The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-08-22
AN APPEAL FOR THE SABBATH.
MIR. EDWARD THOMSON DELIVERS
AN INSTRUCTIVE DISCOURSE.

The Christian Religion One of the
Foundation Principles of the
American GOvcrnment-The Sab
hath and It's Observance Especial
" Recognized in the Declaration
of independence and the COnstitu-
tion-The sunday League of Ameri-
ca and the Work II Is Doing.
Mr.. Edward Thomson Ii. D, delivered
most interesting discourse at Wesley
Monumental Church yesterday on the sub
iect Of Sunday Observance. The congre-
cations Of Wesley Monumental and Grace
churches united at the morning service,
and both Rev. J. O. Branch and Rev.
o. f. Cook were in attendance. Mr..
Thomson. who is general manager OF the
Sunday League Of America, is one Of At
lanta's prominent lawyers, having moved
TO that city from Chicago some time ago.
The Sunday League, Of America Of
which Mr.. Thomson is the chief executive
officer, is an incorporated body, under the
laws Of the state OF Ohio. that state hav-
ting been chosen on account Of its central
location The primary object Of the So
a proper Observance of the Sabbath may
be brought about everywhere. It's work
is not alone national but is continental
The league does it's work in it's own
peculiar way. 1T does not take up collec-
tons where services are held in the in
terest of its work, but asks for subscrip-
tons to leaflets which deal with the sub
5ect Of Sunday observance and reform,
the object being that these leaflets shall
be distributed far and wide. Church mem-
bers are expected to subscribe for them,
and they are then distributed through the
agency of the churches with a view to
thoroughly promulgating the ideas Of the
leaders of the league upon the Sabbath.
A subscription of 81 worth Of leaflets for
distribution entities the subscriber to
life membership In the league, and to all
of It's privileges. The constitution re-
ouires that every cent thus collected shall
be expended In advancing the work OF the
society.
Mr. Thomson has made a most thorough
study Of the subject of Sunday reform,
and has prepared a course of twenty-three
lectures on that line which are interesting
and attractive. His discourse at Wesley
historical line, going to show that the
founders of this country recognized the
Christian religion and particularly the
Sabbath in all of their acts.
The United States, he said, Is essential
~ Christian country because its found
ers We're Christians and they made 1t so
He took up the Declaration Of Independ-
ence, and showed that 1t was essentially
a Christian document, recognizing not
only the Christian religion but the Sab
bath. He called attention to special words
and clauses In 1t which referred TO God
and 10 the Sabbath day. He spoke also
of several of the men who took a promi-
nent part in the foundation such as John
Adams, Gen. Washington and others, call
ing attention to correspondence and other
expressions of theirs IN which they re-
fered to religion in connection with mat
tiers of government.
H then took up the constitution Of the
United States and showed that 1t was also
essentially a Christian document. Through
out it recognizes Christianity and closes
with a recognition of Christ being signed
''in the year of our Lord 1851" The consti-
tuition recognizes the Sabbath and the OBJ
serVance of that day when it gives the
President ten days. Sundays excepted, In
which TO sign acts of Congress. The fore
fathers Of our country therefore recog-
nized Sunday as day of rest. They ex-
pected the President 20 be a Christian,
ana lDey expected MN 10 ODSeFNe Cnflb-
tian principles. No matter how large the
country grows the President shall for
ever enjoy his Sunday rest. Sunday was
expected TO be a day free from secular
employment, free from hilarity a day Of
rest, worship and praise. Sunday observ-
ance is found throughout American life,
law and history.
The religious amendment TO the const-
tuition, preventing the passage of any leg
islatlon IN favor Of any particular church
Is frequently misunderstood Mr.. Thorn
son said. As a matter of fact Congress
does pass religious legislation. Both
bodies Of Congress have a chaplain. Each
house is thus organized into a Christian
church, with a Christian minister at its
head whose salary is paid from the pub
lie treasury. Every war vessel in the
navy and every regiment in the army
has its chaplain He referred 20 the
brave Capt. Philip, who after the 0ictory
at Santiago called upon his men to give
thanks to the Almighty God. The govern
ment thus recognizes, he said that there
Is no hope in the life to come except
through Christ. He spoke of a famous
decision of Justice Brewer of the United
States Supreme Court, in which he stated
This court must hold that this is a
Christian nation" and there was not a
dissenting opinion. Upon every silver dol
lar. and upon every large coin of the
United States is found that same thought,
in God we trust
The people of this country should be
worthy OF their heritage and their history,
and cherish and maintain the principles
which were thus established by their fore
fathers. Mr. Thomson then called for
subscriptions to the leaflets which are
issued by the league, and large number
were called for by the two congregations.
These leaflets Will be distributed through
out the city. Last night Mr.. Thomson also
delivered a lecture on Sunday Observ-
ance" az the Duffy Street Baptist Church.
There was a good congregation present,
and a most instructive and entertaining
talk was heard.