The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-01-29
Sunday Music VS.. Sabbath Desecrn-
ton.


Atlanta, Jan. 27.-Editor Morning News:
We readily recognize the wide difference
of opinion exists in the matter of Sun
day amusements;" my own opinion is that
your Mayor is on the right track, and
that his view should prevail, yet the opin-
ion of the clergy and laymen who hold
to an opposite view may not be ignored
or overlooked.
We may l think, safely trust to the
good taste of the managers of such con-
certs to be assured that no violation OF
sanctity or any dissertation of the day
shall result Arrangements can readily
be made to avoid any conflict between the
hours of meeting of the Sunday schools
and the concerts, the children will feel the
good influence of each. All of this means
only detail.
The objection to the Continental Sab
bath" is that it is not a sabbath, it does
not mean rest for the toiler, the factories
are open, it is for the wage worker life
OF constant toll! But the music furnished
on Sunday is a blessing and boon to
thousands who know little of the bright
side of life. 1t certainly is not desecra-
ton! 1t may safe.y be adopted in this
country without loss in any desirable di-
rectionl In the published interviews in
the esteemed News this sentence occurs.
Mr.. Krenson says: I'm that crowd would
be found a great many negroes, as week
as objectiona BILE people who would crowd
from the neighborhood of the music the
respectable people"
The greatest need of the day and times
is that we shall in some way provide for
the people who are mot respectable" and
lift them to a higher pane. The influence
of music would be potent force and help
in such work.
1t is said that 1.-THE church, is losing its
hold upon the people. / consider this, If
true, only a temporary condition. and
that remedy viii be found. Bring us
nearer together, the rich and the poor,
the bond OF sympathy should be strength
ened, not weakened.
/ have many misgivings as to our So
cial questions now unsolved and little I'M
derstood. Many believe that the Caucas-
ian and the negro, cannot live together
as political equals, but that a migration
OF the negro must result, however this
may be, am confident that the presence
of negroes and other Objectionable peo-
rle at Sunday concerts, planned and en-
couraged by municipal authority, will be
in every way beneficial, and that the
influence of music is always educatiVe,
refining, and uplifting.
If it were possible to place in every ne
gro cabin and home some sort of a mus
ical instrument and the inmates were
taught 20 use it, the difficult question of
race adjustment would receive an impet-
us which would do much to bring it to
satisfactory termination.
Meanwhile let us RENE mber that II was
'the common people who heard the Mas
ter gladly" and that the same class yet
listen to words of cheer and to good
music We need to keep in touch with
those whose lives are lived amid squalid
surroundings, yet who are of our kin
bred. as members of the human race, if
these will not come into our churches we
must seek and find them in the high
ways and hedges and induce them to par
take of the bread of life, yet before we
can save their souls we must convince
them that they have souls!
There will be in all this no faint or YES
tige Of dissertation, only a practical
demonstration of the truth Of the doctrine
Of MANS BROTHERHOOD
william Riley Boyd.