New York, 1895
The steamer Aurora landed a picnic party at Stimmel's pavilion at Whitestone on Sunday. Several smaller parties entered the village by train. Foot ball and bowling matches were carried on in the afternoon, and there was music also. The Good Government club with several deputy sheriffs put a stop to the music and games. In order to get into the ground they were compelled to climb a high board fence.
—The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, NY, June 21, 1895, p. 1.
Showing posts with label Sunday. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sunday. Show all posts
Monday, August 18, 2008
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Sunday Bicycling Editorial
New York, 1895
The Rev. Dr. Cooper of the Church of the Redeemer at Astoria takes a sensible and at the same time a liberal Christian view of the Sunday bicyclist, and if all clergymen would do the same there would not be so many empty seats in the churches. The man who goes to church on his wheel may be quite as devoted to worship as the man who goes there grandly in his coach, and the cycler should have the preference, for he is not depriving other men of the opportunity to worship God on Sunday by keeping them at work grooming horses and driving them.
—The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, NY, May 31, 1895, p. 4.
The Rev. Dr. Cooper of the Church of the Redeemer at Astoria takes a sensible and at the same time a liberal Christian view of the Sunday bicyclist, and if all clergymen would do the same there would not be so many empty seats in the churches. The man who goes to church on his wheel may be quite as devoted to worship as the man who goes there grandly in his coach, and the cycler should have the preference, for he is not depriving other men of the opportunity to worship God on Sunday by keeping them at work grooming horses and driving them.
—The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, NY, May 31, 1895, p. 4.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Rev. Baumeister
New York, 1895
The Rev. Mr. Baumeister of the Reformed church in College Point makes the open declaration that he does not object to the open sale of liquor on Sunday, but he does protest most decidedly against music, dancing and ball playing. There is no law forbidding music on Sundays, or even baseball, but Mr. Baumeister makes a law for the occasion at the same time that he consents to the violation of a positive inhibitive statute against liquor selling. The inconsistency of his position is too ludicrous to be considered seriously. It would make a merry skit on the variety stage.
—The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, NY, May 3, 1895, p. 4.
The Rev. Mr. Baumeister of the Reformed church in College Point makes the open declaration that he does not object to the open sale of liquor on Sunday, but he does protest most decidedly against music, dancing and ball playing. There is no law forbidding music on Sundays, or even baseball, but Mr. Baumeister makes a law for the occasion at the same time that he consents to the violation of a positive inhibitive statute against liquor selling. The inconsistency of his position is too ludicrous to be considered seriously. It would make a merry skit on the variety stage.
—The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, NY, May 3, 1895, p. 4.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Correspondence
New York, 1895
Wilson Palmer's Sunday Mail Service Raises an Objection.
To the Editor of the Long Island Farmer:
I notice that Wilson Palmer, of Floral Park, who used to write editorials in the Standard telling Jamaica people that they should be alive, has at last personally begun the work of reform. His first move is directed toward the establishment of a Sunday incoming and outgoing mail; but this is understood to be only an initiatory step, his intention being ultimately to make the reform sweeping and radical.
Being, I regret to say, personally unacquainted with Mr. Palmer, I take this means of offering a suggestion. I think he has started the reform in an unfortunately unwise manner. In my opinion, Mr. Palmer will clash with Jamaica's time-established and deep rooted reverence for the sanctity of the Lord's day when he attempts to institute any reform necessitating labor on that day. Moreover, I would like to ask Mr. Palmer, who, I understand, is a great admirer of the good old New England customs, if such a reform as he suggests would not tend to relegate the Bible and other sacred literature to a back shelf to make room for the letter-pad and Saturday weekly newspaper.
No doubt Mr. Palmer has personal reasons in this line. He has, if I have been correctly informed, a large correspondence, in addition to numerous newspapers which arrive each week containing complimentary references to himself I therefore appreciate his anxiety to be able to take this interesting literature to the cosey retirement of his study on Sunday. We admit the temptation is great, but in the interest of Jamaica's staid old family customs, which make the Scriptures the dominant, and sacred writings the only, Sunday literature, I would ask Mr. Palmer to reconsider the order in which he takes up his reforms, and leave the one in question until some future date. — PURITANICUS.
—The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, NY, Feb. 22, 1895, p. 12.
Wilson Palmer's Sunday Mail Service Raises an Objection.
To the Editor of the Long Island Farmer:
I notice that Wilson Palmer, of Floral Park, who used to write editorials in the Standard telling Jamaica people that they should be alive, has at last personally begun the work of reform. His first move is directed toward the establishment of a Sunday incoming and outgoing mail; but this is understood to be only an initiatory step, his intention being ultimately to make the reform sweeping and radical.
Being, I regret to say, personally unacquainted with Mr. Palmer, I take this means of offering a suggestion. I think he has started the reform in an unfortunately unwise manner. In my opinion, Mr. Palmer will clash with Jamaica's time-established and deep rooted reverence for the sanctity of the Lord's day when he attempts to institute any reform necessitating labor on that day. Moreover, I would like to ask Mr. Palmer, who, I understand, is a great admirer of the good old New England customs, if such a reform as he suggests would not tend to relegate the Bible and other sacred literature to a back shelf to make room for the letter-pad and Saturday weekly newspaper.
No doubt Mr. Palmer has personal reasons in this line. He has, if I have been correctly informed, a large correspondence, in addition to numerous newspapers which arrive each week containing complimentary references to himself I therefore appreciate his anxiety to be able to take this interesting literature to the cosey retirement of his study on Sunday. We admit the temptation is great, but in the interest of Jamaica's staid old family customs, which make the Scriptures the dominant, and sacred writings the only, Sunday literature, I would ask Mr. Palmer to reconsider the order in which he takes up his reforms, and leave the one in question until some future date. — PURITANICUS.
—The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, NY, Feb. 22, 1895, p. 12.
Monday, May 5, 2008
Temporizing With Sin
New York, 1895
Temporizing with sin is the manner in which many church people stigmatize the compromise entered into between the clergymen and saloon keepers at Rockaway. The saloon keepers agreed to keep their places closed until a certain hour each Sunday, after which they were to be permitted to run their side doors unmolested. Several meetings were held at which the Sunday closing movement was discussed, and finally the half day closing project was agreed to by both sides. As far as can be learned, the saloon keepers have kept their part of the agreement, but some of the clergymen are beginning to regret their connection with the scheme, and it is thought that a movement will soon be organized to compel the closing of the saloons all day Sunday.
—The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, N.Y., Jan. 11, 1895, p. 1.
Temporizing with sin is the manner in which many church people stigmatize the compromise entered into between the clergymen and saloon keepers at Rockaway. The saloon keepers agreed to keep their places closed until a certain hour each Sunday, after which they were to be permitted to run their side doors unmolested. Several meetings were held at which the Sunday closing movement was discussed, and finally the half day closing project was agreed to by both sides. As far as can be learned, the saloon keepers have kept their part of the agreement, but some of the clergymen are beginning to regret their connection with the scheme, and it is thought that a movement will soon be organized to compel the closing of the saloons all day Sunday.
—The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, N.Y., Jan. 11, 1895, p. 1.
Friday, March 14, 2008
Talks on American Sunday
1902
Cardinal Gibbons Declares That the Rich Man Desecrates the Day by Newspaper Reading
In his sermon on the American Sunday at the cathedral at Baltimore, Cardinal Gibbons, among other things, said:
"It has been the boast of our country that in no nation of the world was the Christian Sabbath better respected than in the United States, but a close observer cannot fail to note the dangerous inroads that have been made on the Lord's day in this country during the last 30 years.
"The average business man of America is in a state of habitual feverish activity. He rushes through life at full steam. The one aim of his existence is to become rich. Money making is not the means, but the end, of his life. He increases his wealth, not so much for the love of it as from the fascination attached to the accumulation of a fortune.
"On Sunday mornings, as he is debarred from the conventionalities of life in going to his place of business, he seizes the morning paper and devours its contents of 20 or 30 pages, its news of stocks and bonds, or pleasures and amusements, of crime and scandal, until his whole being is saturated with this unhealthy diet. Like animals gorged with food, he spends the morning in a comatose condition."
—The Indiana Democrat, Indiana, PA, Nov. 26, 1902, p. 5.
Cardinal Gibbons Declares That the Rich Man Desecrates the Day by Newspaper Reading
In his sermon on the American Sunday at the cathedral at Baltimore, Cardinal Gibbons, among other things, said:
"It has been the boast of our country that in no nation of the world was the Christian Sabbath better respected than in the United States, but a close observer cannot fail to note the dangerous inroads that have been made on the Lord's day in this country during the last 30 years.
"The average business man of America is in a state of habitual feverish activity. He rushes through life at full steam. The one aim of his existence is to become rich. Money making is not the means, but the end, of his life. He increases his wealth, not so much for the love of it as from the fascination attached to the accumulation of a fortune.
"On Sunday mornings, as he is debarred from the conventionalities of life in going to his place of business, he seizes the morning paper and devours its contents of 20 or 30 pages, its news of stocks and bonds, or pleasures and amusements, of crime and scandal, until his whole being is saturated with this unhealthy diet. Like animals gorged with food, he spends the morning in a comatose condition."
—The Indiana Democrat, Indiana, PA, Nov. 26, 1902, p. 5.
Friday, July 13, 2007
Combined Efforts on National Tuberculosis Sunday
1910
Opportunity To Do Good
New York City had more arrests for violation of the anti-spitting ordinance in 1909 than any other city in the United States, having had 2,513, with 2,099 convictions, and $1,936.80 collected in fines. Baltimore comes next with 214 arrests and an equal number of convictions. Pittsburgh is third in rank, with St. Louis in fourth place.
St. Louis, however, would have been in second place, if the sanitary police who enforce the law in that city had been at work in 1909. In 52 cities out of 80 the law was either not enforced at all or very poorly enforced. Of the remaining 28 cities, less than one-half of them contributed more than three-fourths of the arrests for spitting and of the fines collected.
On account of the fact that National Tuberculosis Sunday will be observed on April 24, the National Association for the Study and Prevention of Tuberculosis is calling the attention of clergymen in all parts of the country to the advisability of bringing before their congregations the necessity for better enforcement of the anti-spitting laws.
Friends
It is a good thing to have good friends, but not to be dominated too much or too long by their example. — Rev. William Dickie.
Opportunity To Do Good
New York City had more arrests for violation of the anti-spitting ordinance in 1909 than any other city in the United States, having had 2,513, with 2,099 convictions, and $1,936.80 collected in fines. Baltimore comes next with 214 arrests and an equal number of convictions. Pittsburgh is third in rank, with St. Louis in fourth place.
St. Louis, however, would have been in second place, if the sanitary police who enforce the law in that city had been at work in 1909. In 52 cities out of 80 the law was either not enforced at all or very poorly enforced. Of the remaining 28 cities, less than one-half of them contributed more than three-fourths of the arrests for spitting and of the fines collected.
On account of the fact that National Tuberculosis Sunday will be observed on April 24, the National Association for the Study and Prevention of Tuberculosis is calling the attention of clergymen in all parts of the country to the advisability of bringing before their congregations the necessity for better enforcement of the anti-spitting laws.
Friends
It is a good thing to have good friends, but not to be dominated too much or too long by their example. — Rev. William Dickie.
Saturday, June 2, 2007
Sunday Laws Unjust
Alaska, 1914
Enforcement of the Sunday closing law is not being taken amiably by the people of Nome, according to the newspapers published there. Of course, the law is being obeyed, but its enforcement has occasioned much resentment on the part of the people, who have been making numerous protests, and plans even have been made for securing the removal of the officials who were responsible for the enforcement of the law.
It has often been asserted that the best way to get rid of a bad law is to enforce it, but here in Alaska where people have little power in the making of their laws, this rule will not hold good.
It would seem that the matter of closing stores and saloons on Sunday should be determined by the people of each community and there is a serious question if any such law, except where morals are involved, would be declared constitutional.
If a thing is immoral and wrong on a Sunday it would seem to be so on every other day of the week, and it does not seem that there is much justice in a law that interferes with a person's religious observance, at least the Constitution of the United States so asserts.
If any man's business or work interferes with another's religious observances, it can be seen wherein a law might be made to prevent it, but the mere closing of stores and preventing men from working on Sundays is interfering with individual freedom unnecessarily.
Taking it strictly from a religious view, Sunday closing is class legislation, for there are many classes of good people who do not observe Sunday as a day of rest, unless forced by law to do so. Among these are the Jews, the Seventh Day Adventists, the agnostics and people of many religious faiths other than that of Christianity.
The injustice of laws like the Sunday closing law, from a religious view, would be forced upon people if, for instance, the Christians should be forced to observe the Jewish sabbath. We cannot truthfully say that we are in a country of full religious liberty as long as people's liberties on Sunday are interfered with.
—The Alaska Citizen, Fairbanks, March 30, 1914.
Enforcement of the Sunday closing law is not being taken amiably by the people of Nome, according to the newspapers published there. Of course, the law is being obeyed, but its enforcement has occasioned much resentment on the part of the people, who have been making numerous protests, and plans even have been made for securing the removal of the officials who were responsible for the enforcement of the law.
It has often been asserted that the best way to get rid of a bad law is to enforce it, but here in Alaska where people have little power in the making of their laws, this rule will not hold good.
It would seem that the matter of closing stores and saloons on Sunday should be determined by the people of each community and there is a serious question if any such law, except where morals are involved, would be declared constitutional.
If a thing is immoral and wrong on a Sunday it would seem to be so on every other day of the week, and it does not seem that there is much justice in a law that interferes with a person's religious observance, at least the Constitution of the United States so asserts.
If any man's business or work interferes with another's religious observances, it can be seen wherein a law might be made to prevent it, but the mere closing of stores and preventing men from working on Sundays is interfering with individual freedom unnecessarily.
Taking it strictly from a religious view, Sunday closing is class legislation, for there are many classes of good people who do not observe Sunday as a day of rest, unless forced by law to do so. Among these are the Jews, the Seventh Day Adventists, the agnostics and people of many religious faiths other than that of Christianity.
The injustice of laws like the Sunday closing law, from a religious view, would be forced upon people if, for instance, the Christians should be forced to observe the Jewish sabbath. We cannot truthfully say that we are in a country of full religious liberty as long as people's liberties on Sunday are interfered with.
—The Alaska Citizen, Fairbanks, March 30, 1914.
Monday, May 28, 2007
No Funerals on Sunday
Indiana, 1906
Cemetery in Muncie, Ind., Will Bar Burials on Holy Days and Holidays
Muncie, Ind. — Heeding a popular cry against Sunday funerals, the trustees of Beach Grove cemetery, in Muncie, have issued an order forbidding any burial in that cemetery on any Sunday, on January 1, May 30 or December 25, of any year except in cases of great necessity or contagious diseases. This order is not to take effect, however, until the first day of next year. After that time, therefore, if there be Sunday funerals in Muncie, the burials must be made in some country cemetery or in some other town.
The cemetery trustees give the following as their reasons for this action: The Sunday funeral disturbs the quiet of the Lord's day, as it is frequently attended by bands of music and by hundreds of curiosity seekers, and is "often accompanied by an evident desire for display on the part of the supposed or real mourners;" if funeral services are held in a church, they frequently disturb the regular service of that church; cemeteries are most often visited on Sundays and a funeral serves to excite morbid curiosity and causes visitors in the burying ground to trample upon graves and to "disregard the decorum that should attend such occasions;" the Sunday funeral is in violation of the decalogue which says: "Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy," because it necessitates work on the part of the cemetery employes.
Muncie ministers are heartily in favor of the plan and it is believed the public will be, also.
Cemetery in Muncie, Ind., Will Bar Burials on Holy Days and Holidays
Muncie, Ind. — Heeding a popular cry against Sunday funerals, the trustees of Beach Grove cemetery, in Muncie, have issued an order forbidding any burial in that cemetery on any Sunday, on January 1, May 30 or December 25, of any year except in cases of great necessity or contagious diseases. This order is not to take effect, however, until the first day of next year. After that time, therefore, if there be Sunday funerals in Muncie, the burials must be made in some country cemetery or in some other town.
The cemetery trustees give the following as their reasons for this action: The Sunday funeral disturbs the quiet of the Lord's day, as it is frequently attended by bands of music and by hundreds of curiosity seekers, and is "often accompanied by an evident desire for display on the part of the supposed or real mourners;" if funeral services are held in a church, they frequently disturb the regular service of that church; cemeteries are most often visited on Sundays and a funeral serves to excite morbid curiosity and causes visitors in the burying ground to trample upon graves and to "disregard the decorum that should attend such occasions;" the Sunday funeral is in violation of the decalogue which says: "Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy," because it necessitates work on the part of the cemetery employes.
Muncie ministers are heartily in favor of the plan and it is believed the public will be, also.
Tuesday, May 1, 2007
All Right To Fish Sunday, Says Pastor
1920
But Go to Church First, Preacher Qualifies Advice
SALINA, Kan. — Salina has a preacher whom every fisherman in Kansas can praise. He is Rev. Arthur Dillinger, pastor of the First Christian church — and he believes it is all right for a man to go fishing on Sunday if he first goes to church.
"I fail to see where we get the idea that the man or boy who goes fishing on Sunday is going straight to perdition," he says. "It doesn't say it in the Bible, and for my part I think there is not as much harm sitting on the bank of some quiet stream fishing as there is rushing over the road at a furious rate of speed in an automobile and burning up good money for gasoline.
"We have worked up a lot of useless theories about the observance of Sunday and this idea about never going fishing or indulging in any other legitimate enjoyment on Sunday afternoon, after church worship in the morning, is one of them."
But Go to Church First, Preacher Qualifies Advice
SALINA, Kan. — Salina has a preacher whom every fisherman in Kansas can praise. He is Rev. Arthur Dillinger, pastor of the First Christian church — and he believes it is all right for a man to go fishing on Sunday if he first goes to church.
"I fail to see where we get the idea that the man or boy who goes fishing on Sunday is going straight to perdition," he says. "It doesn't say it in the Bible, and for my part I think there is not as much harm sitting on the bank of some quiet stream fishing as there is rushing over the road at a furious rate of speed in an automobile and burning up good money for gasoline.
"We have worked up a lot of useless theories about the observance of Sunday and this idea about never going fishing or indulging in any other legitimate enjoyment on Sunday afternoon, after church worship in the morning, is one of them."
Sunday, April 29, 2007
Once Rigid Rules for Sabbath-Keeping at Harvard
1916
OLD TIME SUNDAY LAWS.
Rigid Rules For Harvard Students Two Centuries Ago.
In "The Story of Harvard" Mr. Arthur Stanwood Pier gives an account of the strict regulations formerly set down for the guidance of the Harvard undergraduates by the president and the fellows of the corporation. The old laws, intended to enforce upon the undergraduates a more religious and studious life, would be considered repressive and tyrannical today.
"All the scholars shall at sunset in the evening preceding the Lord's day retire to their chambers and not unnecessarily leave them, and all disorder on said evening shall be punished as violations of the Sabbath are. * * * And whosoever shall profane said day — the Sabbath — by unnecessary business or visiting, walking in the commons or in the streets or fields, in the town of Cambridge, or by any sort of diversion before sunset, or that in the evening of the Lord's day shall behave himself disorderly or in any way unbecoming the season, shall be fined not exceeding 10 shillings.
"That students may furnish themselves with useful learning, they shall keep in their respective chambers and diligently follow their studies, except half an hour at breakfast, at dinner for from 12 to 2 and after evening prayers till after 9 of the clock. To that end the tutors shall frequently visit their chambers after 9 o'clock in the evening and at other studying times, to quicken them to their business."
It does not seem that under such a system of vigilance and visitation the students could fall into very dissolute ways. But a few years later George Whitefield, the famous evangelist who so stirred up New England, visited Harvard college and expressed his displeasure at the dissipated habits of the young men. He declared conditions at Oxford were no worse, a charge so damaging that it greatly disturbed and incensed the college authorities.
OLD TIME SUNDAY LAWS.
Rigid Rules For Harvard Students Two Centuries Ago.
In "The Story of Harvard" Mr. Arthur Stanwood Pier gives an account of the strict regulations formerly set down for the guidance of the Harvard undergraduates by the president and the fellows of the corporation. The old laws, intended to enforce upon the undergraduates a more religious and studious life, would be considered repressive and tyrannical today.
"All the scholars shall at sunset in the evening preceding the Lord's day retire to their chambers and not unnecessarily leave them, and all disorder on said evening shall be punished as violations of the Sabbath are. * * * And whosoever shall profane said day — the Sabbath — by unnecessary business or visiting, walking in the commons or in the streets or fields, in the town of Cambridge, or by any sort of diversion before sunset, or that in the evening of the Lord's day shall behave himself disorderly or in any way unbecoming the season, shall be fined not exceeding 10 shillings.
"That students may furnish themselves with useful learning, they shall keep in their respective chambers and diligently follow their studies, except half an hour at breakfast, at dinner for from 12 to 2 and after evening prayers till after 9 of the clock. To that end the tutors shall frequently visit their chambers after 9 o'clock in the evening and at other studying times, to quicken them to their business."
It does not seem that under such a system of vigilance and visitation the students could fall into very dissolute ways. But a few years later George Whitefield, the famous evangelist who so stirred up New England, visited Harvard college and expressed his displeasure at the dissipated habits of the young men. He declared conditions at Oxford were no worse, a charge so damaging that it greatly disturbed and incensed the college authorities.
Monday, April 16, 2007
Temperance Work and Sunday Closings Encouraged
St. Augustine, Florida and Waukesha, Wisconsin, 1911
Dr. Badger's Good Work
The St. Augustine (Fla.) Record recently contained the ensuing pleasant item respecting the labors of Rev. Dr. A. S. Badger in that city. The article is headed "Splendid Sermon at Memorial":
"Upon the subject of temperance in the morning and "The Abandoned Farms of New York and New England" in the evening the Rev. Alfred S. Badger, D. D., pastor of Memorial Presbyterian church, delivered strong and interesting sermons at both morning and evening services yesterday. Yesterday was World's Temperance Sunday and his temperance sermon in the morning was most interesting and forceful and was also a scholarly resume of the temperance movement from its inception to the present day. His evening sermon brought forth forcefully the good that can be accomplished by co-operation."
Sunday Closing in Florida
Rev. A. S. Badger Relates Interesting Incident of St. Augustine
St. Augustine, Fla., Nov. 13, 1911.
Editor Freeman: —
I see that Mayor Love is seeking to make Waukesha a city of law-abiding people. I would like to take his hand and encourage him.
One of the elders of my church is mayor of this city. He has insisted on obedience of the law. Not long since he was absent over the Sabbath and the saloons opened for business on that day; so the city editor of the St. Augustine Evening Record stated at my Christian Endeavor meeting last evening, which he was leading. On the following Monday the police court calendar contained a long list of cases of drunkenness, disorderly conduct, etc.
On the mayor's return he closed the saloons absolutely on Sunday and on the following Monday there was not a case before the police court.
It is with this incident I would shake hands with the mayor.
Fraternally,
ALFRED S. BADGER.
—The Waukesha Freeman, Waukesha, Wisconsin, November 23, 1911, page 6.
Dr. Badger's Good Work
The St. Augustine (Fla.) Record recently contained the ensuing pleasant item respecting the labors of Rev. Dr. A. S. Badger in that city. The article is headed "Splendid Sermon at Memorial":
"Upon the subject of temperance in the morning and "The Abandoned Farms of New York and New England" in the evening the Rev. Alfred S. Badger, D. D., pastor of Memorial Presbyterian church, delivered strong and interesting sermons at both morning and evening services yesterday. Yesterday was World's Temperance Sunday and his temperance sermon in the morning was most interesting and forceful and was also a scholarly resume of the temperance movement from its inception to the present day. His evening sermon brought forth forcefully the good that can be accomplished by co-operation."
Sunday Closing in Florida
Rev. A. S. Badger Relates Interesting Incident of St. Augustine
St. Augustine, Fla., Nov. 13, 1911.
Editor Freeman: —
I see that Mayor Love is seeking to make Waukesha a city of law-abiding people. I would like to take his hand and encourage him.
One of the elders of my church is mayor of this city. He has insisted on obedience of the law. Not long since he was absent over the Sabbath and the saloons opened for business on that day; so the city editor of the St. Augustine Evening Record stated at my Christian Endeavor meeting last evening, which he was leading. On the following Monday the police court calendar contained a long list of cases of drunkenness, disorderly conduct, etc.
On the mayor's return he closed the saloons absolutely on Sunday and on the following Monday there was not a case before the police court.
It is with this incident I would shake hands with the mayor.
Fraternally,
ALFRED S. BADGER.
—The Waukesha Freeman, Waukesha, Wisconsin, November 23, 1911, page 6.
Sunday, April 15, 2007
How Sunday Was Observed in Merry Olde England
1903
OLD ENGLISH SUNDAY
How the Day Was Observed Prior to the English Revolution.
For a considerable period prior to the English revolution Sunday was a day of great festivity and high revelry in the old country. Incredible though it may appear, its observance was governed and ordered by a paradoxical royal declaration, issued by King James I. This document is generally known as "The Book of Sports." In its preamble it recites a royal rebuke, administered to "some Puritans and precise people" for "prohibiting o' unlawful punishing of Our good people for using their lawful Recreations and honest exercises upon Sundayes and other holy days, after the afternoone sermon or service," and then it refers to "the general complaint of our people that they were barred from all lawful Recreation and exercise upon the Sundayes afternoone, which cannot but produce two evils; the one the hindering of the conversion of many, whom their priests will take occasion hereby to vexe, persuading them that no honest mirth or recreation is lawfully or tollerable in our Religion which cannot but breed a great discontentment in our people's hearts; the other inconvenience is that this prohibition barreth the common and meaner sort of people from using such exercises as may make their bodies more able for Warre, when we or our successors shall have occasion to use them."
Then follows the royal mandate "that no lawful Recreation shall be barred to our good People," and "The Bishop and all other inferior Churchmen and Churchwardens" are enjoined to "bee careful and diligent both to instruct the ignorant and convince and reforme them that are misled in religion." "Our pleasure likewise is That the Bishop of the Diocese take the like straight order with all the Puritans and Precisians within the same, either constraining them to conforme themselves, or to leave the country according to the Lawes of Our Kingdome and Canons of our Church." The declaration proceeds to define "lawful Recreation" as "Dancing, either men or women. Archerie for men, leaping, vaulting or any other such harmlesse Recreation, including May games, Witsun-Ales and Morris-dances and the setting up of May poles and other sports therewith used. But withal wee doe here accompt still as prohibited all unlawful games to be used upon Sundays onely, as Beare and Bull baitings, Interludes, and at all times in the feaner sort of People by Law prohibited, Bowling." A penalty was inflicted upon those who did not join in the Sunday sports, and no one could take part in them without first having attended divine service in the parish church, which was also enforced under pain of penalty.
In those days the clergymen would, in obedience to the royal decree, publicly recite the "Book of Sports" from the pulpit; after divine service he, with his church wardens, would proceed with the congregation onto the village green, there to indulge in all kinds of "lawful Recreation." While the sports were going on it was the custom for the parson and his church wardens to retire to the adjoining room.—New York Evening Post.
—Davenport Daily Republican, Davenport, Iowa, March 4, 1903, page 3.
OLD ENGLISH SUNDAY
How the Day Was Observed Prior to the English Revolution.
For a considerable period prior to the English revolution Sunday was a day of great festivity and high revelry in the old country. Incredible though it may appear, its observance was governed and ordered by a paradoxical royal declaration, issued by King James I. This document is generally known as "The Book of Sports." In its preamble it recites a royal rebuke, administered to "some Puritans and precise people" for "prohibiting o' unlawful punishing of Our good people for using their lawful Recreations and honest exercises upon Sundayes and other holy days, after the afternoone sermon or service," and then it refers to "the general complaint of our people that they were barred from all lawful Recreation and exercise upon the Sundayes afternoone, which cannot but produce two evils; the one the hindering of the conversion of many, whom their priests will take occasion hereby to vexe, persuading them that no honest mirth or recreation is lawfully or tollerable in our Religion which cannot but breed a great discontentment in our people's hearts; the other inconvenience is that this prohibition barreth the common and meaner sort of people from using such exercises as may make their bodies more able for Warre, when we or our successors shall have occasion to use them."
Then follows the royal mandate "that no lawful Recreation shall be barred to our good People," and "The Bishop and all other inferior Churchmen and Churchwardens" are enjoined to "bee careful and diligent both to instruct the ignorant and convince and reforme them that are misled in religion." "Our pleasure likewise is That the Bishop of the Diocese take the like straight order with all the Puritans and Precisians within the same, either constraining them to conforme themselves, or to leave the country according to the Lawes of Our Kingdome and Canons of our Church." The declaration proceeds to define "lawful Recreation" as "Dancing, either men or women. Archerie for men, leaping, vaulting or any other such harmlesse Recreation, including May games, Witsun-Ales and Morris-dances and the setting up of May poles and other sports therewith used. But withal wee doe here accompt still as prohibited all unlawful games to be used upon Sundays onely, as Beare and Bull baitings, Interludes, and at all times in the feaner sort of People by Law prohibited, Bowling." A penalty was inflicted upon those who did not join in the Sunday sports, and no one could take part in them without first having attended divine service in the parish church, which was also enforced under pain of penalty.
In those days the clergymen would, in obedience to the royal decree, publicly recite the "Book of Sports" from the pulpit; after divine service he, with his church wardens, would proceed with the congregation onto the village green, there to indulge in all kinds of "lawful Recreation." While the sports were going on it was the custom for the parson and his church wardens to retire to the adjoining room.—New York Evening Post.
—Davenport Daily Republican, Davenport, Iowa, March 4, 1903, page 3.
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Sunday Morning Fire Drives Out Worshipers
1920
FLAMES DRIVE OUT LA CROSSE WORSHIPERS
La Crosse. -- Fire which broke out here Sunday morning in the English Lutheran church drove out several hundred worshipers who fled from the building. No one was injured.
It is thought an overheated chimney caused the fire, which consumed the upper part of the edifice. The interior was badly damaged by water and falling debris.
The Rev. J. J. S. Rumbarger is the pastor.
--The Appleton Daily Post, Appleton, Wisconsin, January 6, 1920, page 3.
FLAMES DRIVE OUT LA CROSSE WORSHIPERS
La Crosse. -- Fire which broke out here Sunday morning in the English Lutheran church drove out several hundred worshipers who fled from the building. No one was injured.
It is thought an overheated chimney caused the fire, which consumed the upper part of the edifice. The interior was badly damaged by water and falling debris.
The Rev. J. J. S. Rumbarger is the pastor.
--The Appleton Daily Post, Appleton, Wisconsin, January 6, 1920, page 3.
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