THE SUNDAY OBSERVANCE

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2182, 22 February 1881, Page 3

THE SUNDAY OBSERVANCE

QUESTION. To the Editor of the Glooe. Sib, —Now that those very respectable " unoo" guid" old ladies have had their innings anent what they are pleased to call the public observance of the Lord's Day, and have resolved, when petitioning tho governors of the Contorbnry College, against their proposal to open the reading-room and reference library on that day, it is high time some action were taken by the more liberal-minded part of tho community to move in tho opposite direction. I notice Mr Hall, of Sydenham, apparently with a feeling of indignation, proposes to head a party with the object of starting Sunday amusements, &c. Now, sir, I am as much opposed as anyono to making our Christian Sabbath like unto a Continental one, but I do protest most emphatically, on tho other hand, against puritanical bigotry and Sootch Sabbatarianism. If wo are really in earnest to improve tho understandings and taites of the people, by all means let ub have our Museum and Public Libraries open every day in tho week. It is no uso denying tho fact, there ore thousands oE hardy sons of toil who have no chanco of ■eeing the Musoum or Public Library except on a Sunday or holiday. It is ulso equally true, there are grout, numbers of people who cannot, and will not, be drawn to liston to tho preachers at tho various chuTches, for reasons which it is not neceaßary to mention here, thorefore, is it not wise to try and induce such persons to visit the other public institutions where they cannot possibly got any harm, but may obtuin much good. Surely the tendency of tho age is in this direction, and it will be a most lamentable thing if the Board of Governors should be so ill-advised, as to linfen for one moment to those who appear to have no sympathy for the large and ever-increasing number of men, who desire to obtain knowledge even if it is on the Lord'* D*j.

( I I trust, sir, you and others will not allow this matter to rest, but continue to agitate for what belongs to the people, namely, free access every day in the week at all reasonable hours to those institutions which are sup- » ported and kept up by the monies of the > ] people. ' ° U A SUBSCRIBER TO THE LIBRARY.