The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-06-12
At THE CHURCHES SUNDAY
Rev. Mr.. Spencer Takes a Liberal View
Of Sunday Observance.
He is IN FAVOR OF EXCURSIONS.
The Fourth Commandment the Subject OF
Rev. DIR. Bartlett's Discourse at tho
Academy Ave. Congregational Church
Christian Endeavor Meeting.

Rev. William II. Spencer at the Fourth
Unitarian church spoke on "The Proper
Use of Sunday" taking for his texts,
" Let no Man Judge You;" "The Sab
bath Was Made for Man."
This Is proper time TO discuss this
question when the Worlds fair and the
Sunday excursion is upon us We are
assured that this Is the Lori's day and
that desecrators must be closely watched.
Are we so degenerate that we cannot
trust TO the judgment OF our follows TO
settle this qu 'stion according To their
owl consciences Did Paul think rs
some of us do about this Because God
made the world in six days aud rested
upon the seventh Is no reason for our OBJ
servance Of it. Are jewish trad tions
good reasons why we should observe any
certain dayp Christ did not set a ~ par
ticuIar day Tor the Sabbath. we mu't
look to other sources tnan the tradition
OF the church. The jewish Sabbath does
not bind us.
Among all ages and nations environ
menL has mad much to do with regulat-
ing the day upon which man shall rest.
We must not ok to the Pagan or To the
Puritan to settle this question. i be-
Iieve thar we Americans need n day OF
rest Tor rest, education and recreation.
Ouc udy III SeNcI nus proven IN our Cusc
10 answer our needs. Occupation bears
an important reiation to tue case.
More Than Rest Day.
1t must be something mors than rest
day. We must join rest with exercise.
The old blue laws forbade all recreation.
Not even smile was permitted. The
Sabbath came to be u day OF torture TO
the young. Let our children nave enjoy
ax,. II v.e l.nx
crowded city in boats, cars, carriages or
bicycles. But do not let recreation run
riot. DO not give the whole day to the
physical needs. Let the spiritual and
mental desires be gratified. The preacher
has grand opportunity To point out the
way OF life.
There are honest and good men who do
not enjoy the church as they see 1t. A
good deal OF the preaching as heard
woul probably cruelty me. Yet there Is
much kood in the word AS preacned III
many pulpits. The petition against sun.
day uesecration that has been circulated
this week has been pres To me.
What IL Looks Like.
1t looks like enforcing distinctively
religious observance of tho day. IL Is an
abuse of the Sunday. There are many
kinds of Sabbath brea1iag--It has little
force with me to plead that certain con-
duct is contrary To the law. This law
will cut off all kinds OF harmless amuse-
meuJ. Our hands would bs utterly tiel.
We could not even shave or make beds
on Sunday. But is innocent recreation
contrary TO lawf We hope people will
continue to break certain LAWS until the
STATS rises In disgust aad repeals them.
1he nation was not founded on these
laws as many ministers have said. Such
laws are state Laws. There Is no Sab
batarian rock in the foundation Of this
nation.
/ sympathize with thst portion of the
petition relating to the sale OF liquor.
not because it is contrary 10 Sunday Law
but because IL Is contrary TO morals.
The Good Ia sunday Excursions.
These Sunday excursions are product
i've or much good to mechanics and other
workmen and their wives.
am not able to decide the legal side
of the Worlds fair Sunday op,nlnX. But
the gates of this great educational ex-
hibition should not be closed because
5000 years ago the Jewish law command
Il the observance of Sunday. These
people insist in barring out those who
wish to enter. This is rank intolerance.
L. is not for the public good that these
gates should be shut. Nothing will SO
injure the cause of the church as to bar
the people out from the fair on the Sab
bath. The Unitarian church mas stood
for sunday opening and l am proud Of
the fact.