The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1893-09-08
THE SUNDAY MOVEMENT.

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with the request that it be published. I
Inquiries have been made as to the
authors of the Sunday movement re.
Gently begun in Bloomsburg. 1t is
right that to these questions the gener-
al public should receive frank ans.
wer, and also know the spirit in which
the work is conducted. One paper
stated that it is the work of the Young
Mems Christian ASSOCIATION. The
following answer will show this to be
entirely mistake. 1t is the direct
work of the American Sabbath Union,
a national association. The Rev.
Mr.. Dony of Scranton is the secretary
OF this society for Northeastern Penn
sylvania. In its interests he visited
Bloomsbury and preached In four of
the churches. He urged the impor-
tance of the Sabbath upon the several
congregations and sought to interest
them in its observance and protection.
AT his suggestion requests were sent
ont to a number of persons supposed
to be interested to attend a meeting
and take such action as seemed best to
secure day of rest and quiet in &C
cordance with the constitution and
laws of our state. About forty re-
sponded. They met in the hail of
the Y M. G. A. at the close of their
regular prayer meeting on Sunday
afternoon, July 9th. This hall was
chosen as a convenient place. The
Rev. Mr.. Dony was present at this
meeting. He stated the value of the
Sabbath to the welfare of the com.
munity, its Importance to the working
men as day OF rest from labor giving
the necessity of guarding it against
the inroads of business. After several
addresses it was resolved that the diff.
ferent churches in Bloomsburg be re-
quested to appoint two persons to
form committee to take the matter
under its care, and endeavor to secure
the Sabbath against unlawful and hurt
full encroachments. All the Protes-
tant pastors in town with single ex-
ception were present at this meeting
and approved the measure. The
churches complied with the request
and the result is the Sabbath Protec-
ton Committee of Bloomsburg.
Now as to the spirit of the move
ment. 1t is not as has been asserted
revival of puritanical spirit, but
one of an earnest regard and sympathy
for the interests Of all concerned. 1t
was felt that in the competition of
business there is danger of our losing
the weekly rest day. Nothing is more
important to the busy laborer than
this season of rest and opportunity to
enjoy his home as we'll as attend
church services. There are several
occupations which are especially in
danger. The public do not realize
that men engaged in business as drug
gists, bakers, retailers in cigars, etc,
are entitled to this day of rest as we'll
as themselves. Whilst they would re-
gard it hardship to be compelled to
work on this day they seem to think
that these others should continue to
do so for their convenience. 1t is of
course understood that the public me-
cessity calls for the opportunity to
purchase medicine and fill physicians
prescriptions. But this can be done
by having their stores open for certain
hours without compelling them to re-
main in their places of business the
entire day. Those engaged in these
several occupations feel compelled to
yield to this unreasonable demand
lest Others less scrupulous should step
into their business, and bv unfair ad-
vantage secure their trade. 1t is to
the credit of all those hitherto so en-
gagged in Bloomsburg that with three
exceptions they have expressed d readi-
ness and even gladness to Join the
movement if all would participate and
they would thus be protected against
an unequal competition. Previous to
this movement the BARRIERS united in
refusing to surrender this day of rest,
at which no doubt, many selfish pat
rons felt greatly aggrieved. When
the ice company superseded the pri-
vate delivery it also abandoned Sun
day delivery and this without anyone
suffering any inconvenience. When
you note that often it is the clerk who
suffers the privation for which the
proprietor secures the benefit it is
evident where the hardship lies. He
can retain his position only at the
cost of his Sabbath, which his en-
ployer enjoys.
If it is asked who is back of this
movement the answer is the churches
which appointed the committee. Its
spirit is pure, gentle, and earnest, and
it appeals to all the citizens of Blooms
burg to aid in the securing of a day
of rest for all by words of approval
and acts Of encouragement so that
the precious heritaoe which we oh