The San Francisco call., 1896-05-15
The California Sabbath AsSocia.
tion Expresses It's Con-
victionS.
APPEAL FOR SUNDAY LAWS
Winerooms on Ferry Steamers, Saloons
Etc, Would Be Closed by This
Legislation.


its annual convention yesterday at the
auditorium of the y. NJ. G. A. building.
The first session, beginning at 10 o'clock
in the morning was opened by devotional
exercises, following which were the re-
ports of officers and the appointing'of COM
mittees.
The executive committee of the past
year in its annual report, outlined the &C
tion taken by it since the last convention,
its work being a work that would have
been done by the association had it been
in session, consisting largely in prepara-
ton for future action to be taken in behalf
OF Sunday observance, particularly with
reference 10 the enactment OF a new Sab
bath law. 1t also had prepared memorials
for the councils Of the three cities of Ala
media County asking the passage of an or
dinance TO close the open Sunday saloons
and cigar and tobacco stands, and further
10 prohibit the sale and delivery of Sunday
newspapers.
The second session, commencing at 80
P. NJ, was opened by the offering of q
prayer by Rev. DR.. Calhoun. The follow
ing officers and committees were elected
for the ensuing>year:
President, Rev. Dr.. S. H. Wiley; field secre-
tary, Rev. DR.. NJ. c. Briggs; corresponding sec
retary, Rev. n. r. Johnston; recording secre-
tary and treasurer. Mrs. Nellie B. Eyster.
Executive committee-ReV. Or. W. W. Case,
Rev. DR.. A. Calhoun, W. NJ. Cubery, Rev. Dr.
E r. Ollie, Mrs. Nellie B. Eyster, Rev. J. ".
French, Rev. DR.. W. A. Ketchum, Rev. Robert
Whitaker, Rev. ]. Cumming Smith, Rev. John
Kimball, Deacon L. c. Williams and Rev. NJ.
P. Boynton.
The following resolutions were framed
and adopted:
The Sabbath, as instituted by God, observed
ana eXpoundeo by Jesus Christ and realized in
human experience, is moral in its character
ana most Denehcent IN It's influences not in
stltuted Tor any particular people or ages, but
for the human family in all ages. Its observ-
ance as required by GoG is OF perpetual obi iga-
ton; by its right observance the moral char
ecter OF our citizens will be improved, every
interest OF the State promoted aud the duties
and privileges OF the Christian religion viii be
made possible TO all our citizens, Therefore,
ReS0lued, That we urge upon all friends of
the bbath the duty OF pressing themselves
from all participation in the many public ard
private ways OF Sabbath desecration now so
evidently prevalent in the State of California,
and that we earnestly request all professors OF
the Christian religion TO strive in every proDer
way, but especially by themselves remember
ing the sabbath day TO keepit holy, to induce
all the people OF our State TO honor the Sabbath
by rightly observing the moral requirements
which forever stand as divine safeguards OF
every human interest.
That we invite the cooperation OF all good
citizens in securing a Sabbath law in the State
OF California which shall restrain all our cti-
zens from unnecessary work and all demoral-
y
all the benefits of Sabbath rest and the oppor-
tunity 10 worship God.
That we petition Congress to enact law for
bidding the Carrying and handling of the
United States mail on the Sabbath and all un-
necessary labor by employees OF the Govern
ment and railroads and other corporations.
That saloons where intoxicating liquors
sold on the Sabbath are among the greatest
foes OF the sabbath; therefore, we ask Tor
State law closing them on the Sabbath.
Among the many forms OF Sa bbath desecra-
tion that curse the people none can ind less
excuse than the liquor saloon, the ferry-boets
on the bay OF San Francisco, these saloons are
evil and only evil every day of the week and
should be suppressed by law, but they are all
the more iniquitous and dangerous when they
are kept open on the Sabbath day in violation
OF the positive command the divine law gives,
therefore
ResolUed, That as friends of the Sabbath as
well as OF temperance we bear testimony
against this ineXcusable iuiquity, and hereby
earnestly beseech the officers of the company
that have charge or control OF these saloons to
abolish them.
Sunday newspapers are a modern invention
by which publishers hope to make money.
They are not needed. They are demoralizers.
They are enemies to the best interests of re-
require much secular work on the sacred day
OF rest, and these are produced for the reading
public in direct violation of the Divine Law.
At o'clock public meeting was held,
prayer being offered by Rev. DR.. J. NJ
French. Rev. Robert Whitaker delivered
an address on "The Duty of the State to
Secure a Weekly Rest-day for All La
borers."
He said that one of the happiest signs of
the times was the fact that this movement
hdd so many advocates. He believed that
If people are to make day of rest for the
working man it could be done only on the
ground of general good rather than on
specific religious reasons.
1T would be a great advantage to every
church," said he, 'if there was Iepisla-
ton making it unlawful to labor on thet
day, congregations and attendance would
be largely increased"
The Rev. DR.. W. w. Case followed with
an address on RESPONSIBILITIES of the
Pulpit and of the Church in Regard to the
Sabbath" He said the responsibility Of
the whole matter lay with the clergymeu
OF the evangelical churches. That there
was too much apathy among clergymen on
this subject. He believed the matter
should be worked up in the prayer meet
ings.
Every minister" said he, "should be
above suspicion on his subject in his own
practice. He should teach it persisently
by word and eXample-not once a year,
but all the time"
A short discussion followed, in which
several of the members took part, and all
expressed strong views on the subject
against any deviation whatsoever from
the divine rule concerning the Sabbath
day.
Rev. DR.. H A. Ketchum was delegated
TO convey to the Endeavorers at San Jose
their hearty cooperation and views on the
conducting of concerts on the Sabbath
day.
DISCUSSED SPRINKIING.