New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-06-19
SUNDAY GOLF PLAYING.
VIEWS OF CLERGYMEN on THE REV.
MR.. SUTOR'S REMARKS.
THAT THE WORKING CLASSES SHOULD
ENJOY THE PRIVILEGE on THE
ONLY DAY THEY HAVE FOR

ENJOY THE PRIVILEGE ON THE
ONLY DAY THEY HAVE FOR
OUTDOOR AMUSEMENT.
Is It wicked to play golf on Sunday? That
is the question that is bothering not .
few people who want to be good Chris
tans and church members but who also like
to swing the mashie and brassle on occasion
to vary the monotony OF long Sunday afternoon
The question is OF wider interest than may
be supposed for golf playing Sunday has
become common among the guests at country
houses and at summer resorts. well as
among persons who cannot find time during .
week to indulge in the game
So popular has the Sunday game become
among golf players that the question PROFOUND
ed at the beginning OF this article ;s .,..is
discussed by clergymen in their pupits. and
they are by no means unanimous in the con-
clusions at which they arrive.
While the general sentiment appears to be
against Sunday golf. there ministers who
say that it is question deserving OF the most
careful and sympathetic consideration whether
those whose opportunities for outdoor exercise
are limited to Sunday should be debarred from
recreation on the only day they have for IT. As
TO golf playing on Sunday by the leisure classes,
II Is almost unanimously condemned by the
clergy. There are exceptions however. and one
OF these. II telegraphc reports are true. is the
Rev J. w. Sutor rector Of Epiphany Episcopal
Church in Winchester. which is one OF the
most arstocratic suburbs OF Boston. He has
been quoted in favor OF Sunday golf not ex-
Guiding the wealthy class from the right TO In
duge in IT,
Tribune reporter devoted yesterday TO as
certaining the Views OF clergymen in this city
upon the subject. 1t may be stated in general
torn that fho,- ~,
They say that Sunday golf playing is subversivs
of respect for the Lords Day.
1T means the breaking down OF the Sabbath
and the desecration Of its sanctity." said the
Rev. DR.. +. S. Osbon. pastor of the Park Ave-
nue. Methodist Episcopal Church, yesterday. and
In this statement he voiced the general opinion
OF nearly all OF the other clergymen seen. II
do not approve of IT," he said. 1T is wrong
The increase of such practices will bring our
Sabbath down to the European level They
inculcate dsrespect for the Lords Day"
The Rev. DR.. Anthony II. Evans. pastor OF the
West Presbyterian Church. was another who
emphatically declared his disapproval OF Sum-
day golf
Il do not care to discuss the subject at
length" he said but | will say that I consider
Sunday golf playing wrong"
DIR. MACARTHUR's DTsAPPROvAL
Inc rev. Ut. MhCArtnur, pastor or calvary
Baptist Church, strongly condemned the prac-
tce
Il would very sharply oppose the playing Of
gclf or any other mere amusement on Sunday"
he said. In the first place. the great majority
of golfers belong to the leisure class and have
abundant opportunity to play on other days
than Sunday. In the second place. II We break
down the sanctity Of the Sabbath in the matter
Of mere amusement. others will break II down
in regard to ordinary work with the result that
for time the holy day will become simply a
holiday. and soon the holiday will give place
to the mere working day This has been Illus
trated in countries of Europe and Asia where
Sunday is not regarded as a holy day. Prac-
tically the Continental Sabbath is merely a
working day for aborers and many business
men.
I'm my recent travels in India and other
Asiatic countries clearly saw that in robbing
the Sabbath OF its religious significance work.
ing people robbed Of a day OF rest
Il am astonished that this Episcopal minister
should take such ground. 1t looks as II a
section of that Church in America was deter.
mined to break down the safeguards OF the Sab
in the interest OF working people. There are
very many persons in Paris, for instance, who
attach no special religious significance TO the
day. but who are making active efforts for OBJ
servance Of the Sabbath simply In the interest
OF the working people. similar movement Is
now organizing in this country, in which actors
and others are taking active part in order 10
secure to themselves and others one day OF
rest in seven In my opinion, the man who
breaks down the religious restraints that have
hitherto protected Sunday is breaking down at
the same time the protection for laborers OF
every class, and making 1t absolutely certain
that will have seven instead OF six working
days every week"
FAVORS 1T FOR WORKING CLASSES
Father c. l.. Wallis. Of the Episcopal Church
Of St. Mary the Virgin expressed the opinion
that the leisure classes having six days a week
for their outdoor amusements should not play
golf or other games on Sunday.
For those who are obliged to labor six days
a week. however, I approve OF amusements on
the Sabbath" he said provided they also at
tend to their religious duties The Fourth Com
mandment has nothing to do with forbiddne
play sunday. 1t only forbds work. All
play should be avoided on the Sabbath, how
ever that makes work for others. but as to
golf and such games for the working classes I
see objection provided, as have said. they
do not neglect their religious duties. / don't
believe persons OF the leisure classes should
play games on Sunday-such persons, for in
stance as are members Of the church OF which
the Rev Mr. Sutor is rector"
When asked yesterday TO express his opinion
with regard to the utterances OF the Rev. Mr..
Sutor concerning Sunday golf playing, the Rev.
Dr. George c. Houghton. rector Of the Church
Of the TRANSPORTATION, said
Il fear that such words these coming from
the pulpit have strong tendency 10 encourage
the loose and dangerous methods OF Sunday
observance which prevail in this country. From
what I know OF the Continental Sunday, think
II would be much preferable TO Sunday as Il is
observed in the United States. There they have
half day Here we have none. Now, IL golf
playing were not allowed 10 interfere with
gous duties-but | viii cross that bridge when
get 10 II. II the people were willing TO serve
God faithfully Sunday morning and TO attend
the church services. then | would be willing TO
treat with them 10 how they should spend
the rest OF the day"
JERSEY CITY MINISTER'S DIFFER.
SOME FAVOR HEALTHFUL RECREATIoNn
ON sUNDAY-oTHERs SEE DAN