The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-07-01
Lot tho Ninth Get Together.
Voice Of the r ople
Reply to Workingman.
Editor of The Times Dispatch:

Editor Of The Times-Dispatch:
Sill note in your issue of June
I'D an article-by "Workingman,n an-
der the caption, THE Closed Sunday"
In which he depicts a non enjoyable
afternoon last Sunday. the causes be-
ing his not being permitted to smoke
on an open car, the difficulty in get
ting a cooling drink for HIS boy Coz
course he wanted none for lhimself) at
ter arriving at Reservoir Park, the
"criminally Inclined Syrian and Greek
vendors being In fear of police, the
disturbance OF the Sunday peace by
the Salvation armies. without police in
reference, and last, but not least. the
disappointment in not being able to
give his boy good time on account
of the Dangerous mediums of amuse-
ment" at Lakewood being under lock
and key
He places the blame for this state
Of affairs upon the church and religious
people Of Richmond, alleging that they
are, trying to regulate, by means of
police with their clubs. the Sabbath
observance; that the church, being
incapable OF managing its members.
seeks the aid of the police department..
and winds up with the following: Il
hope to see a time when laws of such
Will be free to spend their leisure
time to suit their own pleasure and
convenience, and Sunday Will be day
of innocent joy and pleasant recrea-
ton."
Mr.. Worlkingman, In the first place.
the making and enforcing of laws Is
not left to the church and religious
credit. however. if they inspire the
making and enforcing of good laws.
In the second place, did you ever stop
to think how soon Sunday would cease
to be a day of innocent joy and pleas
ant recreation" If all .aws regarding
religious influences that are brought
to bear were withdrawn, and every man
left free to spend the day as suited
his own pleasure and estes?
You attempted to quote the Bible
in support of your argument, but II
you will read the Ten Commandments,
YOU will find much more space de-
bath than to any other commandment;
and If you will read the history If the
Children of Israel In their W; nder-
ings through the Wilderness, begin
ming with the sixteenth chapter of Ex-
odus, you will find that Jehovah. In
His dealings with them through Moses.
their leader, held them to strict obser-
vance Of the Sabbath. and was very
wroth with them II they diaobeyed tbs
commandment In the least. They We're to
gather twice the usual quantity OF
mama on the day before tho So bbath
and commanded not to so out Of their
places on the Sabbath. But there were
those who were lazy the day before,
L suppose. and failed to gather enough
for sunday, and no doubt thinking It
a small matter. and question with
which no one else had anything to do,
went forth to do as they pleased, but
To-! they found tho mama all under
lock and key, and therefore were
greatly disappointed because they
could got none.
No doubt they thought 1t very un-;
Just law, and one that infringed on
their rights.
No, Mr. Workingman, let us not adj
vocate the repeal Of any laws that we
now have relating to Sunday obser-
Naace, unless it Is to make better ones.
but let US rather thank the Lord that
we live In country and in city
where the people are God-fearing as
well as libertyloving, and where there
is more and moro attention being paid
to religion and Sunday observance even
though the Sabbath is still being desc
tcrated by many.
Ours is the greatest nation under
Che sun, and am simple enough to
believe it Is due to the fact that It Is
ID Christian nation. INVALID.
: Richmond, Va. June "a, 1905. ,3