The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-03-14
THOUSANDS TOLL ON SUNDAY.
SABBATH DISSERTATION DISCUSSED
BY DIR. EDWARD THOMPSON.

Large Enterprises Operate on Sum
day, He Says, When There Is No
Necessity for 1.-THE Believes IL
Unnecessary TO Have Railroad
Train and Mail Service on This
Day-CaIifornia Statistics Show
That Crime and Poverty Followed
Repeal of Sunday Restraining
Laws.
Edward Thompson, LII. D., of Chicago,
manager of the Sunday League, spoke TO
Mems Christian Association yesterday aft
ernoon on the more pronounced Sabbath
dissertations, giving statistics in support of
his conclusions. At the conclusion DR..
Thompson briefly outlined the objects of
the league and invited those who felt in
clined to become members.
Sabbath dissertations were treated by
discussing the possibility of operating
three great enterprises, the railroads, the
mail service, and the newspaper, without
the support they, receive from Sunday
work. While the position was not taken
that 1t is unnecessary to operate enter
prises on Sunday, still DIR. Thompson de-
clared there are many operating which
could relinquish Sunday work and allow
employees to rest without losing anything.
Numerous illustrations were given TO
demonstrate the fact that there is little
profit in Sabbath desecrating, even though
it be by the greatest enterprises of the
country.
The relations which one man bears to
another and his duty to arrest others in
evil doing was one of the first ideas ad-
vanced. Where men are inclined TO vio-
late the Sabbath law. he said, there is
! some friend who can at least influence
them toward doing right. Among the evils
which now confront Christian people and
! demand their prayerful attention is Sun
day dissertation, which has grown to such
proportions as to become alarming to all
interested During the last ten years, he
said, the population of the United States
has increased 26 per cent, and with this
is an increase of Sc per cent. in the num-
Der of people engaged in Sunday labor.
| There is an increase, he said, in the number
of Sunday theaters, ball games, bicycle
races, horse races excursions and frivol-
tiles. The harm of this comes not alone
to the present generation, DR.. Thompson
said, but posterity is to inherit the vices
which are practiced by people of the pres
ent.
The day has always been recognized as
one of rest, but is not now being observed.
| DR.. Thompson said that in the organic
| law of the nation, and In all legal docu-
ments, it is provided that Sunday shall
be excepted. The President is not requir-
ed to labor on the Sabbath notes and
/ contracts are illegal when made on that
day, though in the different states Iegisla-
ton on the subject widely differs. 1t is
| provided that Congress shall meet ION
| the first Monday of December" which,
| he said, was in order to prevent the pos
sibility of holding the session on Sunday,
as might be the case with numerical 'des-
| ignation of the day. The day is not for
business and frivolity, he said, but was
set apart for rest thought and divine
worship.
| Three millions of men, women and
children are estimated to be engaged at
Sunday toll, DR.. Thompson said which is
a conservative reckoning. With every
man there should be a strong feeling of
fellowship for his toiling brethren, and
especially those violating both divine and
secular law. There is very small per
cent. Of the Sunday toilers who pursue
their work from necessity. Attention was
called TO the fact that there, are 100000
men in the employ of different railway
systems and of these so per cent. are de-
prived of Sunday rest and the opportunity
TO observe the day even if inclined to
do So
The speaker said he talked with a rail-
road man in Georgia recently who said
he had not had the privilege of a Sun
day to himself in years, and this in the
face of the fact that Georgia has about
the best legislation among the states
against Sunday trains There is no law
in this state against moving perishable
freight on Sunday, such as pumpkins.
hogs, watermelons and cabbage. Neither
rs their any law against carrying pas
sengers on Sunday, and DR.. Thompson
amusngly called attention to the fact
that the law makes no distinction be-
tween the two ificatlons-passengers
and perishable freight.
But, he said, there are cases of unwar-
ranted Sunday travelling. Many young
men postponed visiting their grandmothers
an the country until Sunday, when they
can so without losing any time. The case
is about the same with the merchant. who.
desiring to make his regular annual ptir-
chasing trip to New York will wind nm
all business Saturday night and arrange
to travel on Sunday in order not to lose
time The same may be said of the law
yer who has a case to argue Monday
morning In Washington. He too, con-
cludes everything and prepares to start
Sunday that time may be gained
With considerable stress, DIR. Thompson
declared that God gave man six days to
work and reserved one, which wes stolen
when appropriated to mans own aggran-
dizement. One of the most aggressive po-
htical campaigns ever waged in this coun-
try, DR.. Thompson said, was by w. ].
Bryan, for the Presidency. Mr. Bryan
Travelled over 1900 mice during the cam
paign, but did not make any of his journeys
on Sunday.
Leaving this, DR.. Thompson took up the
Sunday mail service and adduced evil
dences 70 prove II unnecessary. There Is