New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1923-04-11
PRIEST CHAMPIONS
A Liberal SUNDAY
Men Behind Blue Laws Going
Beyond Mark, Fr. Conlon Says
AT ST. JOHNS MISSION
La Sallcttc missionary Believes Lords
Day Should BE Happiest Day os
Week. Instead OF Dullest-Opposes
Puritanisn.

Sunday athletics, including base
ball should not be outlawed, accord
ing to the Rev. Thomas Conlon, NJ. S.,
La Sallette missioner, who is engaged
in a mission at the church of St.
John the Evangelist Father Conlon
In his instructions last night, entitled
THE Observance of Sunday" said
the "blue" Sunday was not Gods
plan and that the movement have
such plan adopted was making re-
ligion ridiculous.
THE men who are trying to bring
about the enforcement of such laws
are going beyond the mark alto
gether, and they are usurping the
power of God and 1t Is not right" he
said. God made us after his own
image and likeness and meant that
we should initiate him and the faith
full in heaven. By following the blue
Sunday program we would not be
initiating the faithful in heaven, but
the lost in hell. The lost in hell have
committed offenses for which they
must suffer and the living on earth
will suffer for their offenses in hell
when the time arrives unless they
make atoncment."
Father Conlon expressed the
opinion that the campaign for
blue" Sunday served the cause of
irreligion far better than that Of wor-
ship. The Puritan Sabbath, he
pointed out, was never widely ap-
proved by the Christian church. and
was, in fact, denial of the entire
spirit of the New Testament.
Worship Has Proper Place
sunday, as we all know" he said.
"is one of the foundations not only
of religion but of civilized life itself.
The principle of one day in seven
set apart for rest has been one of the
greatest factors in human progress.
For a Christian the principle is that
Sunday is to be observed as the
Lords Day. and therefore worship
must have its proper place. No
can consistently or with
loyalty neglect worship on the Lords
Day. The Christian is to come near
to God on this day SO that he can
keep near him on all days"
Father Conlon does not believe,
however, that church attendance on
Sunday carries with it any obliga-
ion to refrain from wholesome rec
reation and pleasure. He believes
he Lords Day should be the hap
piest day of the week, not the dullest. |
He believes the blue Sunday" muve-
nent, If enforced, would be an un-
invasion of proper in !
1ividual liberty. The Sabbath was
made for man and not man for the
according to Father Con-
on, who believes that a possible re-
'ival of the old Puritan Sabbath
would be a calamity.
"Blue sunday" Depresses
The blue Sunday idea is a wrong
dea of religion, in the opinion of
Gather Conlon. He claims that it
pictures religion as something out of
ccord with the joy and happiness
If life. What the people need to-
lay according to Father Conlon, is
he message Behold, | bring to you
.ood tidings of great joy" The whole
dea of the Puritan Sabbath is en-
rely in contrast with this message,
ccording to Father Conlon, who
sserts that the Puritan Sabbath
lea puts emphasis on restrictions
nd restraint rather than on the
rinciple of the guidance of the spirit
Almighty God loves the cheerful
nd blesses those who are happy"
ecared Father Conlon, who con- ,
nued by stated that to be blessed ,
Y Almighty God does not mean that ,
'e must refrain from all amuse- ,
tents on the Sabbath, as long as :
ney are clean of heart and pure in !
oul. and If you refrain from all {
armful amusements, you are pleas
ig in the sight of God, and need no 4
'lue Sabbath laws"
The instruction by the Reverend
ather Cotter was on the subject
The mission has been +
ell attended up to the nresenr time c