The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-07-24

mayor, who had frequently expressed
favorable sentiment toward this movement
OF his constituents in the interest OF the
peace and order Of the city. Assurances
of cooperation were freely given and that
cooperation was looked for in vain. The
mystery is only explainable through pol
tical alliances whose tracks are covered 1t
need only be said that the mayor of the
city has disappointed the expectations of
Christian people who gave him their suf-
frages, and has seemed to regard more the
pledges to the city's enemies, the vicious
and the immoral. Scarcely less We're the
expectations centering In the courts of
justice, presumably always on the side of
morality and good order. Appeals from
ueclSlons clearly and absolutely within the
jurisdiction OF the alderman are allowed
wheh delay Is the apparent and only pur-
pose. Judgments are reversed on mere
'echnlcalltieS final decisions of trivial
Proceedings are delayed for months, until
their possible good effect is utterly de.
stroyed, All these peculiarities OF the
situation and developments give proof that
the bulk OF history is unwritten. They
nave had their weight in hampering
movement which will bear the scrutiny of
the brightest sunlight.
10 lllE MON l4MENI pEADE
A Christian city, or an ufldel city; the
best element in the asCendancy, or the
worst-that is after ALL the question. An
orderly, quiet, restlul Sunday, as God
made IL, and the law cOnserves 1t, or a hOl.
iday with all its concomitants, paving the
way for work day and the enslavement
of the poorer classes-another problem
which it is wise to consider. To defend tho
hpig Gal hl,ot - ,yhN b. 10,
it il wrong In this Is the real issue, and
by this test will the movement be judged,
and on this basis will it live or die. 1t is
the province OF a movement to move. The
natural order is forward, not backward; |;
but it may rest, and 1t may die while rest
ing Let us hope not IN this case, The de
mise OF such a work means much. We are
bad enough with Sabbath, what would
we be without one?
1t is within the power of Scranton to be
a model city. Her citizens should be CON
tent with nothing less The character Of
her Saobaths Will determine the character
of the city itself and affect favorably or
otherwise the prosperity and happiness
OF the people. The Sabbath Is the smile
OF God; to save 1t is to be approved to let
1t sip is to face perils aud desolatiOn
which no human hand can stay, and
which will, sooner or later, appall the
stoutest human heart. The Sunday clos
ing movement, when under personal dl-.
rection of the undersigned was effective.
1t reached results and held them For
three months 1t maintained its position at
heavy cost, aud was handed over to the
citizens committee because the Sabbath
union was without funds for its continu-
ance. Criticisms We're powerless and the
HaN NF Ia IDnu NA. ,.,s. n
that could be desired. When the writer
resigned the Craftsmanship he by no
means abandoned the work. As secretary
Of the American Saba h union, with a
district embracing eighteen counties, he
has surely no lack Of business and respon-
sibiity.
ORIGIN OF THE MOVEMENT
The Sunday movement was child of
the American Sabbath union. That or
ganizaton ls still In the city and will re-
main. Its mission is for good only ana it
has proved its right to live. 1t VIII press
the battle, not with the enemy's weapons,
but with the arts and devices that make
for peace and may win and hold the conf
dence Of all good people. It's district sec
retary, with more than three years asso-
citation with its great work, has more
confidence than ever in its success. lie
invites sympathy and co operation from
all who love the day, assuring them that
its work will be pros scuted with vigor and
fidelity and with such dignity and self re-
spect as will retain the confidence aud
support Of all who value the day as day
Of rest and worship and favor its protec.
tion from influences that would overthrow
and destroy it. Correspondence from
friends of the work is cordially invited.
+. A. DoNY,
Dist Sec'y American Sabbath Union.
Scranton, July 20, 1891.