BALTIMORE SUNDAY CLOSING CRUSADE.
By K. C. Russell
The Baltimore Sunday closing crusade, which has been in progress for several weeks, is doubtless the most radical of any that has been entered upon in modern times. The chief promoters of the movement were the clergy of the city, which is usually the case, the Methodists taking the lead. Baltimore's new mayor, being a Methodist, and a strong advocate of the Sunday laws, gave the ministers much encouragement in their efforts for Sunday closing. After besieging the police commissioners, they finally succeeded in getting them to carry out their wishes by enforcing Maryland's Sunday law, which is known as the "Old Sunday Blue Law" of 1723. So, in response to the demand of the ministers, the police department proceeded to enforce the law almost to the letter, Sunday, January 28. There were nine hundred policemen on the force that Sunday, and the result was that nearly four hundred violations of the law were reported. Tobacco stores, confectioneries, and even the drug stores were closed. They, however, permitted the street cars to run, and the newsboys to sell their papers. It is thought that the law was thus rigidly enforced by the police in order to bring the old obsolete Sunday blue law into as much contempt as possible with the inhabitants of the city; and there is no doubt that this was the effect produced on many. Even the ministers were sorry that the enforcement was made so rigid to start with, when they saw the effect. Following this the press of the city was open to the citizens, and many pleaded for what they called a "sensible Sunday."12The result of all this was the introduction of a bill into the Maryland Legislature by Representative Sanford for the purpose of modifying the old law. The bill was reported favorably by the judiciary committee. This aroused the ministers, and a special hearing was called, which took place in the House, February 27; but previously to this hearing there were mass meetings held in different churches, for the purpose of opposing the bill, and calling for volunteers to attend the hearing. The promoters of the Sanford bill calling for the modification of the law, while believing in the wicked principle of legislating on the Sunday question, the same as do the other side, ask for more liberal provision in harmony with the "spirit of the times." The demand for the modification was prompted by largely the same spirit of selfishness that lies at the foundation of all Sunday laws; hence there was no possibility of our sympathizing with those who were working for the modification of the law, as they were just as far from the true principle as was the other side. It was simply a dispute over what things should, and what should not, be permitted. One speaker, at a mass meeting that was held for the purpose of opposing the modification bill, spoke in defense of the Sunday "blue law," to the effect that under the influence of that law had come the men who had been the stability of our country. To learn what kind of men that law would produce one needs only to read the history of the times when those laws were in full force. A man with "Rev." attached to his name, who would like to see innocent women stripped naked "from the middle upward," tied to a cart's tail, and unmercifully whipped through different towns, for their religious faith, is a sample of the kind of men who, we were told, have made our country what it is. How deluded a man must be who has such a conception of the forefathers of our country! I maintain that the men who brought to us the legacy of prosperity and progress are men like Roger Williams, men who protested against "blue laws" and the intolerant spirit of the age in which they lived. The arguments to convince the people at these mass meetings were largely the same as are usually advanced on such occasions; namely, "civil sabbath" and the necessity of physical rest one day in seven, etc., etc. The advocates of the modification of the "blue laws," and the opponents of this measure, who attended the hearing of the Sanford bill at Annapolis, Md., February 27, filled ten cars. Brother D. W. Reavis, who has had much experience in connection with such work, said that it was the most heated hearing that he had ever witnessed. When there was a point scored on either side, it was applauded by the respective adherents with an enthusiasm that would equal a political speech pending a presidential campaign. To see those who claim to be ministers of the gospel leave him who is Lord of the Sabbath, him in whom is all power in heaven and in earth, and appeal to the puny arm of the state for that which it has no rightful authority to give, is enough to cause one to blush for shame. The proposed bill was finally laid on the table; but it is thought that there will be another bill introduced, which will be local, applying only to Baltimore, asking for a modification of the old law. It is expected that this will provoke the Baltimore clergy to renew their fight for Sunday legislation. In addition to this, there is also a bill before the Senate asking for an exemption clause for those who observe another day of the week. This bill was reported unfavorably, but was made the special order for Tuesday, March 6. This agitation has afforded an excellent opportunity to present the principles of religious liberty as it is in Christ. I have delivered two lectures setting forth the principles of the gospel on the question, and endeavoring to show the inconsistency of the arguments that are advanced in favor of Sunday legislation. Two of the leading dailies published a synopsis of the lectures. A large amount of literature has been distributed, which was supplied without delay by the International Religious Liberty Association. If there was ever a time when this association should be sustained in its noble work, it is now. This work demands our immediate attention for two reasons: First, the great need of instructing the public who are so completely devoid of a knowledge of the real principles that underlie all Sunday legislation; and secondly, the dispatch with which this literature must be distributed when an issue is sprung quickly. Brother Reavis has rendered valuable service in getting before our State legislators important reading-matter, and also in visiting lawyers in Baltimore. May the Lord hold in check the enforcement of these oppressive measures until the honest are warned.
K. C. RUSSELL.