Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1914-07-02
CIVIC COUNCIL To
TAKE INITIATIVE
Asserts That 1t Will Proceed Con-
sistently in Regard to Sunday
Closing Law

Setting forth the plan of action of
the Civic Council of Churches in regard
to closing on Sunday, the secretary of
that body has issued the following
statement in regard to the history of
the Sunday closing movement, and
also in respect to the procedure that
the body will take. The statement Is
as follows:
Because of certain misleading
statements that have gon forth, mis-
informing the public, as to the purpose
and plan of the Civic Council of
Churches to bring about a Christian
observance of the Sabbath, the COM
mittee on Sabbath law observance, will
consent of the executive committee.
authorized the secretary, through the
press of the city. to give to the public
correct information on the subject.
Such Information is here given.
The Council of Churches had the
matter under consideration for some
time and at its meeting of June ID,
upon report of the committee on Sab
bath law observance, which had made
a somewhat thorough canvass of the
city, revealing the fact that about 100
places of business, including dry goods
stores, clothing stores, cigar stores,
confectionery stores, grocery stores, n
wholesale liquor store, barber shops
and other kline of business places were
open for business or doing business,
the council decided something should
be one
The plan adopted was to give no.
tice through the press that after two
weeks the Council of Churches would
ask the proper city officials to CO.
operate in closing places that were
openly and unnecessarily violating the
Sabbath laws. The city officials are
not willing to do as has beer don in
some other cities whose officials have
ordered the violators to desist, and will
cooperate only as the citizens take
the initiative for closing. The Council
of Churches will take this initiative
and proceed to close all places open
unnecessarily.
The plan of the council is to call
upon every violator of the law and
through moral suasion induce him to
show proper respect for the Sabbath
by closing his place of business ac-
cording to the stipulations of the law.
No prosecutions will be made unless
after a member of the committee has
discussed the matter with him he re-
fuses to heed the request. The first
class of stores that will be interviewed
and asked to close, will be the tobacco
and cigar stores. Other classes will
follow. The council will be actuated
ny TedSOH anu sanity IN the whole
matter and every person affected is
asked to take the same attitude. The
pulpit is asked to awaken the Christian
conscience, that Christians may eXer-
else the greatest care, buying only
such things as may be absolutely nee
essary. Here is the keynote to civic
reform.
1T is the opinion of the writer that
Sunday closing has not the objections
that some see in it. Generally speak
ing, it will not entail loss on the bust
nessman. The man who closes will be
more highly respected by his custo-
mers and if Gods promises are true.
he will not only profit in the end in
this life, but in the life to come have
increased reward.
THE council expects the
ton of most all the businessmen, and
has the assurance of many already.
that they will gladly cease when such
ceasing becomes uniform.
Re. VICTOR ROLAND,
Secretary o fthe Civic Council of the
Churches of Harrisburg