Marietta daily leader. (Marietta, Ohio) 1895-1906, 1901-07-04
LEApI 6 MINISTER'S
Come TO Aid Of State Fair Officials Rival
Religious Services.

kopSNldi W bIS 1O<tQOA.
Columbus, O., July 3.-Since the
state board of agriculture has decided
to open the gates of the state fair on
Sunday, and provide for religious ex-
ercises in the afternoon. some of the
ministers of the city are contemplating
going into the religious attraction bus
mess.
There is talk of their engaging the
auditorium and holding religious ser
vice on the Sunday afternoon the fair is
in progress as a counter attraction to
the state fair and it's Sunday afternoon
religious service. Rev. Crittendon, the
celebrated evangelist, is mentioned as
the speaker.
"The service had not been thought OF
until it was learned that the State
fair was to be opened on Sunday" said
q State official Tuesday. Then it was
proposed that counter religious at
traction be supplied. Prior to this, be-
fore it had been announced that the
fair was to be open on Sunday, y al
though it was known that thousands
of strangers would be in the city
thronging the down town districts, the
opponents of the Sunday opening had
not proposed the plan Of a religious
service at the auditorium. Something
must be done at this time, however, to
prevent the people going to the fair,
where there is no liquor on sale, no
gambling allowed, and where one or
more great religious meetings will be
in progress during the afternoon"
1t has been learned that Dr. E. L.
Rexford, president of the Pastor union,
is not the only member of that organi-
zation opposed to the resolution de-
manding the closing of the State fair
gates on Sunday. He seems to have
been the only one who voted against
the, resolution, but several OF the other
pastors secretly sympathize with his
attitude, and while they did not vote
against the resolution, are understood
to have refrained from voting for it.
Some OF these gentlemen haveproffered
their assistance to Secretary w. W.
Miller in making the gospel services
at the fair grounds q success.
President Thompson of the State Un-
iversity, who for years has been presi-
dent Of the State Sunday School as
sociation, is strongly in favor of open
ing the gates of the fair on Sunday,
and similar position is taken by Rev.
DR.. Atwood. of Trinity Episcopal
church.
Secretary Miller has given out state
ment, part of which is as follows:
"At late meeting of the board the
matter came up and full discussion
was had, and each member expressed
himself opposed to the opening of the
exposition as on other days Of the
week. Each one. however. was con-
vinced that much good might follow
the opening under proper conditions.
"The opinion generally expressed and
fully determined upon was that relig-
ious services be held during the after.
noon. 1t was determined that one or
more eminent pulpit divines of the
country be invited to participate. Also
the best hand possible be secural to
render only sacred music, and promi- |
nent choral society to lead the vast
congregation in singing old, familiar
hymns.
Believing that an afternoon dew Cd
to the betterment of man and not SIM
ply for his diversion would rebound to
the credit of the exposition and the
management, and let him who tolls and
has no vacation save on the Sabbath,
see the evidences of the greatness of
his state, the board acted unitedly and
the vote was unanimous for the gates
to be thrown open.
while the program for the day has
not yet been arranged, it will be soon,
and the names of thespeakers announc
ed. 1t is known, however. that several
of the prominent Columbus ministers
and some from other cities will deliver
addresses"