New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-06-25
STNDAY COLE PLAYING.

The Rev. John w. Suter. of Winchester,
Mass, explains that he did not approve of
playing golf on Sunday. He says:
Individually considered there is no difference
between the forms of out-of-door exercise. Golf
playing, however, is not In the nature OF the
case an individual concern. The tramp, or ride.
or paddle is an individual matter. The game or
golf is a community matter. As such II is
game which in this Commonwealth Is under the
ban Of the law. Moreover, the appeal 10 the
law abiding sense is valid here. because this
law is not dead letter, but has the strong sup
port OF the community sentiment behind II. and
this Is deserving of respect. Golf may be more
individual than baseball and less conducive to
noisy and crowded circumstance, but before the
law and sentiment Of the community II is in
distinguishable, and one may not be counte-
nanced more than the other.
This is undoubtedly sensible view to take
of the question Mr. Suter Is careful not TO
condemn individuals who are able to reconcile
Sunday recreation with the obligations of re-
ligion In such cases he would undoubtedly
apply the words Of ST. Paul: "Who art thou
"that iudgest another mans servant? To his own
master he standeth or falleth" 1t would be
easy to say, 1T is wicked to play golf on Sun
day" But of this shortcut settlement of the
matter Mr. Suter says: This Is Purtanic
cutting Of the Gordan knot which is not pos
"sible TO my thought and faith, and Is state
"ment which does not appear TO me to be
"true" ''Out-Of-dOor life he adds, us lcgiti-
"matc item in a wise and holy use Of the day
"of DAYS and for those whose out-of-dOOr exer-
"cIse and recreation are limited to Sunday is
"an item deserving OF most serious and SYM
"pathctic consideration. The man whose only
"chance for free play in Gods air and sun
shine is Sunday Is helping to make that day
different from other days, and the best OF
"davs. when he uses some part Of the day for
this upllft for his life"
Rut I'm the case of such recreatOns as golf
and baseball other things besides the abstract
right of the individual must be taken into the
account IT, as In the State Of Massachusetts,
Sunday golf playing is contrary to the law, no
good citizen whether he is clergyman or not.
can countenance 1t. This is so clear that II
needs no argument 10 prove IT. If the law Is
unwlse il is the right OF every citizen TO agi-
tate for its repeal But while II is on the
stotute-book II demands and should receive the
most implicit obedience. Moreover, besides
that. golf is a game that requires the partcipa-
ton of others. and therefore the man who
wants to play it on Sunday must consider how
far he has the right to involve others, perhaps
Involuntary. in an act az TO which he cannot
be absolutely sure that they are as clear as he
s Still further. II Is game that necessarily
becomes a public spectacle in the community
where it is played. There may be, and gen
orally are, many good people in every com
munty TO whom Sunday golf playing is abhor-
rent Has the individual who sees his own
way clear to playing on Sunday the right TO
/ wound the conscience Of these people, On this
point hear again the words of the Apostle to
the Gentilcs: Wherefore, II meat make my
/ brother to stumble | will eat no flesh for
"evcrmore. that | may not make my brother
'to stumble" The principle that 81. Paul here
/ lays down in regard 10 the eating OF meats
offered to idols Is one that has wide appllca-
ton In all the affairs Of life, whether In the
sphere OF religion or OF society.
As to the general question OF Sunday recrea
ton. there can he no doubt that the sentiment
Of average Christians Is distinctly less hostile
than II was a generation ago. Whether or not
this modification Of view Is n good thing fol
the Church or for the world we cannot here
undertake TO say. The clergy themselves are
by no means agreed OH the subject But even