Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1892-03-18
SUNDAY AT THE WORLDS FAIR

SUNDAY AT THE WORLDS FAIR
To the minds of most Christian people
there is something infinitely sacrilegious in
the proposition to keep open the Worlds
Fair exhibit. Besides the natural objection
cherished agans, the secularization of that
day there IS another motive on their part
which figures considerably in their action
knowing the great diversity OF races and
religions 10 be represented at the Fair il is
considered that it would bc grand thing
for the interests OF Christianity to show
these people what n severely simple thug
the American Sabbath ia "What a grand
obiecl-esson it would be, they say, "for the
nations TO see the doors of the great exposi
ton closed on the Lords day and the PEG
pie vending their way TO the various
churches" And indeed the picture thus set
forth is alIuring, and the virtue Of the young
nltsB thus true to the faith oil It's carly days
and triumphant over every consideration OF
material gain would make most desirable
impression upon the heather bcholder, and
laying aside all considerations of religion il
might not be bad move from CONNER
cial point OF view, since the people whe are
true TO their religious teachings might woll
be considered reliable in credit
There is reason TO believe, however, that
this effort TO keep the Sabbath sanctified 10
absolute rest in Chicago will not prevail.
la the first place the American people do
not present anything like united front in
demanding that the gates be closed There
are many who no longer regard the Puritan
Sabbath as the bestty of holy day They
do not yearn for the European Sunday.
Their ideal of the day is that described by
David SwiRg in the Forum, in which the
libors OF the week are suspended, the dens of
temptation closed, the churches, the parks,
the galleries and the libraries are as open as
the fields and thronged with the millions who
have but one day out OF the seven to devote
10 recreations of this kind Such are those
who have succeeded in having New York's
art treasures opened up to the people on
Sunday And with these is that increasing
number who are averse 10 any legislation
that does not actually represent the people
back Of IT, at undoubtedly would be good
thing" they say, "Tor the people to forsake
secular things on the seventh day, but it is
their place 10 do SO voluntarily, not ours
10 drive them 10 il by closing every avenue
but one" They reflect upon the obvious in.
justice 10 the millions to whom Christianity
is as Buddhism, the only difference being
tlat II has not so many followers, of compel.
ling them TO put tribute upon its altar. Chi.
cago's capacity for entertaining the vast
multitudcs, its justly celebrated packing
houses being closed, would be very made
quate on Sunday, and it is argued that it
would be far better to have the people ex
posed to the allurements Of the exposition
ihan to those of Chicago's saloons
Let the opening and closing rest with the
general management at Chicago. II. there
is any sacrificing Tor principle TO be done,
managers and those who have invested their
money in the affair are the ones who ought
TO do ii. Ii lie easy for others 10 advocate
the closing the doors on Sunday, but they
are not the ones to loose by SO doing. The
investors properly should have the chief
voice In the matter, and let the country
abide by it, for whichever decision prevails
1t will have fully as many supporters as op
poDents.