Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1892-05-26
Shall the Exhibition be Opened on
Sunday.


Ell. Rcgister-The paper on the open
ing of the Exhibition. which you so
kindly printed for the undersigned. has
been criticised by some of the newspa-
pcrs, some approving while others call
ed in question the propricty of such
sentiments. especially coming from
Clergyman, who would be supposed to
be, at all times, in favor of protecting
the sacredness of the Sabbath day. The
only one of these persons, so noticing
my paper, that / will now mention is
the editor of the Missouri CASH Book,
| published at jackson. He has deemed
| il but just to dissent from the views
advanced in that article. / take this
disapprOval Of the Cash- Book in the
kindliest manner, coming as it does
| from one who has always been to me
courteous, kind and obliging. The
writer of the original article entertains
the very highest respect for the views
presented on the subject by the gentle
man who edits the Cash- Book; he has
always known him to be on the side of
public and private virtue, and an advo-
cate o. religion and good morals. But
as to the rightfulness or wrongfulness
of opening the '.Exhibition'' on the
day now commonly called Sunday is an
entirely different question. / may not
enter upon the higher reasons to be
advanced in favor Of such concession
to the laboring classes in every depart
ment of human life, but only confine
myself to the one question of simple
justice and equity. / might, indeed,
add some additional reasons in favor of
my position on the grounds of exped-
ency and righteousness, but | will for
bear. 1t is not always remembered
that there is no expressed divine au-
the first day of the week, commonly
called Sunday, or more properly known
as the Lords Day" No intelligent
person will now pretend that the Mosaic
or Jewish Sabbath, that was so secure
ly hedged around by positive statute,
is identical with our present day of
sacred rest. Both the Sabbath of the
Decalogue and the new rest in honor OF
the resurrection Of Christ, were for
long years recognized and observed by
the same parties, which would not have
been done if these two sacred days were
identical.
But am not now wishing to enter on
homily to discuss this grave question,
rightful merits. But do assume, that
there is no divine authority for pro-
hibiting any class OF persons from such
recreation or enjoyment they may
deem proper to engage in, beyond the
full measure of loyalty to the man.
dates of the Civil Authority enacted on
all such subjects. Christians for many
centuries have mutually agreed to SUBJ
stitute the first day of the week for re-
ligious worship and such other purpos-
es as the duties of their religion may
demand.
In process of time, many Christian |
States made this observance obligatory |
by statute. In this country the only
statutory enactment is the abstinence
from manual labor. But there is no law |
to prevent, in any sense, persons from
visiting the public grounds or places
belonging to the exhibition. The only |
severity that can be alledged against |
the keeping open the gates, is the con-
sequent necessity of the presence of
those in care of the several depart
ments, which, indeed, is no slight ar
gument against the opening as is de-
precated by so many.
One word in addition, to my good
and well-esteemed friend OF the cash
Book, as to my consistency as minis
ter on this question. | do not surren-
der to any man, clerical or lay, for
my devotion to the rightful observance
of the Lords day" | was to the
..manor born, and have endeavOred to
be faithful from instinct. principle and
flial duty. My sympathy is with all
those who venerate this sacred day.
But am opposed, also from principle
and instinct, of laying burdens on the
shoulders of my less favored fellow men
that neither myself nor ''our fathers
were always fully able to bear
T. +. G.. JAMES.
THE BALLOT BURNERS.