New-York tribune., 1907-12-19
OLD VIEWS ON SUNDAY.
What ministers SAID T5oenty-fUe
Years Ago About It's Observance.

In view os the present agitation regarding the
proper observance OF Sunday and the various opin-
ions the subject expressed by clergyrnen and
Others. it be Interesting TO read extracts from
the opinions OF representative clergymen Oh the
same subject nearly quarter Of q century ago.
1t seems that in the summer of 1888 there was
some agitation regarding Sunday observance, and
cry went up that the country was losing its
American Sunday 1t just about the time that
the sacred concert was being introduced The
police had a spasrn of virtue, and for months
there were what in these days would be called
dry Sundays" The Tribune at that time printed
d series of articles showing how the people Of
New York spent Sunday. showing how many Of
them sought recreation and how many opportuni-
ties for dissipation there were.
The Tribune sought the opinions OF representa-
tive Clergymen of the leading denominations and
printed what termed q clerical symposium
They asked their ideas the popular ten
dency in the matter of Sunday; second as TO what
it is likely become in and about the city; third,
their objection 10 existing practices, and, fourth
10 the best course to be taken by the religious
community in the matter both with reference TO
themselves and to the community at large In the
introduction 10 the letters published it was
stated: THE seven clergymen whose views are
herewith presented agree substantially that the
observance OF Sunday cannot be enforced on re-
ugious grounds; that its observance as day OF
rest is the very foundation of human well oeinS,
ana that universal blessing in its religious
conservation. But they differ widely in their at
ttude toward the changing spirit of the times
ranging from the genial hberality of MI Colyer
TO the .PurtaRcal Sabbath of DR.. Howard Cros-
by"
Henry c. Potter said. in part:
The popular tendency in the matter of Sunday
observance is Enthusiastically toward the secQlaTl-
zation of the day, and this tendency is ukely 10
community ought TO desire nothing which will not
fellow citizens whatever their belief want of be
lief. The welfare of those who work with their
the STATE. The confoundng of a Sunday as rest
day day win sndy 5 be as but 1T it w
bly, come pass unless those who make the laws
kind shan See to it that somewhere In the working
mans life there is room for that which snau
brighten and refresh It.
The Rev DR. Howard Crosby said that the Sun
day OF the United States might be called religo-
civil Sunday-one civil in its foundation but which
regards the prevailing religion of the land In It's
choice OF the specific day for the time of rest lie
said:
TO make them courteous and considerate TO the
prevailing religion. / think the popular tendency
were from the s dsf 9r
Personally believe in a Puritanical Sabbath, but
I have no right to force my belief on otnets, Z.
holiday.
The Rev. DR.. Robert Collyer said in part:
We insist quiet SUNDAY for & the 'a VAST ma ma
out and the most of them do not abuse it. We
sunday Who Would ike to see the headstTong
metropolis in our churches do not peieve In
Services: i but then they viii not come our
churches who 90 to those concerts as IL seems,
nor in going. there do they yer pass the lines OF
Just and honest liberty" They go TO the music
halls for recreation as We go to tee churches for
worship.
The Rev. Dr. William NJ. Taylor said in part:
1t is not within the province OF any earthly gov
ernInent TO compel any man by pains and penalties
tians have a right to be protected In Their onsers
cally considering the mixed character of popu-
latiOn, TO base any legislation concerning the Sab
bath the ground of its religious character. but
should be reserved for cessation from work
ent state Of things? Not to civil enactnents-
and nothing seems 10 me more intudicous than the
and anon irnpel well meaning men among us to
bring paltry offenders before the Judge on the
ground of Sabbath desecration.
o. The Rev. DR.. o. H Tiffany said in part:
II a day OF rest is secured by legal enactment for
all men to conserve general good. the manner
OF using day be a matter of individual
liberty within the limitations which secure 70 each
non-interference with the rights OF others.
The Rev. DR.. Thomas Armitage said in part:
nance or Christianity and stands the test of mod
iconociaSm with right good nerve, notwith-
standing the inroads of its foes and the bilious
croakings OF its friends. Our ancestors stern
body of our present population follows a treadmlIi
life TO make bread and honesty meet No sane
man believes population be IegIslated into
our churches or be compelled to remain indoors
Sunday. The solution of the problem is TO be found
its religious bearing We talk foolishly and cut
the nerve of our own right arm when we Imagine
its aspects not of Puritan strictness.