Perth Amboy evening news., 1918-09-23
CHURCH CONGREGATIONS UNITE
TO PROTEST SUNDAY SHOWS
fconsnued from page i,

(Contlnued from page
titlon our v the Honorable John
IL. TenBroeck, discountenance any ef-
fort in this direction"
Rev. DIR. +. w. johnson, of Rah-
way, the preacher at the Presbyterian
church yesterday, opened the attack
on the moving picture managers by
telling something of the attempts
which have been made during the
past ten years to have the legislature
pass a bill which would make 1t law
full to have moving picture shows on
Sunday. Thirty-one attempts hav
been made. he stated, and each time
the measure has been voted down.
The Vice and immortality Law which
calls for the close observance of the
Sabbath is 40 years old, he declared,
and the effort now being made by the
| managers of this city Is an endeavor
to break this Iaw.
This action of the theatre mana
gers" DIR. Johnson said, sis an affront
to the church. to religion, to the
President of this country and to civ
ilization, being no more than a de-
mand for the privilege to keep their
houses open in order that they might
coin money on Sunday. II the mov-
ing picture houses are permitted to
remain open and do business on Sun
day, why not allow the factories to
remain wide open? What Is law for
the minority is law for the majority
in this country"
As. Dr.. Johnson continued his at
TACK upon Sunday movies he referred
20 the theatre managers as undesira-
Die citizens who are trying TO com
mercialize the Sabbath. Because the
law Is violated in some cries is no rea-
son why 1t should be violated In Perth
Amboy, he assorted. Some refer to
New Brunswick and point out hal
sunday moving pictures are allowed
IN that city. So much TO the dishonor
OF that city and the ministers of that
place who are afraid to stand up for
the right"
Rev. william II. Bawden. pastor of
the First Baptist church, in talking
upon the subject, stated that one rea-
son given by the managers is that peo-
pie cannot use their automobiles on
sunday n should have something to
occupy their time. The irony of the
plea" he stated. SHOULD enter the
minds of all. II the moving picture
] managers feel that way toward the
residents of this city. why not open
the theatres free gratis. But no, the
managers see In the present Sunday
observance q lost opportunity for the
gathering of uickles."
In commencing his discussion on
the matter. Rev. WiIbert Westcott.
pastor of the Simpson M. Z. church,
declared that the subject was one
of the most important things before
the church of God today and that II
is an unfair proposition at this time,
the fourth Liberty Loan being the
foremost thing in the minds of every
one at present.
There is only one thing which
should be done at this time" he said.
and that Is the winning of the war.
ANY men who suggest anything which
VIII take the interest from the big
problems before us are not the best
kind of citizens. The movies now
have six days of the week ana the
churches only one. If the movies are
so important then give them seven
days OF h week and put a paddock
on h churches and let the moving
picture managers car for the sick
and bury the dead"
THE logic of the Is with
out foundation" Rev. Mr.: westcott
continued. They say. The moving
picture houses OF Bayonne, Newark,
New brunswick, etc. are pen on Sun
day. Is II fair7' I might say the peo-
pie OF the Congo states eat snakes.
but we don't Is that fair? There Is
about as much logic In the two"
Now. the moving picture shows
~ aACRH0a III ~ AAAAuuAG Vi Lu0 Der
formance." he continued, and the is
sue Is put up to the audience. When
the -Four Minute Men speak they musr
wait till the end of the show and then
are talking most of the time to the
backs OF the audience. This shows
what steps the managers will tax
when II Is for their W personal
gain" In closing Mr.. Westcott said
the movement would be fought IL 1t
became necessary TO carry II to the
I courts.
w. H. War;. genera secretary OF
the Y. NJ. c. A. Glenworth Sturgis,
superintendent OF the Presbyterian
Sunday School, Samuel f. ShuIl, SUI
perintendent OF public schools. Adrian
Lyon and Joseph F.. Walker. all spoke
In opposition to he Sunday movie
plan.
Mr.. Lyon. who Is the genera chair
man OF the Liberty Loan Committee
In this city. moved the congregations
to applause by his comments. He
stated that he had been impressed by
the fac that the movement does not
come as a result OF public sentiment,
but from the managers who wan the
gain they can get out OF Sunday NOV
ing pictures. Mr.. Lyon declared that
the managers have started this action
just prior to election when they know
that Mayor TenBroeck Is up for re-
election and nus expect to secure his
permission by making II appear as IL
a majority OF the people OF the city
want Sunday movies. Let US meet
the managers at their own game and
let them know which side the votes
are on" he declared. THE propris-
tors in taking this action are endeav-
oring TO ecure gains for themselves
at the expense OF the morals OF the
community"
A motion that an executive com
mittee consisting Of the pastors Of
the churches. together with the sun
day School superintendents and wives
be named to carry on this fight
against the managers. was unani-
mously adopted.
II was stated at the meeting that
cards favoring Sunday movies were
being distributed by the managers 70
children who were promised that II
they signed them they would be ad-
mitted free.
Armed with additional petitions the
members OF the committee began to-
day 10 secure the names Of those I'm
opposition to the movement in order
that a report may be made next sun
day and the petitions turned over to
the mayor next Monday.