The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1906-05-16
Plea for Political Virtue ard
Simple Life Made at the
Opening of the Newark
Diocesan Convention
TRIBUTE TO CATHOLIC PRIESTS
HUDSON CLERGYMEN COMMEND
ED = SABBATH OBSERVANCE
AND SUNDAY CLOSING OF sA-
LOOMS. l.4.-a---v
special to ..r4le Jersey city News,

Special to ''The Jersey city News.'',
NEWARK, May 16, 1906.-Ths
thirty-second annual Episcopal Diocesan
Convention opened at Trinity Episcopal
Church yesterday. The Rt. Rev. Edwin
S. Lines in his third annual address said
in part
'.The last year has been one OF disap.
pointment as regards the religious lie
of the country because of the reyela-
tions of the low sense Of responsibility
and honor on the part Of men greatly
trusted In the management of great
institutions men have made for them
selves rules of conduct which would not
stand the test of good religion nor COM
mon honesty and the break had TO come.
with shame and disgrace to many whose
reDutations seemed secure The people
trusted them and betrayal has been fol-
lowed by indignation. 1t was better that
the collapse should come with all its
shame than that we should go on de-
ceived.
The bishop also referred to the increas-
ed interest in church clubs in the par
ishes. 'sThey are made the means of in
struction, of increased knowledge of
church work, of social enjoyment, he
tsrrs1 X. L,,;.,,. - or, togathar "a kuo4v
one another better, to have more COM
mon interests, to deepen the sense OF
Christian brotherhood and friendship. 1t
is the social instinct and not the desire
for strong drink which sends men ta
the saloon and makes the saloon the
great power it is in the community.
There ought to be scattered through or
towns well-ordered places of wholesoEis
resort not conducted as charitable instl-
tutions, to which men may go and meet
other men and find something to eat and
drink and something to read and gener
Gus provision of games and means OF re-
Taxation.
II go through the streets of the great
CITY Ut night dllQ STE SSOACo VI "
ly lighter rooms well warmed and equip
ped, made attractive in many ways, with
hospitable welcome-I doubt not-and
an opportunity to hear all the news OF
the day, but with the obligation to drink
what men were best without, and | see
no place of resort free from this ofbliga-
ton and temptation which would attract
men and assure them welcome.
"The Church Club is to be welcomed
as in some measure meeting this social
need of men. 1t will be ordered in manv
ways as means and circumstances deter
mine. The clergy ought to have the SER
vices of practical men in close relation
and sympathy with men, as they work
along that line.
'-The subject of the observance of the
Lords day is felt by all of US here to he
of the greatest Importance because the
fortunes of religion and of Sunday as
the common day of public worship seem
closely bound together Business and
pleasure. .encroach more and more on the :
first day of the week and the question IL
everywhere asked as to the duty of chris
tian people. We must recognize the pass
ing of the old and strict ways of keeping
Sunday and the greater use of the day
for recreation. We must do what we can
to make the day one of rest for as many
people as possible, with the conditions
favorable for religious worship. There
are old and reasonable traditions about
the Lords day in this country which
should be retained for the common good.
THE appeal lies not to legislation, but
to public opinion and the sense of right
and regard for the community. | can
with much patience, If not with approval,
see companies of men and boys who work
hard all the week in factories and stores
and offices draw away on Sundays to the
outskirts of our towns for something IN
the way of sport and relaxation. but |
confess to little respect for those who de-
sire to open theatres and arrange games
and sports that money may be made out
of them. | would not misjudge men. but
think | find the motive of greed some
times in the demand made in the name
of mercy and liberty. | think there is
fair distinction between reasonable
recreation on Sunday and the use of the
day to make money. Let not men who
have liberty as regards the use of their
time for recreation i~zw'e severely those
who must get it on Sunday"
In February last | was invited to
conference held under the auspices oi
bishops and priests of the Roman Cath0
lie Church in New jersey. to consider tie
subject of proper restriction of the SAFE
of liquor. Representative men Of ether
religious bodies were called to the com
| ference. and the result of our delihefa-
| tions was the presentation to the I.eeis-
| lature of certain amendments of existing
! laws looking to greater restriction of
trade which is in all civilized commnni
ties regarded as dangerous.
1T seems plain that political consider.
! ations rather than intelligent study Of
| the subject and regard for the best inter-
ests of the cummunity determined the
result Much has been gained in oar ar
parent defeat. A step forward has beer
| taken in legislation. The agitation hal
| been wholesome.
| Il wish here to declare my great re
| spect for the priests of Hudson County
| who have. as | believe, in an unselish
way. with deep sense Of responsibility.
given us leadership in this present erE
/ tention. / write their names high among
/ hn Ii ~mE