Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-06-28

Wherein then is the offence? What
is there in such concerts that is
not positively beneficial to the people
who listen to them? In what way is the
welfare of the community imperilled by
them? l am informed that parties who
have been prominent in opposing the Oak
wood concerts have gone very recently to
listen on the Sabbath day to the noble music
of the fine Togus band.
wish that all people could enjoy the
privilege of listening to such music. The
world would be better for it. / confess
that cannot see wherein it is worse to
listen to the Oakwood band than to the
one at the Home. Surely a sacred concert
paid for by small admission fees, can
be no more. Objectionable than one
supported by the proceeds of beer sales.
The so-called Sunday law, is one that be-
longs to the past. There are few of us
many times year. 1t is blue law whose
rigid and impartial enforcement upon the
people of our State for single week would
force it's repeal. Let us look at its text
moment. Section 20 reads: "WhOever, on
the Lords day, keeps open his shop. work.
house, warehouse, or place of business
travels,or does any work, labor or business,
on that day, except works of necessity or
charity uses any sport game or recreation /;
or is present at any dancing, public diver
sion. show or entertainment, encouraging the
same shall be punished by fine not exceeding
ten dollars
1 am aware that those who for various
reasons seek, now and then. to apply this
law to individual cases, lay great stress
upon the words "except works of necessity
and charity" as multiplying its sweeping
terms, for the most part, so far as the rest
of the people are concerned. Give to this
clause, however, the most liberal interpre-
tation and it will still be seen that the law
is a very stringent one in its character and
exceedingly large in its scope. What
would it do in Maine upon the Sabbath day
if literally enforced?
1t would close every livery stable; it
would stop every Sunday excursion; it
would abolish the Sunday papers and
Sunday trains; it would prevent druggists
from doing anything save the put
ting up of physicians prescriptions; it
it would stop the electric cars it would
make a law breaker of those who sought
recreation in fields and woods; it would be
hard to draw the line anywhere. If we
undertake to liberalize the statute by giving
unlimited scope to the phrase except works
of necessity and charity" it loses all its
force for by sufficient process of
stretching it might easily be shown
that Sunday concert at lakewood
was not only necessity" but, in view of
the small admission fee, good deal of a
"charity'' as we'll.
| am frank to say that | regard the es-
tablishing of lakewood Park, with its inter
esting and instructive collection of animal
life; its beautiful scenery its noble trees,
its wealth of fern and shrub; its "babbling
brook" and charming little lake a positive
benefit to our city. l cannot bring myself
to believe that those who go there of a
beautiful Sunday afternoon, to wander
among its woody walks, will fail to find
something of the inspiration that comes at
such times from the great heart of nature,
or to hear, amid its quiet beauties, the voice
of natures God. The fields, the trees, the
green grasses, the running waters, appeal
to what is best in human character and
stimulate what is noblest in human aspira-
ton. 1t is impossible to believe that any
man, woman or child who sits down amid
such scenes, under the blue dome of
Heavens cathedral, in the glad warm sun
shine of a summer Sabbath and listens to
the rendering of sacred music will fail of
growth in faith, or tina. the community
will be anything but gamer from his ex-
perience.
OBSERVER.