New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-07-13
SUNDAY BICYCLING.

A CORRESPONDENT HOLDS THAT CHRISTIAN
SHOULD NOT RIDE DURING CHURCH SERVICE
To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: The Tribune always speaks with Q good deal
Of authority. IN spite OF this fact exceptions
frequently taken 10 some OF It's statements. and
that 1t Is not surprised at this, and that Il
does not consider itself infaible The Tribune is
very tolerant in religious discussions. but think
decidedly loose times In handling bicycle matters
I'm the mean while" says editorial In the paper
Of June entitled THE Wheel and Its Critics" "a
multitude OF cyclers. many Of them active church
members. ride Sunday. In spite Of all that the
clerical critics say" One has a right infer from
this that The Tribune is certainly not opposed to
Sunday cycling. from this particular passage
cannot tell whether the riding is limited to any par
ticular part OF the Sabbath day or not Active
church members ride on Sunday" That Is all We
have to Judge by
II We are not mistaken. this paper some time ago
made the statement that church members deserted
their pews Sundayschool teachers their classei for
the sake of taking spin on the wheel. and the
statement Is made in such a way that careless
reader might infer that The Tribune was rather
pleased with the actions OF these Christians. Now OF
course, II IL absurd to abuse inarmate machine.
which simply does the bidding OF an animate organ
ism, not well adjusted always as the machine.
and which can commit no sin Of Itself We
that the bicycle has It's though 1t is perhaps
not In every respect what its worshppers claim for
1t. and further sure that its use and abuse
both depend upon those who ride il. To that Its
origin and !ts right exist Scrpura Is absurd.
To discuss some OF the fine distinctions for or
against its use on the Sabbath day Is futile There
are differences OF opinion and always will be- on how
10 observe the Lords day properly whether with or
without the vince. But there can be no differences
Of opinion this question that Is. 10 the minds Of
Christian people, whether has right 10 de-
eert his church Sunday school, on general prin-
ciples for the sake Of taking ride on his bicycle on
the Sabbath day. The man who IL a real. genuine
Christian will be at his place in church or in the
Sunday school He is constructed spiritually that
his supreme pleasure IS to forward Christs kingdom
through the church and the Sunday school. The
church or Institutions like the church. are the APP
pointed means of furtherinc Chrtsts kingdom. And
when we say the church we do not mean anything
narrow by IT, A man may become educated without
going to school and the regular routine of school
work None the less the school Is the means by
which the process OF education, in the MAN, is going
on So the church Is the institution through which
in the main the process OF capitalization Is to pro-
coed 1t is not question now whether the preach
ing or the general work Of the church Is up TO the
required standard The Christian man has his spir
iual home In the church and II he is correctly
stttuted spiritually. he will go there on Sunday and
attend services 1t may be a debatsbe question
whether he may take spin after services are over.
but the Christian cannot love his wheel more than