The Dalles times-mountaineer. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1882-1904, 1893-05-27
THE AMERICAN SUNDAY.

The Methodists are attempting a
boybott of the worlds fair because its
gates have been open on Sunday, and
resolution was passed by the preach
ers of New York and Brooklyn, mem
bers of that body, to withdraw all ex-
hibits. DIR. Landon appeared to be
the leader in this movement, and he
seems to be anxious that the bishops
take some decisive action in relation
to the condemnation of the worlds
fair being open on the day in question.
In the course of his remarks he said
that Chicago was not an American
city, and that it was composed OF for
eigners; that "there is not an Amer1-
can spirit there, and we cannot expect
that there should be much observance
of the day." This church has exerted
great influence for good in the coun-
try since its first establishment here;
but if it is to be the champion of Pur-
itanism in this age of the world it will
find itself in very contracted field.
The people respect it-at least the
northern branch of Methodism- the
past for its determined fight against
human slavery, and its patriotic efforts
during the rebellion in support of the
national cause; but it must not pre-
sume too much upon its good char
acter that its bigotry will be tolerated
by the progressive spirit which
nov pervades all classes. In
the use of the word "Ameri-
can," DR.. Landon implied that the
strict observance of Sunday is pecu-
liarly characteristic of the citizens of
this country, and not of foreigners
He must know that the particular
sanctimoniousness attaching to the first
day of the week was brought to New
England by the Puritans from fer
eign country, and was never very pre-
valent outside of that sect. The COM
plete cessation from all secular en-
ployment or anything which would
call into active operation the feelings
of mirth or Joy, is more in keeping
with the Jewish Sabbath of the Old
Bible than with the Christian Sunday
of the New Testament. Puritans
dwelt more on the judgments of God
on the Philistlnes than the love of
Christ for the whole human race.
With such religious sect smiles and
laughter were offenses against the Al
mighty, and no worship would be con-
sidered becoming if it did not consist
of groans and sighs. 1t IS not surpris
ing that they construed keeping holy
day in the narrowest and most gloomy
sense possible. We have grown out of
these views, and an American Sunday
should no more partake of rigidity of
body and soul than a German or a
French Sunday. There is no warrant
for such an observance of Sunday in
the teachings of our Savior, and its
authority can only be found in the
gloom and sadness that pervaded jew
ish Sabbaths and fast days.
There are other matters to be con-
sidered in the discussion of this ques-
tion, which appeal to the American
sense of right and justice, and one of
these is the proper respect which a
large class of citizens should receive
who believe that the seventh day is
the holy one. Our constitution guar
antees freedom of worship to all relig- |
ious denominations, and 1t will be
monarchial despotism if we force these
Sabbatarians to observe Sunday. Other
views, from moral and educational
standpoints, are of equal Importance.
There will not be one-tenth the
breaches of the strictest code of NOR
ality by those who visit the expo
sition grounds on Sundays, with open
gates, as there will be in the dives and
deadfalls Of Chicago, with closed gates.
The works of art should be viewed by
all classes, and the daily toilers will
have no opportunity of this means of
mental culture without they can visit
the exposition on Sunday.
The Methodists and other religious |
denominations should not attempt in.
quisitorial methods in this country,
for, by so doing, they will injure the
cause they represent. Puritanism is
dead, and with it its witch-hangings,its
Quaker-persecutions and its black and
gloomy Sundays and cheerless meet
ing houses.