Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-10-22
KEEP THE SABBATH.
A MEETING TO PROTEST AGAINST
ITS BEING pEsEcRATEo.
Several Speeches Made and Strong Reso-
iutIops Adopted Against the Repeal
of the Sunday Closing Law.

A largo and intelligent audiercc gathered at
DR.. HQges church last night as 8 o'clock 70 hear
tho addresses on Sabbath observance By Drs'
Tudor, Hatcher. Hoge, and George, Of Pennsyl-
vanfn. There were present representatives OF
nearly every denomination In the city, among
the ministers being Drs Blcdsoe, Cooper,
Grammar, Landrum, Fair, Hiden, Thomas, and
Reys. ]. T. Tucker, Ray, Williams, Kirk, Thorn
hill, Turnbuil, and others.
Tho exercises we're opened with "All Hall the
Power OF Jesus Name" after which Dr. Hoge
read the sixty-seventh Psalm and Dr. Grammar
offered solemn and impressive prayer.
Governor Mckinney was then introduced as
the chairman OF tho meeting, and after explain
ing the object Of tho latter In some welltmed
remarks, introduced DR.. Tudor as the nrst
speaker OF the occasion.
REMEMBER rHE SABBATH DAT.
DR.. Tudor opened his address with the words,
"Remember the Sabbath-Day, 70 keep it holy"
He said that large part OF the public was
making strenuous effort 10 repeal the action
OF Congress In regard to closing the Worlds
Fair on Sunday, but that through the untiring
efforts OF Christian people the bill providing for
the great fair was passed. and be thanked God
for IL. Continuing, the Doctor dwelt upon the
the chief influence In the uplifting and guiding OF
society, attacked the infdelty and free-thought,
which he declared was growing alarmingly pre-
valent in many parts OF the country, praised tho
action OF Congress in passing this important
bill, and closed with beautiful tribute 10 the
South. and especially 10 Virginia, for the Efforts
they had made in bringing about this result.
DIR. Hatcher, OF Gracc-Street church. was next
introduced, and In a brief and interesting ad-
dresshe expressed his gratitude to the people OF
Virginia who were influential In the measure
complimented the women particularly Tor the
active and important part which they took In
the movement, and concluded with the state
ment that this grand act represented tho best
intelligence, highest honor. and purest motives
Of nfOnta and nredtctpd n result OF tho
act our grand old country would grow bigger and
better. showing as IL did, the spirit OF peace ana
reverence which cur forefathers breathed into
the legislature OF the country.
Dr. Hatcher's speech was pointed and enec-
tive, and such an effort as b calculated TO do
much good.
HoGE AND GEORGE.
Governor Mckinney then introduced DIR. HOge,
who simply wished to endorse the remarks oil
his predecessors, and said that he would reserve
what he had TO say until next Sunday afternoon
and give place TO DR.. George, OF Pennsylvania,
the held secretary OF the American Sabbath
Union.
The latter delivered an eloquent and stirring
address, in which he directed most OF his re-
marks against the violation Of the Sabbath-Day
He said that he had seen 300 OF the congress-
men who had a hand in passing the Sunday bill
and that he was sure from what they said that in
spite Of the effort now on foot to repeal the bill
the latter was passed once for all, aud the
great fair at Chicago would close It's gates
| ton whether should have real Sab-
| bath, or surrender our Christian sabbath TO
| the continental Sabbath, which is noshing more
| Than a Fourth OF July, especially In the north
western cities. He called attention 20 the sa-
| loons baseball parks, and theatres being KEEP
open on Sundays, and attacked the neglect of
the authorities in the large cities as regards the
Sabbath laws, and concluded With the words,
If that great institution, the worlds Fair,
should, by hook or crook, be opened On Sunday,
believe It would be equivalent 70 going back
| fifty years towards hesthendom."
STRONG RESOLUTION ADOPTED.
| DR.. Fair, chairman of the Committee on Reso-
| lutions then submitted the following, which was
unanimously adopted:
| Whereas, Ii is q fundamental truth OF Reyela-
| tlOn that tt observance OF the Sabbath deyoyes
| upon nations as well ns upon individuals and
| whereas, it is a truth equally evident from tho
pages OF history, both sacred aud profane, that
| desecration OF the Sabbath inevitably tends to
national decay, degra 1ation, and dissolution, to
| the disruption OF moral bonds and the final ex-
| tinction OF religion, which Is the only sure and
permanen foundation of q Christian clviliza-
| ton now, therefore, be IL
! Resolped, l, The citizens Of Richmond In mass
| meeting assembled do hereby express our hearty
approval OF tho action Of Congress In directing
! that the Worlds Columbian Exposition be Closed
| upon the Sabbath-day.
| .. That we desire to emphasize and place upon
record our special qualification at the noble stand
| taken by our Virginia representatives We say
| to them, Well done," and We can assure them
that they reflect the sentiments and have earned
the undyng gratitude VI an overwhelming ma
jorty In our Commonwealth.
| 3. Shocid an attempt be made to reopen this
| question aud secure a reversal OF the condition
| upon which Congress made its appropriation
| we urge our representatives 10 maintain the po-
| sitiOn already assumed, and 20 resist every ef-
fort totramplo upon the christian sentiment oI
| our country.
4. That we call upon the Christian people Of
this grand old Commonwealth 10 rally around
| this coed cause; 70 give II tnelr hearty and
united support; 10 stand shoulder 70 shoulder IN
this vital issue; to join hands for the preserva-
tion OF the sabbath, and TO plant their feet
firmly upon the ground that Gods holy day
| snail not be dishouored and eliminated from oar
| Christian civilization.
| 3. That in order to preseave the Sabbath from
this ana oil other encroachments we do now or
ganize a city Sabbath association, to be auxiliary
j. Y. FAIR. Chairman.
| Dr. HOge suggested that the resolution be
| given tho city papers for pubiication, and that
copies be sent to the Virginia representatives In
Congress and In the senate. This was approved
and She resolution adopted.
The long meter doxoiogy was then sung ana
| the exercises adjourned with benedlction by DR..
| Fair.
| AN ASSOCIATION FORMED.
| AT the preliminary meeting held In DIR. Hoge'a
church yesterday afternoon, Sabbath assocta-
! tior for the city OF Richmond, with executive
power % arrange for a State alliance in connec-
| ton with the American Sabbath Union was or
| ganized with the following o1icers DIR. Tudor,
| president: Rev. l.. X. 1hornhil, yice-president
| W. C. Preston. recording secretary; Rev. l.. B.
| Turnbull, corresponding secretary Robert
| Styles legislative secretary John L. Williams,
| treasurer. The Executive Committee consists
/ OF Thomas Potts, Rev. Jetel Hall, j.. Hall
| Moore. c. T.. Richardson. and John 4. (ioddin.
| The Executive Committ9e win meet Monday
| night at 8 o'clock III the parlors OF the Young
| Mems Christian Association building.
/ n,.io