New-York tribune., 1901-06-06
SUNDAY GOLF PLAYING.
A SHARP PROTEST FROM THE sEcRE-
TARY OF THE AMERICAN
SABBATH UNION
To the Editor of The Tribune.

the Eoltor OF Inc Tribune.
Sir: This morning there appears in The r-,h,
caricature on the attempt made by certain oti-
Zens OF Nonkers, y. Y, prevent further goIs
playing on Sunday in their city and neighborbood
which is unworthy Of The Tribune There is an
attempt ooth IN the caricature and comments 5
which follow TO pour ridicue not only on the sar,i
ment that has prompted this effort on the MARI 30
these citizens but TO make them personally annAar
ridiculous in the eyes Of their fellow citizans
This caTcature outrages the honest convictions of
the larger part Of the Christian Church of Amer
lea
The highest ecclesiastical courts of our stro,gas,
evangelical churches are record as unanimously,
condemning golf playing on Sunday and in so
doing they have not written themselves as bigots
or champions Of the old blue laws bur as cham
pons Of the best civilization of the twentieth
century
Here is what the Presbyterian General Assembly,
said while in session in Philadelphia not two weeks
ago:
EesoITeo' % On mat we most earnestly protest against
business purposes % and commercial interests well
social functions and worldly pleasures
At the last meeting of the General Synod Of the
Reformed Church they passed the following:
Resolved, That any and all secularization of the
Lorcs Day Is destructive Of its benefcent design
ana hnlInleal TO both public and private morality
have not before me at this moment copies Of
the action of the General Conference of the Meth
Odist Church and of the Baptist Lutheran etc hut
they are all in hearty sympathy with the above
The unanimous verdict of these courts is against
eof playing on Sunday because il is a mart of the
frend OF our times 10 secularize and utterly destroy
me sacred character of the day.
II sports like golf legitimate Sunday recre-
alon, then any other form of amusement is equally
SO ihose whose taste runs golf have no rights
over that portion Of the popuace whose tastes sug
Eest different order of recreation Whatever NAV
be SAID IN support Of golf on Sunday NAV also he
said IN support OF whatever amusement other
classes IN the community may elect for their recre-
alton. and the door is open for baseball and foot
ball. for horseracing. buuhghts and the prizerins
for all who may prefer any OF those
Again, those who play golf are for the most
part OF the leisure class. who have no need or
cuse for using the Sabbath day for this purpose
they are generally of the class who should he
NlIAhg 10 make personal sacrifice of their desire
4oL lle promotion OF public morality.
sir Walter Scott has truly said thar which has
ee borne out by experience: Give the world one
nan OF sunday and you will soon find thar re-
NsI0n mas no strong hold on the other half
Cb1
DAY sports IS not prompted in the interests F -
'.uIch as a church, but wholly in The Interests
oI lle people and OF the republic whose Gibraltar
IS hot found in our material wealth or in our
ereign people " 'i'e soN
The constituency Of The Tribune is largely Chris
t4aI, ana this Journal IS expected TO represant
hieher level OF Christian civilization than tba+
Nhlch mere appears IN the jibes and sneers AZ the
most profound convictions of this large class Of lis
General Secretary Of the American "A sabba,b
No 2o5 Broadway. New-York. June 3. 1901.