The Sunday Agitation

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 18, 1876

FromThe Review and Herald, Review and Herald, Vol. 47, No. 20.

The Sunday Agitation.

The issue on the Sunday question is evidently approaching faster than many are aware; and the indications now are that not the least noticeable result of the great Centennial Exhibition will be to create a wide-spread agitation upon this subject. The commissioners have decided to close the buildings and grounds on Sundays. But the feeling of opposition to this decision is so strong that the subject is not likely to be left to rest in peace. We shall see how long they will be able to stand up against the pressure.

The following paragraphs are worthy of notice, the first from the Christian Intelligencer, the second from The Methodist, of May 13, 1876. If, as the Methodist states, the religious people of this country have made such an issue of this question that multitudes would not attend this great Centennial Exhibition at all, if it should be opened on Sunday, it shows how deep is the current of feeling that already exists on this

question, and gives an indication of what we may expect as the agitation shall increase.

The Christian Intelligencer says:—

“We are happy to state that there was the most distinct and positive avowal by leading men in the discussion, of the necessity of respecting and observing our American Christian Sabbath, according to the commandment of God, the laws of men, and the prevailing usage of our moral and Christian communities. The high moral tone of debate and the unanimity with which the final decision was arrived at, are the more significant because nearly all of the commissioners were present, each one representing a State of the Union, and expressing in unequivocal terms the national sentiment on the subject of Sabbath observance.”

The Methodist says:—

“The anti-Sunday people are still fretting about the Centennial. They now urge that the enterprise will go to bankruptcy if closed on Sunday. The argument is a curious one. During the preparation, 150,000 people have been on the grounds during Sunday. These people would all go every Sunday during the exhibition and pay the admission fee. The managers are not fools, we suppose, and that logic will hardly pass muster with them. We conjecture that about 150,000 people may be kept out by Sunday closing; this is a high figure. On the other hand, the anti-Sunday folks may as well understand that if that test is to be applied there is another side to it. As many people would stay away altogether from a National Exhibition open on Sundays. The religious people of this country have made an issue on this question, and will not be trifled with.”