The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1908-04-13
Think That Church Members
Should Use Their Influence
To Make Richmond a Closed
Town.
RESOLUTIONS READ IN
THE CHURCHES SUNDAY.
Buying and Selling on Sunday
Are Condemned and Sports
Of All Characters Are Hit
Church Powers Weakened.

Members of the Ministers Asso-
citation recognize the fact that Rich
mond has lid which was placed
on the municipality at the opening of
tfe Hanly regime. but the preachers
feel that the lid is not firmly fixed
and that a few more rivets should be
inserted.
Some days ago the Ministers Asso-
citation adopted a resolution for
more rigid observance of the Sabbath
in this city. Yesterday all the mem
bers of the Association read to their
respective congregations this resolu-
tion:
THE buying and selling of groceries
meats. ice cream and other delicacies
on Sunday is condemned in the resolu-
tion. The resolution also condemns
the playing of baseball on Sunday
and other sports, Sunday excursions
and Sunday picnics. These pastimes,
church members We're informed, we're
permitted by civil law but were con
trary to the spirit of the divine law"
Church members are appealed to
assist in the movement of a more
rigid observance of the Sabbath. Fail
ure to do so the resolution sets forth,
weakens the power of the church and
displeases God. Church members are
urged to sist the lure of the base
ball game on Sundays and to do all
their marketing for Sunday on Satur-
day night. A half holiday on Saturday
afternoons is recommended. The reso-
luton in full adopted by the Minis
ters Association is as follows;
The Ministers Association of the
City desires to call the attention of
all the members of those churches.
represented by the association. TO
certain cases Of Sunday desecration
prevailing in our city, that are viola
tions of the civil law and are con-
trary to the divine law also and which
we fear are INDUCED in by some of
our members. The buying and selling
of meat groceries, ice cream and 9th
er delicacies and of cigars on Sunday,
are as really violations of law as the
selling of strong drinks on that day
and in these cases the offence is not
wholly with the seller. but is shared
by the buyer and we have reasons to
fear that members of our churches
are among the buyers-nor can ne
cessity be pleaded in justification in
any case.
We have reason to believe that
many of the dealers in these articles
would be glad to observe the law, but
are compelled to open their stores
on Sunday because other dealers op-
en- theirs and because some customers
wish to buy on Sunday.
There are two other forms of Sun
day desecration. viz: The playing or
witnessing of games on that day and
Sunday excursions and picnics, which
! though allowed by the civil law, are
contrary to the spirit of the divine
| law. We therefore feel called upon as
pastors Of churches in the city to urge
and entreat all our members as the
| followers of Christ and representa-
tives of His Holy Religion to observe
all these things.
While we may differ in our opinion
| somewhat on these matters, yet we
| feel sure that many, if not all, will
agree with us that indulgence in these
things by members of the church
| lowers the standard of our religious
life. weakens the power of the church.
hinders US in our work, is displeasing
! to God and in a measure sta Ms in the
way Of answers to our prayers. Wash
you and make you clean, put away the
evil of your doings from mine eyes.
cease TO do evil and learn to do well.
! These are our Lords words to US
| We would venture to recommend
| to our stores and factories the Satur-
day half holiday as most wise and
wholesome thing. helpful to Sunday
| observance.
Yours IN the fellowship of the Cos
! pei,
D. c. Huntington, Pres.
H. Robert Smith. Sec.