The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1899-07-14
RRES. RALPH REPLIES.
To the Condemnation by Rev. Sweet Of
Caledonia Park


had not thought it necessary to dis.
cuss the subject of Sabbath observance
that has been exploited through the
columns of the press and from one of
our pulpits, until l found what dircc-
ton the efforts of some possibly very
good, but over Jealous persons would
lead them into AS matter of fact
the question of Sabbath observance is
governed by the dictates of our own
conscience And what one person
would consider very harmless pies
ure another person whose ideas are to
certain extent puritanical, would
consider great crime, take for in
stance dancing at all times, driving,
reading Sunday newspapers, etc. Now
these people should be allowed to
observe Sunday in their own way,
allow them to attend divine worship
as they wish whenever he gets himself
worked up to such a pitch of excite
ment that he condemns everybody who
does not think and agree him him.
The base of all our institutions is laid
and has been made on the example and
customs of other and older countries
Germany, England, France, etc. Our
language is derived from the Latin,
and Greek, our laws are based princi-
pally on the old English laws, etc.
Now in these countries we must admit
there are very respectable people, who
attend to their divine services and
worship God on the Sabbath and do
not consider it crime to seek recrea-
ton in parks and other pleasure resorts
on that day.
l know from the New Testament that
some of the followers of Jesus Christ
when he was on earth became so Off
cious as to accuse him of Sabbath desc
Grafton when he went into the cornfield
to get food to appease his hunger and
they were very properly rebuked by
Him. We have certain class of very
good people in our community who
have to work six days out of the seven.
do not think they should be openly
denounced of criminals because they
wish to devote few hours on Sunday
to harmless recreation (by a person
who has six days of the week for
pleasure and one day, Sunday, to labor
l consider that this person who pre-
sumes to be dictator and reformer
might be in better business, even
though he occupies the pulpit, and pro.
fesses to be great delineator of the
gospel.
Now word regarding the Park, of
which so much has been said. This re.
sort has the enviable reputation of hav-
ing been the pleasure ground and has
entertained over 100000 people in the
past three years of its existance. There
has never been one arrest, there has
never been fight, in fact nothing of a
debasing character has ever taken
place there. 1t is needless to say no
liquor was ever sold on the ground
This is record to be proud of and can
not be excelled by any similar resort in
the country, we certainly do compli-
ment ourselves on its successful man
agement.
AS admire reform when it is sim
cerely advocated and followed out,
am in favor that it be put to the test,
that all labor be stopped, that all stores
and the back doors of saloons, Sunday
excursions, and even the taking up of
church collections be abolished on Sun
day, and would suggest that the COM
bining of slangy phrases with Christian
exhortation be also discontinued. If
we are to have an era of reform, let us
be sincere and have it right or else we
are no better than the Pharisee who
went into the temple and praised God
that he was not like other men who
were such miserable sinners
IT