Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-02-27
SUNDAY OBSERVANCE
SPEAKERS AT MASS MEETING
MAKE APPEAL FOR LAWS.

Stirring appeals were made for Sunday
observance laws in the District of Column
bia by speakers at a mass meeting of citi-
zens in the New York Avenue Presby
terrain Church last evening under the
auspices of the Observation-Disclosures COM
mittee on Sabbath observance. Resolu-
tions were adopted calling on Congress to
pass the desired legislation. Mr.. Justice
Harlan of the Supreme Court Of the
United States presided. The speakers in
cluded Rev. DR.. Radcliffe, pastor of the
church; Mr.. Justice Harlan, Senator
Johnson of Alabama, Rev. c. Herbert
Richardson, pastor of Ryland Methodist
Episcopal Church, and Samuel De Ned
rey, secretary of the Central Labor Union.
The resolutions adopted were read by
Andrew Wilson, who acted as member
of the committee have the matter In
charge, consisting of Rev. Dr., Alfred
Harding. rector of st. Paurs Episcopal
Church; George A. Miller; Rev. DIR. Frank
Sewall, pastor of the New ChYch, and
Messrs. J. ]. Darlington and w. w. Mil
Ian.
The meeting was called to order at 3
o'clock by Rev. DR.. Radcliffe. He told of
the formation of the interdenominational
committee within the past year, and de-
clared that the work will go on until Sab
bath observance laws are enacted. He
then introduced Mr.. Justice Harlan as
chairman.
Il consider it a great honor to preside
at an assemblage of this Sort" the chair
man said Some will ask, What is the
use of holding a meeting of this kind?
You cannot pass a law, But you can
assist In framing public opinion
Among other things, the speaker re-
marked that a nation without Sab
bath has civilization rotten to the core.
Il wish it would come into the mind of
the President he added, ito order every
post office from the Atlantic to Pacific
closed Sunday"
Views of Senator Johnston.
Senator Johnston of Alabama said he
was astounded to find no Sabbath laws in
this city.
II read recently he continued. that
man dedicated the Sabbath. He did not
do it. God Almighty did it,
Il happen to be a member of the Sem
ate committee on the District of CO.
lumbia,' the speaker said. land further
don't know which ward l am from,
that will restrain the abuse of Sunday
and make it a day of rest. We can't
make people go to church Sunday, but
we can tell them not to destroy our Sab
baths.
Samuel DeNedrey was next introduced.
II represent a class he said, that bears
the burden: that protects the widow and
the orphan. l want to suggest some
thing practical for our alderman from
Alabama. We want to say we want to
day-if not to attend church to spend
the time in piOus meditation" He added
the cigar stores should be closed Sunday.
Two classes he continued, appeal to
me-the old man and the young man. Then
there is another class. 1t is comprised of
tho ;rlc rx,I,n N a
for twelve hours a day. Are your views
different than mine? If every man who
employs labor would observe the eight
hour law you would not see appeals TO
the Associated Charities. The best con-
ditions could be brought about if en-
blowers of labor would get acquainted
with their employees.
do you know the reason no more or
labor's representatives are here tonight?
The reason is We are suspicious OF YOU
You call mass meetings and many en-
ployers in the churches still keep on en-
ployinS over hours.
General Closing of Stores.
The speaker urged a general closing of
all stores on the Sabbath. He spoke of
the Sunday theaters and declared they
should also be closed.
There are more God-fearing people
among u.s." he declared, than you give
us credit for and l think you will be
better Christians if you do all you can to
help u.s."
Rev. C. Herbert Richardson was the
last speaker Il deem it a great privi-
lege," he said. ito add a word for a day
of Sunday rest. 1t is a fact that we have
no Sunday rest law here. But we have
a self-imposed morality in his~city upon
this special subject When We speak OF
Sunday rest we are not coming to You
n nrlp c IN
regretted that there is no Sunday law in
the District. There should be united
effort for such law in this city. In the
name of humanity we want a Sunday
rest law here SO the workingman can
rest at home with his family if he so
desires. Is it not right that here the man
hood of man should be. recognized? We
demand in the name of humanity there
shall be a Sunday rest law with especial
to the government departments.
hope from this meeting will go forth
great influence for rest law for the
Sabbath