The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1904-12-04
SUNDAY OBSERVANCE.

SUNDAY OBSERNA ANCE-
Humanity recognizes all customs
and laws founded upon the principles
of equity and justice. He that seeks
equity. must do equity" is maxim
of law. He that seeks justice. must do
justice is an established precedent.
From the day that Christ was upon
earth TO the present time, all intelli-
gent people have regarded the pro-
mulgations of laws and ethics by our
Saviour as the fundamental law Of the
land All the civil laws are founded
upon the Bible. 1t is regarded as the
code Of .eivil and moral procedure
throughout the civilized world. All
creeds are founded upon il; it Is re-
courts, and the injunctions and admon-
itions therein contained are the found
alton stone on which society is found
ed. So replete is the Bible with wis.,
dom and moral teachings, that thous-
ands of chuches have been erected
throughout the world, and ministers
employed to teach Its principles and in
culcate it's doctrines upon the rising
generation.
At the time Of PRONUNCIATION of
Chistian doctrines, It was deemed
necessary to pass laws commanding
what is right and prohibiting what is
wrong. Certain enumerated acts are
regarded as criminal in their nature
and the world is admonished against
committing any Of the evils stated. II
was considered necessary to estab
lish a day of rest and the first day OF
the week. commonly called Sunday
was the day selected Upon this day,
all business and labor was to cease.
and one day in the week given to
spiritual thoughts, in order that the
people could become more familiar
with the teachings of the Divine Mas |
ter Sunday has been recognized by leg I
islative bodies in every nation In the
world and in every state in the Union.
Laws have been enacted in every state
forbidding the transaction of certain
defined business on that day. 1t was
the law and custom in the early days,
it is the supreme law of the land today.
The prohibition Of certain employ
ments and providing a punishment
therefor. is upon the statute books Of
Oregon. That they are not more
strictly enforced is due to the fact that
many people tolerate nuisance rather
than complain of It, All laws are sup
posed to be enforced and officials are
elected for that purpose. There Is no
reason why the Sunday observance
laws should not be enforced in Astoria.
All the drygoods.. clothing houses. gro
ceries, and nearly every branch Of !
business are closed on that day. Sa-
looms and theaters are permitted to re-
main open in direct violation Of law. {
why should not these trades be COM
PEELED to observe the day, as well as {
all others. circumstances Of neces-
sity and mercy, may be placed in de-
fense." is a part of the Sunday laws {
Of Oregon. 1t was not the intention to I
prohibit the people. from securing med
ical assistance, or medicines on that
day. The law does not enjoin upon
the people a demand to attend church.
Every man is allowed to worship God '
according to the dictates Of his own
conscience, but there is no excuse for '
the nom enforcement Of the Sunday
laws. Every man belonging to a lodge |
gives one or more nights in week to {
upon his lodge. This is fra
ternity. Why should he not be willing !
to give one day in the week with his
family? This is a duty enjoined upon !
every individual.
Why should theaters be permitted &
to run on Sunday? While they may
not be demoralizing in their tendencies.
yet they are productive of no good I
There are many other amusements I
more conductive to happiness and {
thought than can be obtained in a
theater. They detract from the /
which are entitled to the at /
tendance Of the people. No harm can {
possibly befall man or woman at =
tending church. and it may result in {
much good If theaters are permitted {
to violate the law, people will claim /
the same right While the law does a
not make the attendance upon the /
church a necessity. but rather a privi- &
ege,it does prohibit all forms of amuse- e
nent such as theaters on Sunday. g
Why should managers Of theaters be d