion. As its
benefits as sanitary measure were
apparent, it became in general favor,
and we find it adopted by statutory
law from the time of Constantine. In
the pagan world, festivals were fire.
quent, and it appears to have been the
universal opinion that a portion of
time in which the physical and mental
functions should cease from labor,
aside from the hours devoted to sleep,
was necessary for the welfare and well.
being of the human family.
With the landing of the Puritans the
common law and the customs of Eng
land were transplanted in this country,
and with these the observance of the
Sabbath. AS their models of conduct
were principally taken from the old
Bible, this day was not SO much de.
voted to rest as to strict religious de-
votions, and it left the body and mind
in more impaired condition than if
: the usual vocations had been followed.
In nearly every state of the union this
law was re-enacted; but it is very
doubtful if convictions could be had
under the statute in but few courts in
the country.
The question of opening the Colum-
bian exposition on Sundays has
brought this subject prominently be-
fore the American people, and at the
first meeting of congress next week
thousands of petitions will be laid be-
fore that body asking that the fair be
kept open on these days. There are
many arguments in favor of Su nday
opening of the exposition, and these
should receive consideration from sem
ators and representatives. The me-
chanic, laborer or artisan who devotes
his time during the week to his en-
ployment, should not be debarred on
the only idle day from avalling him
self of the great opportunity of i'm
proving himself mentally by the works
of art and of mechanism which which
will be on exhibition. At the fair
there will be means of education which !
the American people will not enjoy |
again for century, if eyer. The |
chricest paintings and works of me-
chauical skill of the old world will be
freely exhibited, and the laborer
should be granted the privilege of
viewing and examining these, as well
as the gentleman of leisure and of
wealth. If the exhibition is closed on
Sunday, the time will be more vicious
ly employed than it could be on the
exposition grounds, as the great city
of Chicago will furnish allurements in
every manner for visitors, and every
day of the week. The great teacher
said, when combating this pharasai-
cal notion of the holy day, that the
Sabbath was made for man and not
man for the Sabbath, and this incul-
Gates the idea of man being benefited,
physically and mentally, by iJs observ-
ance. Lock the doors of the exposi-
tion buildings against the eager throng
of visitors on Sundays, and they will
be driven into the saloons and bagnios
of the city. This holy, sacred day will
by this means be changed from one of
the worship of God, and of beauty and
purity in art and nature, to Ole of
alteration of vice and everything that
tends to depravity.