New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-12-24
WHERE DID HE GET IT."

The Puritan Sabbath was a grand, good thing
for the Puritan! Where he got 1t. Heaven only
knows-but Heaven assuredly does know! 1t was
not from the Jews as he fondly thought. for the
Jews kept the Seventh Day with feasting and So
cial cheer 1t was not from the primitive Chris
uans. FOR they knew nothing of the total alb
third century. The Puritan sabbath was. in fact.
a new embodiment OF the spirit of the Fourth Com
Of humanity and religion in the England Of Queen
EhzaDeth; Sunday in that land and age had be-
unrestra!nei riot for the rich Against double
evil the righteous soul OF the Puritan protested, in
bath a solemn visible declaration of the sacred
right Of the poorest creatures 10 their day OF rest
the sacred duty of all men to consecrate a day OF
sobriety and reverence TO the Of religion After
the destruction OF the Armada, his sabbath became
his watchword his STANDARD. his palladium. for
which ne was willing to suffer to fight, and to die
DO you wonder tina, whea he came in exile to this
YOU regret ha; he made it ' the centre o Of nh" his
CIVILIZATION? Let US admit that in maintaining it
IRENE fSna,isa Men Who Se sre IN esrne es to- s
lend an imperilled cause often too far and fast
But when we crticise their manners let to II
that we do justice to their sincerity and maintain
their integrity Much fault has been found with
the Puritan Perhaps he deserves it, certainly he
can stand it. For he had only the defects Of
his qualities he had what so few men. have, the
But Of all extremes the worst is the extreme of
self-complacent indifference. II is better to make
haye o pncne up w 9F bpr yH than
stand up So at least read the lesson of the Pur-
TAM who was neither lingo a Pilgarlic, but a
man who stood four-sonare TO all the winds that
The Puritan fenced in his Sabbath with a hard
stern wall of iron Let never forget that out OF
that sacred Enclosure issued the men and women
discipline to be the very backbone of the permanent
But is it possible. is it desirable. to restore and
p pc, the Iron wall at the present day? Can
nt ~ haney d1 hnk n be f
consistent though We may think Il unnecessary. for
hs or smos pp TO- or Rssns for wick
staying away from meeting; on the Sabbath. There
sssS rh T TsS AMER
lean Nation Is a civil institution with religious
law. can and must do two things, and no more
1t must secure the absolute right OF all who labor
privilege of ali Who worshp to do So in peace
quiet. according to the dictates OF their conscience
THE QUESTION TO FACE
Now. let us not shrink from applying these prin-
cples 10 the present situation. Here we stand
face 10 face with the question whether the liqusr-
saloons In this city shall be open on Sunday Ger
tain things clear: First long as the Pre- sent
law forbids them be open. every man with a
drop OF Puritan blood Will say they shall De shut
II have to Dol; every door with the right arm
OF Roosevelt and seal II with the ana hema of a
Parkhurst. Second the question what the future
law shall be must inevitably be decided by the
people of the city. Local option is coming. For my
part, ! should like TO locallzc II s more Why
not vote upon the question by wards and districts
Why not get an object lesson by comparison of
the actual effects of sunday Opening and sunday
closing upon the value OF property and the peace
o. neghborhoods in different parts of The same
city? Third the only thing to be done by those
who are against the Sunday saloon Is to educate
the people TO that there Is no reason under
valuable privilege which is denied to other mer-
chants. and that the opening OF dramshop for
every fifty families In this city Is probably the
worst way IN the world TO make peaceful and
happy day OF the American Sunday. Aapiause)
Meantime some OF who the difficulties o,
the situation and recognize its dangers fee, very
n UGH like the children OF friend OF mine who were
chased across field by ferocious COW. eve were
saved mamma" said the little girl I'VE were saved
in answer 10 prayer. told Tommy he must pray
prayer only what papa says at breakfast and told
him to say that he hoerea For what We are
about TO receive. the Lord make US truly thankful
and then crawled under the fence and were
saved"
Many OF the outward forms OF the Puritan Sab.
bath have passed away. But God grant that its
spirit and substance may vanish from our
heart and homes What memories haunt our souls
so strong precious as those that down
TO us from It's morning hour Of prayer around the
household altar. its nooniide hour OF worship in
the quiet house OF God its evening hour of music
IN the home. where voices long since fallen on
silence Joined N the sweet songs OF ZION? All our
lives long shall remember these things and the
remembrance will make better Drawer more
loyal and more seadfast men. tApp.ause)
And shall children have no such memories
Shall they look back from the coming conflict and
turmoil Of the twentieth century into homes where
you not rather restore TO your domestic and social
life the potency and promise OF your true fore
fathers day? And viii you not add 10 II the milder
but less sacred influence OF that other day near
ished the day OF St Nicholas the merry Christmer
Day? There Is no discord between them bur a true