The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-05-23

| assembly holding that it could not begov-
erned by intentions that were not ex-
pressed in the papers before ID, and the
papers went TO the committee on church
polity.
SUNDAY AT THE FAIR.
The report of the special committee on
Sabbath observance recitcd the efforts to
secure the opening of the worlds fair on
Sunday, closing with n statement of the
vote in congress against IL. The report
then proceeded 1.-The Importance of this
action can scarcely be overestimated; it
is greater triumph than appears on the
surface. 1t has given expression to the
voice of the people. The strength of the
Sabbath sentiment has been tried and
proved. The people are unwilling to lose
Sunday rest The question of Sabbath
observance has been very widely dis
cussed. The foreign element has been
advised respecting the American Sab
bath and IL has a strong hold upon our
people. The friends of the sabbath in
Europe are reioiced and their hands are
greatly strengthened. But it is a matter
of profound regret that'in all this contest
the friends of Sunday closing have
received little or no aid from
the secular press. II has been
impossible, save in a few cases of notable
Importance, TO secure the insertion OF
iudicious articles in favor Of closing,
while whole columns have frequently APP
peared against it, If we have succeeded
it is only because the Lord of the Sabbath
is on our side. Otherwise there has been
prOdigiOus odds against us. The wide
spread interest which has been awakened
ON the subject of Sabbath observance
through the long agitation Of tho question
of Sunday closing at the exposition, has
opened the way as never before in the
history of our country for the circulation
of Sabbath literature. This is rare op-
portunity the like Of which may not
occur again in years, TO disseminate
through all parts Of our country and even
into foreign lands, healthful knowledge
OF the advantages of the Sabbath day.
RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED.
The committee then recommended the
adoption of resolutions, first of regret for
the death of Elliott r. Shepard, late
chairman Of this committee. Second, the
assembly expressed its profound graft
tude TO Almighty God for the success Of
the effort to secure in the
the national legislature prohibition of
| Sunday opening at the Columbian exposi-
tion, and its appreciation of the action
of congress in deciding by so
large a majority to continue the time hon
ored course of the American people
in doing reverence to the Lords day. IT
Joins the whole church in hearty thanks
giving that 1--WE have been spared the
| humiliation as n Christian nation of pub
lie sanction OF Sunday opening of the
worlds fair, and it hereby voices what il
believes TO be the well nigh unanimous
Judgment of the church it represents in
| declaring that any attempt after this
public and official expression of the ma
tion's will to open the gates of the expo
sition on the Sabbath would be gross
affront to the Christian conscience and
! fragrant breach of faith And inasmuch
as the local managers have decided to
| open the gates of the exposition IN def
anoe Of the authority of congress and in
clear violation of the principles of common
honesty, as well as of Gods command,
therefore,
3. Resolved, That we urge upon our people
the importance Of standing by their con-
sciences ut whatever sacrifice OF personal
profit or pleasure. If the trial of their integ
ritY is to come let them not detle themselves
with king 5 meat.-Dan. J., ..
The fourth, fifth and sixth relates to
the formation of Sabbath observance as
sociations
To these President Warfeld of Lafay-
ette College proposed an additional recon-
mendatiOn that the third Sunday in June
be set apart on which there win be SER
mons preached in all the churches and
prayers be offered in behalf of the effort
to keep the gates of the fair closed Rev.
Mr.. McCauley Of Dayton offered another
addition, to wit: that in case the Sunday
closing rule be violated, the exhibit of
the Presbyterian church be removed.
The committees recommendations and
those Of Messrs. Warfield and McCauley
were adopted SeTiatim,