The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1910-01-17
CHURCHES SCORED BY DIR. SNEATH
 OF NEW HAVEN

CONGREGATIONAL STOR BLAMES THEM FOR INDIFFER- ENCE TO AND VIOLATION OF SUNDAY LAWS - CRITICISES CHURCHMEN WHO WILL NOT
 GO TO HARTFORD AND TELLS
 THEM THEY SHOULD MEET MODERN CONDITIONS.
 At the Grand Avenue Congrega- tional church, New Haven, the pastor,
 Rev. Dr. Sheath, spoke on the Sum day question, using as his theme, "A Challenge to the Churches of Con | necticut," yesterday. He made choice | of the following Scripture: My peo- pie love to have it so, and what will i ye do in the end thereof?" He said | in part:
 ITO any observing mind there has been an increasing tendency to in difference to the laws of the Bible to Sunday. Each new year witnesses a larger amount of labor on the Lords Day. A larger number than ever do work on Sunday in their homes. It is equally true on the part of railroads, trolley companies, man. ufacturing establishments, employers and their employees in offices, lawyers in their offices, students and profes- sorS in the university, merchants, dentistry, photography, dressmaking, and manicuring. Possibly 90 per cent. of this work is not required.
 Tt means the loss of the sanctity
 of the day. The recognition of the
 meaning of the third Commandments is essential to the physical, moral and social welfare of the individual and the people as a whole. The increas- ing tendency to use the day as a day of pleasure, is also evident. We meet 1t everywhere. Golfng, autoing, boat ing, skating, fishing, excursions, troll IeyIng, 1uncheOns and card parties, Sunday newspapers, baseball, bil- lizards, gambling, crap-shooting, club life, saloons and the end is not yet. It would seem that the great portion of the people want to work, play or sleep on the Lords Day.
 Now, with clear realization of the arguments pro and con on this present-day trend, there are two ser 1ouS features worthy of considera- tion. There are laws on the statute books which are constantly being vio- lated, and the enforcement of law has come to minimum. We have today virtually an t.open Sunday If men feel inclined to do a particular thing, they do it, without inquiring whether it is lawful, or not. This is the general trend.
 Fault of the Churches.
 Whose fault is it? It is the fault of the Christian churches of Con- necticut Our indictment is against them, and the challenge is to make it otherwise. There is the widest diver sity of opinion in the churches today on the Sunday question. There are those who want conditions who be- moan the conditions; but who will not openly oppose them, or give in a sacrificing way to provide funds for the payment of legal aid by which violators may be punished
 And there are those who are in- different and this is the largest num- Der. A paltry few will present them selves at the City hall or at Hartford to advocate measures for the defense of the Sunday of former days. If for example, a bill was introduced in favor of a Saturday half-holiday, or Tn favor or more general observ- ance of Sunday as a rest-day, how many would go to Hartford to appeal for it's passage?. Very few. am not prophet; but I venture to say that the legislation of the next session will be in the direction of more liberal Sunday. The Christians of Connecti- cut either cannot or will not unite on a strict enforcement of the present laws, and those who would have them remain on the statute books do not have the interest, or courage, or sacrifice to go to Hartford and fight off any new legislation in favor of a more open Sunday. My people love to have it so''
 To Regulate Sunday.
 Tn view of these conditions, what is the next best thing? If the churches cannot unite, or will not, on the Sunday of the past and there is an increasing tendency to an open Sunday with increasing indifference to the law, on the part of the rich and the poor, the ignorant and the intelligent, what ought to be done We can see but one way out of the condition. It is by a regulated Sun day. Let us illustrate. We cannot have prohibition in Connecticut. The churches could if they would demand it and unite sacrificingly in the en- forcement of law. But they won't The result is that we have license. This means about 400 saloons in New Haven. It is possible to pull down churches are indifferent. Revs MT. Mossman, like a prophet of old, works virtually alone. Will the churches respond to calls? There will not be cofpOraIS guard at the next hear ing given by the county commissions CTS. My people love to have it so.'
 'The conditions are bad enough and yet few would rather have an absolutely regulated sale of liquors. Put away some of the laws and have new ones meeting modern conditions. l am not arguing today for the mod ern Sunday. It is here and will not down. We may regret it; but that avails naught. And so, we ask for such laws as will regulate; so that in some measure we shall not be con- stantly facing a wholesale violation of our laws on Sunday If this sur rendering to the .enemy?' Not near ly so much as conniving with him, as the churches are doing today
 We are facing today an increasing trend to an "open Sunday" The more and more exploit it for them selves. Either the churches must rise up in their strength and demand the Sunday of the past or we must have the modern Sunday under regu- l lation. The church will not have prohibition in Connecticut and so the | regulated saloon exists. The church | will not have the Sunday of former days; but quietly submits to an open i Sunday; and so some who see the inconsistency are demanding a regu- | lated Sunday, so that in some meas | ure 1t shall be a day of rest and quiet. 1
 Tt rests with the church whether | the day shall be constantly violated | as 1t now is, or whether we shall re- |