The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1904-12-02

pc0ISu ny an dGt vi lne iektSlatuEc.
The Ministerial Association of st.
Louis has adopted resolutions, to
affiliate with the Portland Ministerial
Association. to close the Lewis and
Clark fair on Sundays, While Oregon
win welcome all the eminent divines
of the United States TO Portland. and
many will avail themselves Of attend
ing divine worship on Sunday. yet the
advisibility Of closing the gates OF the
Exposition OF Sunday does not meet
with the approval of large majority
| Of the people who viii visit the fair.
There are a large number OF people
that hold that Saturday is the day
prescribed by Holy Writ to be OBJ
served. while the Orthodox Christians
contend that Sunday is the day.
All produce arguments based upon
the Bible to prove their assertions.
but the authorities have declared Sun
| day as the day to be observed II Is
difficult to draw the line In the con-
troversy. but IL the gates are left open.
for the benefit of those who are un-
able to attend during the week. there
can be no particular harm. aside from
the desire on the part OF the minister
ial associations for a strict observance
tAf he ola
other amusements will be provided
for those who do not care to attend
divine worship. 1t is a mistaken idea
that IL the gates are closed. the visitors
will flock to the churches. Those who
are so inclined will avail themselves
OF the opportunity. while those who do
not attend church will be conspicuous
by their absence.
With all due respect for the st.
Louis divines. 1t does seem as though
the matter of Sunday closing ought 10
be left to the committee. II the fair
grounds are to be closed. then all the
saloons and places Of amusement
ought to be closed. Street cars should
be stopped: traffic on the railroads and
steamboats, suspended. and excursions
to Seaside cut out. While the Lewis
and Clark fair will be an institution
of education In the arts and sciences,
II is also to be conducted as financial
scheme, with the object Of making the
gate receipts pay the expenses and re-
imbursing the generous people Of Port
land who have subscribed to the fund
whereby the fair was made possible.
That Sunday ought to be observed as
was originally intended by the Divine
Master, no one will gainsay but the
observances ought to be made gen.
eral. There is no doubt but beer gar
dens, excursions to various points Of
interest, ball games and possibly
horse races will be provided for the
visitors, and II the fair Is closed on
Sunday they can enjoy the other
amusements. For this reason. 1t Isl
evident that the ministerial associa-
ton are straining at a gnat and swal-
lowing a camel The Lord plucked an
ear Of corn on Sunday and did eat.
against the objections of his disciples,
whom the ministerial association seem
desirious of emulating. No man ought
to go hungry on Sunday, neither
should he be compelled to attend
church If his inclinations are not 80 in
clined.
II is possible that an error has been
committed in these brief statements,
but restrictions as to Sunday obser-
vances should not be permitted to in
terfere with the Lewis and Clark
fair, unless they are equally applied
to all forms OF amusements. When
this is done, no one can object, as a
large majority Of the people have i'm
plicit confidence in the scriptures
where they are strictly adhered to on
week days as well as on Sundays The
people of oregon are certainly under
lasting obligations to the kind offers
Of the ST. Louis ministerial association,
and will no doubt lend them hand
in their most commendable mission
ary work in Portland, even IL the
Tanner creek sewer scandal should be
eliminated. II IL is a sin TO visit the
fair, study the works Of art and ma
ture, the sciences and progress of
American ingenuity, simply to pass
away few hours, then the gates
should be closed to all such, but to
those who do not think they will be
contaminated by worldly influences on
the Holy Sabbath day, 1t may be bene-
fetal to humanity to leave the gates
open, and conduct divine worship on
the grounds. A fine choir. grand
v,lua orvan xyffh afher nuafcan fnatrti-