The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-05-21
NATIONS CAPITAL
ROUNDLY SCORED
Arraigned by Presbyterians for
It's Dissertation Of Sabbath
Day.
MINISTER'S
OBJECT.
Not Want Church to
Heed Such Trivial
Matters"

Atlantic City, N. j.. May 2o.-The
city OF Washington received a severe
arraignment at to-day's session of the
General Assembly of the Presbyterian
Church. The report OF the Sabbath OBJ
committee said:
The capital of our country has no
Sunday ew, and because of the city.s
prominence In our national life should
receive our first attention. On sun
day. retail stores are open In many
parts of the city, building operations
and street repairs go on according 10
the Will of the contractors. newspa-
pers are published both morning ana
afternoon. and are cried out through
the streets as on other days. Theatres
and five and ten cent shows and sas
looms are in full blast.
Social Sunday dissertation has also
very much increased in Washington
within the past eight years. Dinners
receptions. teas, musica1es, golf, etc.
abound, are elaborateiy announced In
the papers, and among the guests mem
toned are constantly seen the names
OF people active and even prominent In
church circles.
Sunday Is a popular dinner and
luncheon day in Washington society
Some Washingtonians place the blame
Tor 1t upon the diplomatic corps. WHOSE
Continental Sunday Is gaining ground
with the smart set of Washington.
Nearly every Sunday sees MALT a dozen
smart breakfasts at the Chevy Chase
! and an equal number OF big din
under the supervision of the club
Mnny Oppose Report.
The report of the committee on San
bath observance, with its stringent re-
concentrations. aroused an animated
discussion Many ministers proved to
be opposed to what they called an aps
tempt to go backward two centuries
and impose a real old bluff on the
sabbath" on the twentieth century.
They We're for a sane Sunday they
said, but not so strict a one as the
report called for.
The barring of travelling on Sunday,
buying things because you happened
to want them, even If they were I'M
necessary. and having no hot meals SO
your servants could rest. was declared
TO be absurd. and the assembly was
urged ITO ignore such trivial matters"
others spoke earnestly in favor OF
Keeping the Sabbath as the
ments ordered. and the report. with It's
eleven stringent resolutions, was
adopted.
Among the resolutions embodied In
the report was one to the effect that
college presidents and faculties be re-
quested to abolish Monday morning
recftations SO that students would not
nave to study on Sunday. 1t was de-
cided TO organize Sabbath observance
committees In each presbytery to CO.
operate with similar committees from
other denominations, and with State
and national organizations in preserv-
ing the sanctity of the Lords day.
Public officials arc urged In another
resolution to do their full duty in
enforcing Sunday closing laws and
Sunday newspapers are denounced In
unqualified terms.
The United States government Is also
asked to arrang that in time of peacs
no warships j~ourneying up and down
the coast Will have to move on Sunday
The General Assembly this afternoon
adopted the report and recommendation
OF the executive committee concerning
the board Of home missions, the board
of church erection and board OF mis-
sions for freedmen Into one cody. The
recommendation was agreed to after a
spirited debate. The consolidation will
reduce the membership OF the boards
from sixty-eight TO thirty.
The assembly defeated a motion to
unite the board OF education with the
college board.
The judicial commission. which has
decided to entertain the papers In tho
case of William D. Grant. of Northum-
berland. Pa. who is accused OF heresy.
Will take up the case for trial next
Monday.