Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1921-02-03
BLUE LAW CAUTION
URGED BY REPORT
Episcopal Board on Social
Service Advises Church
Against Campaign.

4S0UtoS outkJOISus
Pastors of the Washington Diocese
of the Episcopal Church were urged
at today's session of the annual con-
vention of the diocese at st. Stephens
Episcopal Church not to enter at this
time my campaig in connection with
proposed blue laws for the District OF
Columbia.
This recommendation was made by
the diocesan board on social service
in a report presented by Rev. DR.. G..
X. Stetson. 1t was set forth In the
report that 'it is quite evident that
the present agitation in the press and
moving picture theaters about the
Sunday blue laws is part of care
fully considered scheme to arouse
opinion to active hostility against any
restriction on commercialiZed amuse-
ments on Sunday.
Things are stated as facts which
are mere imaginings and the interests
concerned in entertainment enter
prises are, we are led to believe, Gre
ating what might be called a smoke
screen behind which they may be able
to carry through various laws of their
own making.
This is one side Of the matter.
On the other are various organiza-
tions which have prepared mea sures
10 restrict work and amusementS on
Snrfaag. Of ya;ioEss .aegrenss Of vigor,
Tfese aeshcffs de- not Hgree among
themselves as 20 what il is they want
and What IL Is wisa to do
House Bill "To0 Drastic"
The report bhAstpgkJ up a bill now
pending Id the House regarding work
on Sunday: IT was declared to be too
drastic we wish some restriction
placed on commercialized amusement
rest. but do not think this an op-
perfume time to press drastic legfsla-
ton of sabbaiarian character"
In asking the clergy to refrain from
entering into any campaign for the
proposed Sunday blue laws. the re-
for the unwary by those interested
in maintaining the present state of
things. If we fall into It and proceed
to agitate for drastic Sunday laws
the churches and the religious people
will be held up to ridicule' and OBJ
loquy."
fact that there are some who come
from other countries where Sunday is
one day in the week for all form Of
amusement, after the church hours.
and that those people. have never
been taught to see any harm In this
practice.
fed in attempting to voice anything
approaching Saba atarianism OF the
Puritan times" the report stated.
Child Labor Bill support.
The convention was urged in the
report to give support to the child
labor bill now pending in Congress.
Bishop Harding presided at the
session this morning. The diocesan
board of religious education. through
Canon w. l.. De Vries. gave report
in which it was urged that there be
larger attendance in the Sunday
schools, A resolution was offered.
which the convention adopted. that
more Young men be urged to study
for the ministry. and clergy were
urged to get into touch with the
Young men of the church with this
in view.
adonted. the Church Service League is
given recognition by the diocese. A
resolution urging larger Lenten oner-
ings In the Sunday schools was adopt
ed. The report stated that the junior
auxiliary was organized during the
past year to enlist children in church
work. ....-
Rev. DR.. G. c. F. Bratenahl gave a
report of the church pension fund
committee. He stated in the report
that it is expected by the next annual
convention certain recommendations
will be made regarding merger OF
the church pension fund and the serV-
ice clergy relief fund. .
restriction ON Collections.
Action to guard against indiscrimi-
nate collection Of funds for social or
charitable work in the name of the
Episcopal Church was taken at the
session It was decided. In resolutions
adopted, that hereafter persons desir-
ing to make such collections must Sc
cure permission from the board Of So
cial service, which, In turn, Will get
the sanction of the bishop.
committee consisting Of Bishop
Harding, Rev. d. w. Curran, Rev. O..
r dudley, Corcoran Thorn and Harry
the Phillips fund. which. it was an
nounced Yesterday, had been given to
the diocese convention.
An election of the standing commit
tee. deputies to the provincial synod
and members of the diocesan board of
noon. ..-
Action ON Church Suffrage.
Woman suffrage in Episcopal
Yesterday at the afternoon session Of
fhe annual convention OF the diocese
Of washington. when two resolutions
relating to the subject were adopted.
Bishop Harding was empowered to
appoint a committee of three laymen
to confer with similar committees ap-
pointed by the diocese of Maryland
and with such committee as may be
appointed by the diocese of Easton. in
regard to legislation which may be
advisa BILE "in consequence of the nine
teenth amendment to the Constitu-
tion."
Arthur s. Browne. The committee
was given full power to carry out any
action recommended at the conference
between such committees. provided
such action is approved by. the bishoH B.
The committee on the house OF
churchwomen was continued until the
next convention. resolution to this
erect being adopted. Rev. Herbert
Scott Smith. rector Of St. Margaret's
Church. spoke Of woman suffrage
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