St. Paul daily globe., 1893-01-29
Bishop M. N. Gilbert Reviews
the Question as Affect
ing Religion.
Judge w. L. Kelly Discusses
1t From the Economical
Standpoint.
Rev. DR.. S. G. Smith Speaks
for the Interests Of the
Wopkingmen.

raging outside men and women had
come in goodly numbers to hear the dis
tinguished speakers announced. Truth
compels the statement, however, that
the people in whose interest the strong
est pleas were made-the working
classes-were conspicuous by their alb
sence. Nine out of ten present would be
picked out of any aSSemblage as people
who would vote under any crcum-
stances to close the gates on Sunday.
Speaker Lee was an interested listener
to the speeches.
Rev. DR.. Ingersoll made the opening
PRAYER. 1t was pertinent 10 the subject
in hand, and powerful petition to the
throne of grace for the furtherance of
the object of the meeting.
Senator w. B. Dean presided, and in
opening the meeting said that. so far as
it was possible for one citizen, by his
presence and his voice, TO dprotest
against the movement to open the gates
of the worlds fair on Sunday, he Was
glad to be present. He felt indignant,
he said, to hear it asserted that to close
the gates on Sunday would fill the sa-
looms and worse places. The American
people who would visit the great fair,
he maintained, were not of the class to
frequent saloons and places of lascivi-
GUS character. Throw open the gates
on Sunday, and trains on every road
leading into Chicago would carry tran
sient crowds who would make of the
Lords holy day saturnalia OF wicked
ness.
The Religious Side.
BiShOD M. N, Gilbert spoke on the
religious aspect of the movement. He
said he had received letter from
prominent citizen expressing surprise
that the bishop was to speak at meet
ing of ''cranks." The reverend gentle
man, commenting on the letter. said he
did not believe people were narrow OF
bigoted because they were faithful to
principle. His views Oil the matter
under discussion had undergone changes
as he studied the arguments Gil both
sides. After considering the subject
from all points of view he had reached
the final conclusion that the best inter-
ests of all the people demanded that the
gates be closed. The bishop defined the
meaning and significance of the word
exposition at length, and then said it
would not be we'll to depart from the
moral and religious spirit whose jnf1u-
ence had always been for the uplifting
OF humanity.
1t was a truth. he held, that large
element which is flocking to our shores
would put away the tangible results of
that spirit. He feared the result might
mean the throwing aside of all that was
best worth holding fast. The fair should
be an exposition of the religious spirit
of the American people, rather than
give any recognition 10 the spirit
which develops anarchiSm. The POSI-
bic bad effect in the future was dWelt
on earnestly. TO weaken respect for
Christian principle, make it less of a
dominating influence in the land, would,
more than anything else, strike at the
very root of Christianity itself. Wheth-
er the exposition should be monetary
success in a greater or less degree
was. he held, at the bottom of
Cbicago's plea. There was something
higher to be considered, and the Chris
tian point of view should furnish the
paramount argument. AS to the imme
diate bearing OH religion of the opening
of the gates, he feared great damage to
religious sentiment. 1t would only be a
short time till the state fair would fol
low the example, and then would come
horse racing on the Sabbath. Opening
of theaters Sunday was touched on, and
the bishop asserted deplorable results
had followed that action. The perora-
tion was an eloquent, impassioned and
forcible plea for maintaining the holl-
ness of the Lords day. s--=s
A Letter From Davis.
Chairman Dean read letter from
Senator Davis that would have been
GodSend to some men while back. 1t
was addressed to lady in ST. Paul, and
in fervent words the senator expressed
a determination to give his voice and
vote against repeal of the Sunday clos
ing clause.
Judge Kelly was to discuss the
economic aspects of Sunday closing.
He read a charmingly eloquent argu-
ment for preservation of the Sanctity of
the Sabbath, but very seldom did it
touch on economics as affecting work
supreme court decision, holding the
state had power to pass laws to regulate
Sabbath observance, and drew compar-
ison between the struggles of the early
aboitioniStS and those who are today
fighting to close the fair. The IDEA of
reviving the puritanical Sabbath was
repugnant to him, but he thanked God
for the impress of the Purltans on
American institutions. The Sunday
closing law should not be repealed, but
should be respected and obeyed. The
gates should be closed because it is
God'S day, and must be kept holy. Reg
ular periods of rest were absolutely nee
essary to all men anj to even the most
powerful machinery. The judge called
attention to the motto on American
coins, In God we trust" and drew
from it beautiful argument for Sus-
Ill Jc ;,,,,Nlio1 Tho
position of 1876 had not been opened
on Sunday, and if the City of BrotherIy
Love had closed its saloons and worse
places, Chicago should do-the same. If
the directors wanted to benefit the
working people, they could let them in
free. The plea of the money changers
should be ignored, Gods day should be
revered and honored, and the people
should remember that His shielding arm
is not shortened.
IN the Workers. Interest
Rev. Dr. Smith followed. He spoke.
he said. for the workingman's interests.
Some of his radical friends were sur
prised at his attitude on this question,
but as some of his conservative friends
bad felt the same way on other occa-
sionS, he would allow their sentiments
to trouble him very little. He would
not speak for the return of th Sabbath
of Moses or the Puritans, but for day
that mad been largely instrumental in
the uplifting of the common people.
The revolutions of the past should not
be turned backward, but must go for
ward until the powers of eacn shall rest
in the hands of an enlightened and
self-controlled democracy. In the eyO-
luton of the. burden-bearerS OF the
world the Sunday of rest has been the
greatest factor. 1t has made it possible
for them to become useful ana valuable
members of society. That was why he
favored closing the gates.
We cannot afford, said Dr.. Smith, to
dethrone and debauch the American
Sabbath, even though it be i'll debauch
of education and art. If the millionaire
directors are so much interested in the
workingman, why do they not exert
their power and Influence to secureaa
Saturday half holiday tor work
ers? Instead, they would sell the