Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-04-01
The Sunday Concert.
o the Editor of The Evening Star:

To the Editor of The Evening Star:
The Methodist ministers of Washington
did not delay to place themselves on rec
ord concerning the Sunday concert until
they should discover what kind of music
the Symphony Society would render on
Sunday evenings. At a meeting held June
10, 1903, before the Sunday concerts be-
gan, and while the propriety of introduce
ing this novelty into the entertainments
of the city was under discussion, the Meth
odist ministers adopted the following pa
per, and sent acopy of their action to the
secretary of the Choral Union:
THE Washington preachers meeting of
the Methodist Episcopal Church, having
had its attention called to the purpose of
the Choral Union of this city to give pub
lie concerts on Sunday evenings in some
public hall or theater, hereby records it
self IL opposition to such a plan, as being
subsersive of the sanctity of the Sabbath.
This proposition is a subtle and dangerous
movement which will tend to prevent the
idea of the day one of Christian wor-
ship, and assuredly prove harmful to all
that Christians hold dear in connection
with the Sabbath; therefore be it
Resolved %, That we urge all our men,
bers connected with the union to discour-
age the movement.
''C2) That we most respectfully, but posi-
lively, object to the proposed Sunday con-
certs, and with all earnestness request the
Choral Union to abandon a project which
is offensive to large portion of the COM
munity."
At a meeting of the Methodist ministers
held in Mckendree Church on Monday,
March 2S, 1904, the foregoing action was
reaffirmed, and ordered published in the
daily papers of the city. At the same
meeting the most cordial Endorsement was
unanimously given to the vigorous utter
ances of the Rev DR.. McKim on this SUBJ
ject, which have recently been given to
the public.
Those who defend the Sunday concert
appear to think that any entertainment
which is not positively bad may be given
with profit on the Sabbath day. They over
look the fact that many things which are
not only harmless, but positively bene-
fetal on other days of the week tend to
evil when introduced to the public on Sun
day. The Sabbath is holy day. AS such
II is blessing to all Those who are not
Christians share in it's benefits. They I'M
derstand this and many of them join with
Christians in opposing the invasion of this
day by things which are purely secular.
Until recently nearly all good citizens
maintained that the Sabbath should be
| kept free Tor religion Nothing that tends
| to abolish the distinction between this and
other days should be encouraged All such
movements are antagonistic to religion.
| They abridge the opportunity of the
| church and its agencies and hinder the in
| fiuence of Christianity.
| Multitudes of men and women who would
| be found in the churches on Sunday even
1 ings go to the Sunday concert when on
| portunity offers The effect of the concert
| is TO break down Sunday evening congrega-
| tons in the churches and to withdraw men
| from the influence of the gospel who need
| il most. When the officers of the Choral
| Union appealed to Christian ministers to
| announce their concerts in the churches
| they appealed to them to help tear down
| the work which Christian men and wo-
men have toiled for generations to build
up. L.UCIEN CLARK.
| President Washington Methodist Preach
ers' Meeting.