The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-03-08
WORK FUR BETTER SUNDAY OBSERVANCE Resolutions Adopted By Mass
 Meeting Yesterday DR. THOMSON IS SPEAKER Secretary of Sunday League of Amer ioa Insists That Every Man
 Should Rest One Day In
 Seven.
DR. THOMSON IS SPEAKER

at the First Methodist church yesterday afternoon under the auspices of the pas- tors union in behalf of a proper Chris tian observance of the Sabbath day sev- eral stirring talks were made while set of resolutions indorsing the move- ment was also adopted.
 John w. sibley presided while J. P. Stubbs, general secretary of the Young Mems Christian association, conducted the song service. The principal speaker of the occasion was Dr. Edward T. Thom- son, secretary of the Sunday League of America.
 Dr. Thomson is a forceful speaker and he presented eloquent and striking argu- ments for the strict enforcement of the laws, thereby securing an ideal Christian Sabbath.
 At the conclusion of his address G. B. Tarrant presented the following reso- lutions, which were unanimously adopted
 Whereas, The most recent statistics show that man is longer lived, more eff fective, more intelligent and more moral under a six-day system of toll, and,
 Whereas, The quiet, thoughtful type of Sunday has been from the first characteristic of our American life, law and history, and whereas, there is grow ing tendency to utilize Sunday for various sorts of business and for noisy sports.
 We, the citizens of Birmingham in mass meeting assembled, do hereby enter our protest against this tendency, and in- sist that nothing but works of real neces- sity and mercy should be allowed on Sunday. We pledge ourselves as loyal to the principles of our civilization and to the best interest of our fellow men,
 We hereby call on all of the citizens of Alabama to join with us in demand ing the enforcement of our state statutes on this matter.
 We call upon the citizens of Alabama to get local ordinances, wherever neces- sary to make more effective the prac- tiee of Sunday rest.
 We assert the necessity of one day of rest in seven for every toiler, and wherever a man must perform work on Sunday he must be relieved an equal number of hours on either Saturday or Monday.
 Since the Sunday League of America calls on all the churches of all America to observe the first week following Easter as the Lords Day Week" we hereby re- quest all the pastors in Birmingham of all the faiths, to preach on this subject on the 18th day of April, and we do here- by pledge ourselves to do all in our power to secure for our busy community a quiet and thoughtful Sunday every week in the year before us'
 Dr. Thomsons address in part was as follows:
 Sunday rest must be demanded, pur- sued and assured to all Only works of mercy and necessity should be permitted on that day. These should be limited to a very much smaller list than at present. This is a question of hygiene and a social question, as well. To pre- serve the physical forces of the human being by procuring for him Sunday rest is also to raise him in a moral and social point of view, leading him to closer in- timacy with his home life and giving him a chance to get acquainted with his God. The raising of human character should interest every citizen. When workmen rest on Sunday the six days work will be better done. Jesus said the Sabbath was made for man" The latest investiga- tions of science show that the human body runs down each day more than it makes up at night. Hence it is necessary that one day in seven be given to rest to restore the equilibrium.
 ''There never was a time in human his- tory when men needed to think about their highest needs more than in 1909. This is the great driving age, where every man is alert to keep up with the process sion and make his way in the world.
 .'I wish I might be able to lay upon your hearts your burden in this matter. We are our brothers keeper. We should keep him safely. Before me are promi- nent citizens. Remember, you are the leaders. You are the rulers. You set the example that others follow. You have 1t In your power to close up all business and have the laws of Alabama and the ordinances of Birmingham as to Sunday rest well enforced. When good people get together in 8 business way they can have righteousness in high places and in low places. God helps those who are aggressive. Gods good time is when
 
 Resolve and act and may there be harvest from the work of today. Begin now and never again disobey Gods law. Did you ever buy anything-groceries, Ice cream, soda water. chewing gum, to- bacco on Sunday? Don't do 1t any more. For every such act simply adds aS- other link to the chain that holds today 4,00o 900 of our fellow citizens in Sunday toll.
 Every man could get his supplies (even patent medicines), on Saturday, the only exception being cases of sudden sickness or accident. To maintain equal ity before the law all must be placed on the competitive level of six days week. We ask nothing unreasonable but only the best conditions for all, in order that all may be more healthy, more effective more thoughtful and more valuable
 "Surely there Is nothing cranky in this Sunday well spent brings sweetness, love and joy to the hearts and homes of your city"
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