New-York tribune., 1902-01-13
NEW-YORK NEEDS A MOSES.
RELATION OF LAW TO PUBLIC MORALS
DISCOURSE BY DIR. TAYLOR,
OF ROCHESTER.

Rochester N Y, Jan. 12 (SpeciaD.-The Rev. DR.
Taylor. pastor OF Brick Presbyterian Church.
preached this morning sermon on the Sunday
opening question, in which the subject was viewed
from new point. He said that the discussion
of iegaizing Sunday opening raises the whole ques
ton OF the relation of law TO public morals. He
then asked these questions
What is the true scope of law in the promotion
of public morality?
Should legislation. with this end in view, repre-
sent the highest moral sentiment in a community
something short of the highest?
"csn man advocate law which falls below
his ideals without being untrue to duty?"
DR.. Taylor compared the present situation in New
York City to that of Moses when he framed the
law of divorce for his people. 1t hard law,
and unjust TO children and to wives but, Dr. Taylor
pointed out. II the lesser of two evils. DR..
Taylor said
hearts gave them law which was below the
lions. These facts thus boldly stated, are rather
startling at first. The duest mind sees danger in
evil to attempt to justify % WHICH S would lead % US into
If We are not afraid to look the facts in the face
We shall see that this is not and that the incl
answer those puzzing questions regarding the rela
ton Of 9 Law W to public morals .o.
i TO be moral When some particular forms Of evil
efforts to suppress them fa more or less COM
petely. because the men whom have chosen
enforce the laws friends OF those who defy the
law spasm of reform seizes us. We set our
teetn stamp our teet and register mighty VOW TO
turn the rascals out and elect a set of honest
officials. and get law enacted that will make
end or eVl! forever. We forget that the fostering
sin in the human heart is not to be got in any
such way.
The necessary limitations of human law make it
narrow and superficial. We see at glance, when
we think over these things. that our legislation
cannot represent the highest moral sentiments OF
a community on any subject. and that If TO ap-
prove of a law that stops short OF his own ideals
stamps a man as untrue to God to his fellows and
to a himself then we are all thus untrue. and can
organized society. We all accept this view tacitly
question arises like that of change in the Sunday
law. when that change seems like a lowering of
standard Then our soruples assert themselves.
II seems TO me that the words of Lord with
their tacit approval of Mosess course in enacting
light upon the difficulty and show that oftentimes
we must be content with laws far below our own
My purpose in following this course of thought
has not been to argue either for against Sun
Gay opening, The primary question is, Is ii best
for the people that the saloons should be open or
closed on Sunday? / confess that have felt the
force Of the arguments for Sunday opening very
powerfully. know enough of foreign customs to
believe that there may be a large proportion of
which desires more freedom in this respect than
our laws afford who would not abuse their
respectfully considered. I see the evils which re-
suit from an attempt to enforce law which is
oppo;S,ed BY many of the people. see the in
poor man who mas only the saloon. | recognize
NewYork at least may be nVoved in tbe one m
question Of Sunday opening. I also the other
of business closed; idle men drinking and spend
ing their money that should to their families.
choose is not easy to And who shall choose7
The people of the community. but only after 2
ful DISCUSSION IN which every voice shall be heard
else is dead issue in this department" It may
be be IN his department, but he will find that 1t is
assured that there is dissatisfaction profound and
1 widespread. with some OF the features of our