The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1896-01-25
HOW SUNDAY Is KEPT IN
EUROPE.

One of my venerable and most respect
ed friends has written, asking me to
give the results of my observations upon
Sabbath keeping in Europe. He asks,
How is the Sabbath observed religious
| ly, and what is the effect of its non-ob-
servance upon the wages of laborers?
My recent travels have been confined to
Holland and Belgium, the German en-
pire. the Austrian Tyrol and Northern
Italy, and have specially observed the
Sunday life of the people, One general
remark may be made respecting all of
these countries. which / think would
apply equally to all the countries of Eu-
rope except the British isles; the morn
ing hours of Sunday are spent by all
who are free from enforced labor in re-
ligious services, and the remainder of
the day in family and public pleasures.
This is especially true of Roman Catho
lie countries. The church services be-
gin as early as five o'clock in the morn
ing, and are almost always finished be-
fore noon. usually before eleven o'clock.
The afternoon is given up to excursions,
pleasures parties. family meetings, and
in summer to general out-of door festi.
vities; and in the evenings the theaters
and concert halls present their chief at
fractions. The best operas and dramatic
pieces are given on Sunday evening, the
che icest music at the concert halls and
gardens is presented on the same night,
and the after part of Sunday is filled
with mirth and hilarity.
Public labor goes on as usual the year
around. Some of the railways reduce
the movement of freight trains, but
near great cities make exceptional ar
rangements for excursion trains on Sun
days, which involve more trains rather
than less; the streets are swept; most of
the postoffices are open-though in
some places the delivery is restricted
and what might perhaps be called neces-
sary official work is done as on other
days. The opening of shops varies in
different localities. Beer, wine and cigar
shops are almost invariably open. But
provision and goods shops are closed,
though some of the former are open for
a few hours on Sunday morning. In
some places labor is continued on build
ings (which are being erected, and it is
not at all uncommon, especially in the
large cities, to see materials and mer-
chandise hauled and carted through the
streets; but my observation would not
lead me to conclude that there was any
thing like general business in any cities
or towns, always excepting Jewish
quarters of towns, where Sunday is not
recognized and where Saturday is OBJ.
served as the Jewish Sabbath.
No continental Sunday after eleven
o'clock in the morning bears any resem-
blance to our American Sabbath. The
day is divided between religious services
and secular amusement, and the latter
has the larger part of the time, and pos
sibly the majority of the people. Many
persons plan special excursions for Sun.
day, and this is particularly true of those
who are closely confined all the week,
and who have few, if any, other vaca.
tions and holidays. This recreation usu-
ally involves the entire neglect of reli-
gious services on Sunday, but some-
times occupies only the afternoon and
evening.
The Roman Catholic churches are we'll
filled in the morning, and there is a no.
ticeable increase of men in attendance
upon the services in spite of what is
said of the progress Of socialistic and ag-
nostic ideas. When recall the appear
ance of Roman Catholic churches in
Europe at different periods during the
past forty years. I am sure that the
change is in favor of church attendance
by men. This may be accounted for by
the fact that there is marked differ
ence in the view which is taken of the
Catholic church since the Pope ceased
to be secular sovereign. The church
is now recognized as purely spiritual
body, ard though the Pope protests
against such a condition. it is fact and
has its influence with multitudes of
men. They believe the doctrines of the
Roman church. and they are attached to
services in which they have been
brought up. and since politics and reli-
gion are separated, they have more in
terest in religion, and consequently at
tend church more.-NeaO York Observer.