Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-07-04
The wheel and the POiptts
PHILADELPHIA press.)

Such June day as last Sunday. pre-
eminently n "blcycle Sunday" calls at
tention to what may be described IS the
question OF the hour. the use and abuse
of Sunday as n fieh-day for wheeldom.
The recent crusade Of clergymen IN this
city against club runs on Sunday,
which met with more or less favorable
response from number OF the Leading
clubs, indicates perhaps. the line which
some of those In the pulpit draw between
use and abuse There is no question
that so far as bicycling Is a desecraton
OF the sabbath II reaches It's most ma
grant development In the noise and num-
bers OF a club run. But that those not
causists might defend even tho club run.
must be admitted; for, when 1t comes
down to fhe points, IL is not easy In
these days OF humanitarian Christianity
to declare off-hand that things innocent
in themselves are goddess.
Few take the old guard OF strict Sab
batarian constructionists seriously any
more. The world has become moro '3y-
GUS on Sunday. as we'll as on Weekdays,
and has become better along with II. As
a day of repelent gloom, or needless
sacrifice, the Sabbath OF narrow sectaries
has passed away. The sun shines on sun
day as well as on the other days or the
week, and this Is hint that has been
OF value to many OF the leading clergy
men OF the day IN all denominations who
know 1t IS easier TO be dogmatic than
good and conventionally religious With
ont being I'm practice other than pagan.
There is also to-day a profounder recoB-
milton OF the law that the Sabbath was
made for man, ana not man for the SAB
bath.
or all the innocent diversions for sun
day, the wheel Is certainly the most
morally and physically wholesome. ~ Is
In use OF all classes. IL leads away from
the back streets and corner lounging, 80
much a feature of city life In certain
districts and among certain classes years
ago. to the open fields and the more
precious aspect OF Heaven and earth
| found In the country. IL ia true recre.
alton. Antagonize the Sunday use OF
the wheel and nothing Will be gained.
Adapt services TO the new condition, pare
| tlcularly i'm summer months, and the ele'
| ment OF spirituality in man which needs
10 be nurtured. and to which tho one day
in seven IS dedicated. may be duly served.
In this matter the incorporate pulpiteer
| may be as far wrong az the most uneoh-
| scionable wording. When line drawn
| between the bad and the good runs Do.
| tween those who ride on Sunday and thoss
VINO 90 not, thSH ~ WIN " ''~ = ~
| q crusade.
| In fine, let the churches see that tnelr
| members keep In due bounds; let tne out.
| siders remember that they owe respect
| NJ the day for the sake OF Others. X
| not for themselves Let all wheeling %
| devoid of offensive features, and let IL Do
| remembered that for the worker this q
his sole day for restful recreation. y
good Judgment and tact DO displayed n
| win not be long before wheeling on sun
| day as an evil will no longer be In the
list OF things TO be mathematical. Coca
rnorais and true religion must rest on .
, sound mind In n sound body. And this
condition IL hastened-not hlndered-f~
the use of the wheel-and its use on sun
day at that.