The morning call., 1893-09-12

are deprived of GODS sunshine and fresh
air, which by natural right are theirs to
enjoy. All the sights that meet their eyes
are the dusty walls of the shops and
smoky furnaces of the factories. All the
music which they hear is the noise OF the
hammer, the buzz of the saw. the grinding
OF the WheeiS-dull music when il is all
played to the tune of work. 1t Is not
because God has not planted his flowers
upon every hill, nor put a bird in every
branch 10 sing, nor piled up the rock into
mountains of solid masonry, down the
sides of which leap the silver streams, nor
that sweet incense rises not rom the
f1OweT-bedecked piateau-that man does
not enjoy these blessings; but because he
las no opportunity.
God has sketcbed out the landscape for
the eye. lie has made music for the ear
which awakens the tenderest and uoblest
feelings and inspires the purest and most
refined thought In man. and it seems
almost SIN that any should be forbidden
these blessings that are abroad in Dature
Yet there are thousands that have no op-
Dortunity tOenjoy these privileges, because
SIX days labor is demanded and because
Sunday is the day set apart by the custom
and law of this country for rest and wor-
ship.
There should be as in other countries.
viz: Scotland. Australia. New Zealand,
British Columbia. Wales and many other
cOuutIlcS, Il SATURDAY ualt-IDludys human
nature demands something more than to
work, eat and sleep.
"RecTeatOn is eeded to stimulate both
body and soul. and the Saturday half
holiday would give The recreation and rest
needed.
Would it not lave a great effect upon
the better keeping of the Sabbath? The
long hours at work, the dusty walls of the
factory. the humdrum of drudgery makes
the favored pleasure resorts very attrac-
tive places to spend the Sabbath, when, if
the Saturday half-hOliday were adopted
the present Sabbath day temptations
would lose their significance. If Chicago
had given to the laboring classes a Satur-
day half holiday the opening # the Column
blan Exhibition on the Sabbath would
have received no consideration. And il
this city would inaugurate a Saturday
balf-holiday there would be no excuse for
the gates of the Midwinter Fair 10 be open
on Sunday.
In those countries where the Saturday
half-h0liday has been adopted all games,
picncs and excursions are arranged for
Saturday afternoon, and as a consequence
the churches are better attended aud the
keeDing of the Sabbath is better observed.
But as II now is the employer says that
the laborer cannot go to the pleasure re-
sorts on the six working days, and the
preacher says he must not go on Sunday
OF course, the laboTer must not go, but the
truth Of the matter is that, in the absence
of the Saturday half-holiday, Sunday is
the day for seeing the sights, for games.
picnics and excursions, as the crowded
streetcar, the crowded boat and railroad
train bear witness. Many conscientious
people VIII not 90 out on the Sabbath
many more would not go if they had any
other opportunity. The labOrer should
have half the day Saturday without any
reduction of his weekly waGes-fOr he has
multiplied the results of his labors by his
invention-and should he not be entitled
to a COMPENSATION in a Saturday half
holiday for his interest ID behalf of his
employer?
THE time is ripe to make such move
Let us make IT..
The most of those present participated
in the discussion of the paper. the views
OF the writer receiving quite general ap-
prevail from the speakers.
Rev. DR.. Minton was interested In IL
because of its close connection with the
Sunday question and the effect upon Sun
day observance likely to result from
Saturday afternoon holiday.
Rev. j. q. Adams, who had lust re-
turned from his visit to the East, said that
he believed the results OF the Sunday
opening OF the Columbian Exposition were
better than would have been the closing
of the gates on Sunday from the beginning
by the directors. This result, however, he
ina gined was brought about by the power
of the individual conscience. and not by
the church. To this 1t WAS replied that it
was the individual conscience developed
and enlightened and stimulated by the
church through the ministry. the press,
and other agencies through which the
teachings of the church were made known.
Rev. Franklin Rhoda said the curse OF
la Dor had in a great measure been removed
by Christian civilization, through the in
vehti0ns and devices that had been intro
holf hol. .l.x- a IN. o. ,.
blessing, and workingmen should recog-
niZe it by proper regard for the sauctity
of sunday.
Rev. r. @. Griffith said that in South
Wales. from which he came, the weeks
work ended at noon on Saturday. and the
consequence was that on Sunday the
churches were filed with worshpers.
Rev. james Woodwork was opposed TO
half holiday on Saturday He would ae-
cept it Professionally, pending efforts which
he hoped would be I'D ade to have the entire
day holiday. Let the worlds work for
the week be done in five days. which would