The Washington herald., 1919-02-23

9eations was an emblem of joy. He
: reached the doctrine or happiness
nerever he went and finally was in
iuced to form the new creed to be
known as the Happiness Fraternity"
Manager Goodfellow sought the ex-
FOUNDER of happiness and placed be-
fore him the situation that confronted
the park. After discussing the matter
at some length Manager Goodfellow
put this query to Rev. Valiant:
rs it the belief of your fraternity
that innocent pastimes indulged in Uy
the people on Sunday, the one day
of rest and recreation for many, is
a sin and should be suppressed by
law?"
The minister frankly avowed that.
according to the view of himself and
his followers the act of being happy
was not a sin. He agreed with the
manager that such harmless devices
as were employed at Luna Park to
make the patrons happy were neither
sinful or in violation of law. A COM
pact was entered into between the
minister and the manager with the re-
suit that the threatened raid was
abandoned and future Sundays at the
across-the-river amusement resort
drew greater attendances than ever
This is what happened:
The Washington newspapers carried
at the head of the Luna Park adver-
tisement in the amusement columns
the announcement that the Sunday
program of events would be preceded
by divine services. The novelty of
the situation appealed strongly to the
curious, while many church members
who had never patronized the park
on Sundays decided to combine their
worship with amusements of a harm
less character and happiness. So.
when the time came to open the gates
Sunday forenoon there was a great
crowd gathered to attend the novel
church service. Entire families came
and brought their baskets laden with
good things to eat.
The place selected for the church
auditorium was in front of the band
stand, where there were about 90
seats in the open. These were quick
ly filled and many stood in the open
spaces beyond Just before the serv-
Ice was opened six or eight grim law
officers of the county entered and took
position near the bandstand, where
the impromptu pulpit was located.
Hawks of the law" a Washington
newspaper man remarked, ready to
swoop down on this gathering and
raid the place"
Then as an anthem OF great joy
came Lead. Kindly Light" which
the band played with splendid effect
Let us pray" said the white-robed
minister. lifting his clasped hands up
ward. He prayed that God would
soften the hard hearts of those mis-
guided ones who sought to deprive
man of happiness and drive him to
morbidity. the twin evil OF crime. The
band rendered Nearer My God to
Thee and Rev. Theodore Valiant
delivered one of the most remarkable
sermons it has ever been my good
fortune to listen to. In a nutshell, he
said the Christian life should be one
OF joy. Harmless amusements such
as those at Luna Park and similar
places were conducive to ioy. All of
Gods creations are emblems of Joy.
The gaily plumaged birds of the air
sing songs of happiness. The fishes
glinting in the sunlight as they flash
through the waters are engaged al
ways in happy sport. The beasts of
the field gambol in an excess OF 10y
on every day of the week. including
Sunday-then why should not man
engage in joyous pastime on every
day. including the seventh, while in
their hearts they give silent praise to
the Master for the merCies and the
enJOyments He has given so bounti-
fully?
1T is a shrunten soul indeed that
Will seek to deprive his fellow man of
happiness, which is Godgiven, wher-
ever he may find that happiness,
said the minister. Those who seek
JOY and recreation and rest here are
to be commended. not condemned.
Those who violate the laws of God
and man do not seek such a bright
and happy place as this. They creep
INTO the dark places where morbiditv
dWells. Close this PARK and every
thicket hereabouts would become a
resort in shade and shadow for
gamblers. thieves and those of the
other half who are afraid to come into
the genial light and enjoyment of this
happiness park"
The band played the hymn of hap
plness. There's Sunshine in My
Soul. and the congregation Of folks
of every age and degree scattered
about the park and engaged in the
numerous games and amusements
that had been provided
The grim officers of the law gather
ed in group near the entrance gate
and engaged in an animated discus
sion. Washington newspaper man
who had come to get the story.
whether the place was raided or nor
approached the hawks of the law and
innocently asked:
viii you pull off a raid here to-
day."
We will not" came the quick re-
sponse as the officer said something
In a stage whisper about the danger