The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-10-20
UOE UT NUNUAI.
Rev. Charles n. Sheldon Dis
cusses This Subject.
Sabbath Theatricals Receive
Attention.
WHAT WOULD THEY SAY
Suggestion Concerning Closing
of the Churches.
Preachers Would Not Have Re-
spect Of People.

The meetings of the National Re
form association concluded last night
with a number of informal addresses
at the First Presbyterian church f.
ID. Coburn presided. Rev. o. S. Nor
row of Topeka spoke on 1.-The Family
of Our National Life and Rev. r. G.
WyIie of Manhattan, on Our Sab
bath Schools
Resolutions were adopted. which
contained the following topics: The
Importance of recognizing Christ; rec
ommending the use of the bible in
public schools; special communication
of the work OF J. w. Gleed; condemn
ing Sunday railway traffic, the rum
traffic and the dance; condemnation of
race hatred. The committee on res
oIutions consisted of DR.. James White,
Rev. Charles NJ. Sheldon and Rev. ].
b. Dodds.
The meetings of the association were
very successful. Several of the To-
peka ministers We're unable to attend
because their conferences are meet
ing during the present week. The at
tendance has however been SatiSfac-
tory, representatives being here from
both the far eastern and far western
states.
fore the association was Sabbath Des-
ecration." Rev. Charles NJ. Sheldon
spoke on this. subject Wednesday af-
ternoon.
Rev. Mr.. Sheldon said:
That part of Christendom which
demands observance OF the Christian
Sabbath is generally misunderstood by
the part which wishes to use the Sab
bath especially for amusement, to say
nothing OF labor 1t is probably true
that throughout the civilized world
generally, Sunday labor is now regard
ed from a scientific point of view, if
fn he
nomic waste. In other words the
world is quite generally agreed that
six days are enough for work, but
when IL comes to a matter of recrea-
ton, entertainment or amusement,
large numbers of people see no rea-
son why the Sabbath should be es-
pecially used for that purpose. And
when those who believe that the Sab
bath should be kept free not only from
physical labor, but from the uses of
entertainment, contend for a right
Sabbath, those who wish to use the
day in that manner at once misun-
derstand the motive.
They say the Sabbath people wish
to deprive them of their liberty TO en-
joy. They regard the ministers and
the churches as hostile to human free
dom and enjoyment. But the Christian
denies any such motive. He says there
is a direct relation between the obseV-
vance of the Sabbath in right ways
and public morality Viewed from the
he says he would be a far happier,
better and more useful, and more bal
anced people if the Sabbath was used
Tor three great purposes-rest worship
and service to others. The indulgence
OF any habit which would conflict with
any of these three great uses of the
day would in the long run be disas-
trous to the community
Nations that have used the Sab
bath for amusement on a large scale
have illustrated historically the deter
ioration of morals among the people
who thus use the day. 1t is also an as
tonishtng and pertinent fact that in
many cities in this country theatrical
managers have time and again DELHI
erately broken Sabbath ordinances in
the cities to give theatrical entertain
ments- What would be thought of
any body of citizens who deliberately
for the sake of conducting a business
violated a well known ordinance in
order to accomplish their purpose? The
same thing has also been repeatedly
true of baseball associations which in
the face of a large public sentiment
against the sport on Sunday, and even
against regulations forbidding it. have
nevertheless in very many states re-
peatedly violated ordinances or evaded
them on technicality. The direct re-
lation OF the use of the Sabbath for
horse racing, baseball playing, Sunday
theaters, the uses of public parks