Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1893-01-05
COMMUNICATED

the Sunday opening of the World 9
Fair. AS the question IS still in sus-
pense, we desire to throw our mite of
influence against the unwarranted
theological assumptions Of the pulpit,
as we'll as against the religious inter
ference of Congress in matters outside
its jurisdiction.
There is now collected at Chicago the
greatest exhibit OF the worlds treasures
ever gathered together. 1t Is a BIRDS
eye view Of the whole wofld, which,
Congress, influenced by the food Of pc
titions sent in by religious bodies, has
declared would be violation of the
Sabbath for busy meh and women who
work from Monday morn until Satur-
day night, to look at on Sunday.
Mr. Higlnbotham, the new Pres. IF
the Directory, in signing the
petition for a repeal OF
the law, asks "ls it right to collect on
grounds belonging to the public, by
money furnished by the public, 50 much
that is good and then hide 1t away
from the public gaze for a single mo-
ment The time devoted to the Elk,
position Is limited. What has taken
years to create, can at most be enjoyed
but short half year. and it is proposed
to shorten this time by closing 1t Sun
days, which means twenty SIX days ont
of one hundred and eighty or fifteen
per cent Of the time | submit in all
seriousness that the church and Sabbath
will suffer infinitely more by closing
the Exposition on Sunday than by
opening the gates to the great mass of
tired workers 10 come and enjoy, come
and learn. and rest their eyes on the
works of great masters, and get inspir-
alton that will remain with them as
long as life lasts. Many an one will
leave the charmed Enclosure with high
er aims and Ioftier purposes. 1t will
create the desire in thousands Of our
young to emulate the exampl. and if
possible to raise their state to greater
excellencs.' Would that such wisdom
might actuate the rulings OF al over
pious Congress.
Back of much Of the opposition to
Sunday opening lies the assumption
that the question is between native
and foreign born population. If We
mistake not, the same point was taken
in local pulpit. Certainly hose who
take such position, cannot be aware that
Uniyersalists, y nitarilns, Progressive
Friends. many Eplscopalians, Luther
ans, Catholics and Jews who are native
born are IN favor Of Sunday opening,
on both religious and ethical grounds.
But the chief plea made by the anti
openers is the assertion that this is
Christian country and that Christians
are commanded to keep holy the sab
bath day. While we yield to none IN
reverence and loyalty to the christian
name, we declare these assumptions
untrue to fact aud pernicious in their
influence. 1t was the expressed pur-
pose of Jefferson. franklin, Washington
and their compatriots. to found here
government hospitable alike to all
forms of religion, pledged to protect
alike the conscience Of Mohammedan,
Parsee, Jew and Christian, and any
attempt to commit our government to
the forms of any ore religion is to be
resented by all lovers of liberty and
friends of democracy. As for the com
mand to keey the sabbath holy, there
IL such in the religious literature Of the
Jews, which the Christians from the
outset, discarded both in the day and
manner. If any one is to appeal TO
Scripture authority for closing the
Worlds Fair, 1t should be our Jewish
friends and Seventh day Christians and
they will insist on Saturday closing.
The Sunday closing is a grave qnes-
ton about which honorable men and
women honestly differ. 1t is not yet
settled, and let no one hope to settle it
by appeal to natural prejudice or dog
matte use of Bible texts. There are
very many of our noblest men and
women believe that in opening the
Worlds Fair gates on Sunday and al
loving non sectarian religious services
by the ablest representatives Of alb
faiths, they are following both the pre-
cept and example Of Jesus who declared
1t was lawful to do good on the Sab
bath day"