The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-06-28
SABBATH OBSERVANCE.
The Ministerial Association Declares
Itself On This Subject.

At the meeting of the Ministerial as
ISOLATION yesterday the following paper
was adopted:
The Ministerial association of Salt
Lake City hereby expresses its hearty
commendation of the recent utterances
in the tabernacle by President Joseph
F. Smith concerning the prevalent Sab
bath dissertation, and joins With him
in solemn protest against the malnten-
ance of so-called pleasure resorts whose
demoraliZing influences are multiplied
on Sundays with such disastrous et-
fects upon the young people who are
attracted thither, that the question of
their suppression presses itself serious
ly on the attention of all friends OF
public morality.
The association embraces this oppor
tunity to appeal to the managers OF
mining companies, railroad corpora
lions, and other employers of labor. to
abate the wrongs that are so generally
perpetrated by them on workingmen by
depriving them of the weekly day of
rest guaranteed by the law.
The operation of mines on Sunday, and
the running of excursion trains on that
day cannot possibly be brought within
the necessary labor permitted by our
statutes: and we therefore earnestly
urge said corporations to obey the laws
to invoke when their own rights are in
vaded by wrong doors. Those who de-
mand the protection of law should
themselves refrain from its violation.
Among the reasons which forcibly
suggest a union of all good citizens in
efforts to secure a better observance
of Sabbath laws are the following:
First-It is a law of God written not
only in his word, but also in human
nature. Science approves the state
ment that ''the Sabbath was made for
man." careful investigation showing
that the weekly day of rest in addition
to nightly cessation from toll is neces
sary to the perfect maintenance of
health and life.
Second-The observance of the day
is demanded by proper regard for the
law of the state. When public senti
ment has become crystalized in legis-
lation, good citizenship requires ready
and general obedience. Anything less
than this tends towards the overthrow
of the foundation principles of a re-
publican form of government. Disobe-
dience to one law paveS the way for
disregard of all law, and leads newt
ably towards anarchy and destruction
of all that holds society together. Safe
ty is assured only when all laws are
and fully obeyed.
Third-Compulsory labor on Sunday
is a violation of the rights of con-
science guaranteed by the constitution.
Men who of necessity are compelled to
labor for others, and who yet have J
convictions against work
ing on the Lords day, are placed at a |
in the labor market, and |
are thus made to suffer for conscience i
sake, which is an infraction upon their |
rights as American citizens and con- |
dition of things which ought not to be |
allowed to exist. We insist that en- /
ployers commit a wrong when they |
compel men to suffer for obedience to
their religious convictions, and a proper
regard for the laws of the state.
In view of the growing evil of Sab
bath dissertation, we congratulate our
selves. and the friends of Christianity
generally, that the authorities of the
most prominent church are awakening
to the need of abating this evil, and we
pledge ourselves to earnestly support
any well directed effort to lessen the
amount of this great sin against God
and crime against the state.
,Signed)
'Signed) W. H oAGRY
WAKE, Chairman.
Secretary