New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-05-29
mr. LYMAN ABBOTT On SUNDAY OPENING
HE SAYS TIE QUESTION NOW is SIMPLY ONE
OF KEEPING FAITH

OF KEEPING FAITH.
Tho Dov. DR.. LYMAN Abbott preached In Plymouth
Church. Brooklyn. Yesterday morning on 'h' euu"'
opening OF the Worlds Fair lie said Ill part
We proposed TO get up great Worlds fa''' ",'."
wa. going 10 he the crandcst Worlds Fair the wofu mas
ever seen. And think it will be. We h'i''u az wv
rations Of the earth T. great Worlds Fair ana p
10 discuss among ourselves the question whether we
would open or close it on Sunday, the WORM r''' -,
England had leen closed the Worlds Fair IN rhauc'
lhia had been closed the American cNhibs ~ VI" iA
Fair had Len closed. II not the general America" Pp'
laon at least "A very large proportion were III 'a'or " ~
closing. very large proportion OF the ioeR' Pp"'''
werc in favor Of the opening. will say frankly 'ha'
I was in doubt am in doubt 10 this day which "oui'
have been the wiser policy. IL the question h'u p''"
given d, decide, should have voted Tor inc open
ing the sabbath, with the closing oi inc n"'n'"'S
section as Oh the whole the policy least likely " 90
injury Z, the morals Of the community But this ASIDE
we debated question hoy. shol this air be opn'o
or closed Sunday % The dctae was TRANSFERRED "o'
the convention INTO Congress Congress- oinr cons"
cation voted to appropriate $500 coo on ae distinct
condition that the should be closed on the DAY com
monty called Sunday. l read the condition
1T is hereby declared tho, ali appropriations herein
made for pertaining to. the Worlds Columbian ~.
po.tio, are made upon The condition that the sAid
Exposition shall BE- opened 10 the public on w, h's
day Of the week, commonly called Sunday"
This mere Appropriation OF two millions ana
half Of dollars Congress voted mat thcSc TWO W"O"
and half Of dollars should BE- coined in special 'Colm
bian hafdolars. 50 far a. TWO millions OF then "etc
concern,d th, was O. e, and these columbian half
dollars" sold generally dollar apiece 50 the fair ms
probaly received neatly quite four millions OF doiiaf
om the people OF the United states on The c>pcit con-
dltion that the Fair shall be closed The day COM
monty called sunday" No the money fairly
In the hands OF directors than they egan 70 discuss
the aueson-how they could keep the money and open
the Fair!
Now that is simple. plain, Anelo-saNcD statement OF
the facts All through this country the question was
being debated and suggestions invited the uncer
standing perhaps the Fair would be opened on sun
doy. After the opening. every week thousands "onn
surge up gates expecting TO find them open Every
week they them closed ard went to the countless
and varied shows that abounded in the neehbornood
The directors Of the Fair got lawyer to tell th'm inc
exhibition cnly that which was under The roof Of
elecal buildings, and that the grounds and sidesho"s
were no part the exhibition and might be on'd and
then they discovered Congress, had kept back half
million dcllars really appropfiatng II to special pnr
pose. Therefore they said. the contract has been an
nued. They finally took this action
Resolved That 10th the Exhibition buildings ana
grounds should be opened during the Sundays OF the IN
POSITION. That the operation Of the machinery III
achincry Hall should be suspended as FAR as pracu
cable that all exhibitors AMI employees be relieved from
duty On that day except far their presence is
essential 70 the protection Of life and property that there
should be religious services and sacred music In Choral
and Music halls"
And now some one say, they proposed Of coursN TO
pay back the money given by Congress Well here Is
their proposition:
Ensolycd Further that In foregoing Is carried
into effect this corporation pledges and obliea'cs Itself
to return the Government demand that pofttn OF
the appropriation received by virtue Of the act OF August
O. lo92-to the Of II 92J l20-from and out Of
receipts Of this corpoiaton after the paymcn oil
Just and valid debts and obligations, and before any
garments ,hall be made the stockholders OF the city
Of Chicago
We will this money OH the condition that the Far
shall be- closed, and then will open II aud II We have
any money left, will pay IL back again
Now 1t l. 10 ngT question OF SablafhkecnhR' IL
is question Of keeping faith IL Is very fair qu suon
Fair would not be better opened than os'd
on Sunday believe the whole 1t would b. better
opened but the standpoint Of who believed In
the Sunday opening, denouncc this act OF taking the
money from who d. not believe IN II. ana ac'
ctItlng the conditions which this money was pad'
and then saying After have paid everybody else
VIII pay you
Suppose Baron Kothschid had said: Il viii give you
two and half million dollars provided the Fair b. closed
on SATURDAY" Would II have been honest thing t.
have taken and opened the Fair on saturday
Suppose workingmcn had raj Sod two ana nall moh
dollar, and given H. provided day In the week were
kent a, a holiday would IT have been an honest thihS
10 have taken money and opened the Fair every day
in the week. suppose ConHe.s had Appropriated the
Two and half millions Of dollars the condition That
the Fair should be open sunday and that then The
Sabbatarans hal created sentiment which resulted III
keeping IL closed Sunday. wonder what "The Evening
POST would say about the morality Of that
uansactionl
hope / have spoken distinctly enough % make the
Plymouth pulpit OH this subject perfectly cef
should speak OF II were merely TO denounce the
sins OF men in Congress in Chicago, but we may
he sure that these acts Of violated faith could not take
place in America II there not real danger OF u
disregard OF conditions OF honesty IA great
Republic.