The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1909-05-08
THE MASS MEETINNG.
Large Audience Attends the Meeting
In Interest of Sunday Observance.

From the Daily Item, May 4.
The mass meeting of citizens held
| in the Washington Street Baptist
church last evening was very we'll at
tended, the church being about full.
The ministers Of all the Evangelical
| churches were present.
After a delightful solo by Miss
Beaufort Brand and two songs writ
ten especially for the Sunday League.
of America, to familiar tunes, Hon. r.
/. Manning, who presided over the
exercises. introduced DR.. Edward
Thompson, Secretary of the last
World Congress on Sunday Obser-
vance. Mr.. Manning. in introducing
this speaker. stated that the object
OF the meeting was to create an in
terest In a more quiet and thoughtful
Sunday and to work toward the end
that every man should have one day
o. rest in seven in order to do the
best work.
Or. Thompson, at times humorous
and at times eloquent, directed his
address along these lines, stating the
importance Of keeping to the old
Ideals OF the American Sunday as op-
posed to the Continental Sunday Of
Europe. He showed how all the pres
iderits Of the United States since Ben
jamin Harrison. during whose admin
istration the League was formed, have
belonged to 1t and have carried out its
teachings. One of the first orders by
President Taft being that no official
mail should be opened on Sunday and
that no visitors should be admitted to
the White House on Sunday.
He stated that the League is en-
deavoring to- erect a splendid head
quarters building in Fort Worth, Tex
as, as a centre from which speakers
will ne sent out and literature will be
distributed In furtherance of this
cause. The League makes It a point
10 have a representative speak in ev-
ery town Of any Importance In the
United states and it's possessions, once
every decade.
At the close Of his address, sub
scriptions were taken to assist in this
work.
Mr.. c.. M. Hurst Of this city then
introduced the following resolutions.
which were unanimously adopted:
Whereas, the experience of man
has demonstrated the necessity Of one
day of rest In seven, and that the six
days system Of labor prolongs life
renders human activity more effec-
tive. promotes intelligence, morality
and happiness, and
Whereas, the preservation of the
Sabbath as a day Of quiet rest, has
ever been one Of the foundation prin-
ciples Of American custom and law.
Therefore be 1t Resolved, That the
citizens Of Sumter in this meeting as
scmbled, note with deep concern the
growing laSity of Sabbath observance,
the increasing tendency to violate its
sanctity, by doing work that is not
necessary, by transacting business and
engaging in diversions that are not in
harmony with the beneficeat purposes
Of Its institution. We protest against
Sunday work and Sunday business ex-
cept such as may be imperatively re-
quired by actual necessity, and mercy
With the best interest Of our fellow
men at heart we assert their right to
enc day of rest In seven. And when
cf necessity they must work on Sun
day they should they have respite Of
equal time on Saturday or Monday.
We declare our fidelity to the prin-
ciples of our civilization and the high
est good of our State. We therefore
call upon the people of South Caro-
lima to unite with us in demanding
the enforcement of cur Sunday laws:
and the adoption of local ordinances
wherever they may be helpful in Sc
curing the Sabbath days rest.