The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1910-03-04
Up NdgnOn

iZeu OF the state as well as leader in
his church in respect TO this definite
situation confronting US here in Ben
ningtOn. Your recent Interpretation
of the Bishops Lenten letter endors-
ing what you call "a liberal Sunday
| believe TO have been misleading
Most of US believe in a liberal Sun
day-if that means a certain degree
of personal freedom and the obser-
vance of a happy, out of door. reere-
alive day along with care to keep
the day as set apart for the primary
purpose of worship and brotherly
helpfulness. But we do not define
liberal" as meaning laXity, license,
and organized law-breaking. Nor
does the Bishop, am sure although
| have no authority to speak for him.
But think | understand his position
perfectly His pastoral on the Sun,
day question was an excellent one,
and stated the historical significance
of Sunday for Congregationalists quite
as well as for Episcopalians. Only
some of us appreciate the Puritan
somewhat more, remembering his
making of New England and bequest
of the best brain and blood to the ma
ton. See Bancroft, John Fiske, and
others.
All, | recognize some old friends in
your editorial-the "Walloomsac and
Hoosick dives" The last time
heard from them they were buttress-
| ing an argument for license. | be-
lieve, we have been told, not by the
Banner but by other advocates
of license that We needed the
| license law to keep our young men
from going TO those dreadful places.
So they are still going there? And
now we need another righteous insti-
tuition if we are to be saved-Sunday
base ball, How convenient to have
around these oldtime acquaintances,
the "WalloOmsac and Hoosick dives
for most any thread-bare argumen-
tative purposes.
But seriously, what about some
other young men and boys? The ties
timony comes from the Pownals OF
decentralization to the churches and
Sunday schools whereabouts as the
result Of the innovation of last sum
mer. Do we owe nothing in the name
of morality and religion to our neigh
Dor town?
AS for the letter of +. J, Hall in
last nights Banner. His comment OF
the statute law of the state is the
best proof that could have been ask
ed for that it was we'll to have tina
law printed for all the people to read
The language is, any game sport Of
play" Does any lawyer ten me tina
prohibits driving on Sunday for pleas
ure or using an automobile on Sun
day? | should expect a more dis
eliminating reading of the Englisl
language from a lawyer 1t does pro
hibit golf and tennis of course. Blu
It would be persecution or spite tina
would invoke the law against such VI
oation of the letter of it. SO woul'
it be equally to clap the law dow
upon ball playing as men or boys il
any small, amateur way might &
about 1t OF a Sunday in a field or va
cant lot provided they were not dis
turbing the peace and order of tn
community | could wish that GU
men u means and leisure for tn
sake of consistency did not use tn
golf links on Sunday But inasmuc
as they do in good conscience | SUI
pose. | will not attempt to dictate (
their right of private judgment No
a bit more would | wish to interior
with the poor mans playground o
Sunday | insist, however, 1t is
very different matter to throw Bel
nington wide open to organized pre-
fessional base ball on Sunday just a
it would BE TO permit golf tourni
ments on the day That is lettin
down the gates before food of evil
that will surely lower the moral ton
of our community and bring a whole
, some Sunday to complete wreck.
, am standing up for the wag'
earners and the bulk of our populi
/ ton. want to see a true Sunda
, saved for them. Let them have has
4. ball if they really need it but will
! out money and without price.
We have, however, Saturday hal
r holiday That is sufficient to give u
;. all the professional base ball that
good for us Any fore than that wi
o result in q debauch. Fun that grow
+ fast and furious is becoming MOI
, and more a curse in America. he
+. the pleasure Sunday of Europe take
J. the place of the Sunday which
n spite of some narrowed observance
has been the bulwark of the moralit
and piety of this nation we shall tai
distinct step in the path of deca
once. What | am pleading for, and
have the support of my brother mi
listers, and the great majority of OF
y church memberships. is the saving
Remington from the down grade.