The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-08-11
THE NEWS MAIL BAG.
The Peoples Day VS.. The Lords Day.

The Peoples Day VS.. The Lords Day
To THE EDITOR OF THE News:
SIR-Having been variously represented
chieny misrepresented, concerning nv
sermon last Sunday evening; and being
the recipient Of letters from hard worked
dry goods clerks, ETC., charging me with
not plying them and the like, desire To
make some statements in The NEWS, the
peoples paper.
And first, in that sermon, / tried to
show the fundamental difference between
holiday and holy day; that no change
OF time or customs, in any age, was to
subvert the Decalogue.
I claimed for the Sabbath of the Bible
Ia day of rest from ordinary work and
amusements) that 1t was not arbitrary
but reasonable. Proof is at hand and
overwhelming to show that the world can
get on faster and do more work, of brain
and Drawn, and even by cattle and ma
chine, In SIX days than in seven. II was
written on the tables of the brain, the
muscles and limbs and organs of man,
long before 1t was written on tables of
stone: Remember the Sabbath day to
keep it holy" Nature and revelation call
Tor the same day OF rest, one in seven.
Many factory foremen have told me
That Monday a. m. Is the poorest time
OF the week for work in facto-
ries where large numb bers of the en-
ployes rush off on Sundays to shore re-
sorts, etc. 1t is not clergymen's rant but
TACT that most so-called Sunday recres-
tion Is not recuperation but exhaustion.
"A tow-boat captain on the Erie Canal
once told me that after ceasing to run
Sundays men and horses did better. Ali
the wearing gear lasted better and he
made more money. Everything indicates
the reasonableness Of the Sabbath rest.
"Do you not believe in day of fresh air
and recreation for us?" asks Anon In a
letter before me. evidently written in one
OF our large dry goods stores. Most GER
tainly do, and have always tried in the
pulpit and by voice and pen to
help secure at least, the Saturday
lf-hoiiday for all wage -earners.
have myself toiled hard ever since my
10Th year, (broke down of overwork-for !
The hard workers are not only the hand |
workers) and am in sympathy with the
poor and the laboring class. And Christ |
who was OF that class and kept in touch |
With them, while he broadened, or showed
he broadness OF the law to cover cases of
charity and necessity on the Sabbath.
'till he did not do or say thing to
the modern wild, registering
tyle In which from 10000 to $1,000 peo-
'le in and around Providence speno the
lay which God has called his own.
Yes, day OF recreation for the toiling
masses but not Gods day for it. One of
he six he has given, not the one he has
eserved for worship.
Th. ata f.,t. q q h.. 4
on exercising any labor or business or
'ork of his ordinary calling, or to use any
anne, sport, play or recreation on { he first
ay oil the week, ETC." under certain pen
tiles.
That law ought to shut up Crescent
ARK on sunday as well as the Providence
pera House; should stop every ball game
much ss halt grocery team. Let there
fairness, for which, forsooth, so many
lead. do, too. And an "equal chancen
phrase In another critics letter. ought
make people unselfish enough to stay
olne Al not to attend church) SUNDAYS
id give railroad and steamboat employees,
'oks aud many, many others chance To :
y one day out OF seven to breathe and
INK and rest. And, II IL is right to brenk
&c oaboath in recreation, il is equally
TO break IL by work. Who can say.
Iher, how soon the latter is coming
hen the employees In many a factory q,
oreeasting day down the river) will b
ar the foremen announce Saturday "
'ernoon; mo shutting down tomor- Or
W. ana no man out OF his place or he n
ii lose IT," Ave! no Sabbath for wor- h,
Pnnone ior amusement. IL Is among IN
's"ole revenges the whirligig OF time or
ay bring =,
Ay space Is limited and give my reader ~