SUNDAY OBSERVANCE.

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

SUNDAY OBSERVANCE.

A meeting of gentlemen opposed to the opening on Sundays of the Fublio Library in Christchurch was held in tho rooms of the Young Men's Christian Association yesterday afternoon. There were over fifty persons present; Mr J. H. Twentyman in the chair. Among those in attendance were Bis Worship the Mayor of Christchurch, the Eev. Mr Buller, the Bev. Mr Elmslie, Bov. Mr Williams, the Bev. Mr Bcid and other clergymen, Mr Geo. Booth, Dr. Bussell, Mr Jameson, Mr Farr and other well-known citizens.

The proceedings were opened by the Her. Mr Buller with prayer. The Chairman read the advertisement calling the meeting, and explained why he had taken a prominent part in the present movement and what he had done in the matter. He had written to the Board of Governors of the College and to the Ministers' Association, with the object of obtaining their sympathy. He might state that no suoh body as a Sunday Observance League existed at present in Christchurch, but a very large number of persons in Christchurch were anxious for the preservation of a due observance of the Lard's Day, and to guard against any infringement of its sanctity. Those who wore taking a prominent part in the present movement were not desirous of thrusting Sabbatarian views down the throats of any men, nor were they disposed to advocate the making of church attendance compulsory, but they did wish to preserve the Sabbath as a day of reet. He then called upon Mr Elmelie. The Bev. Mr Klmelio said he would presently read a memorial drawn up on the subject they had met to discuss. Before doing so he would make a few remarks explanatory of his own views. In the first place, he believed that the opening of the Library would be opening the door to secularising the Lord's Day, which was regarded as a divine institution; in the second place, he did not believe it was called for ; he also denied that the proposal which had been made would if carried into effect promote the study of high class literature. Moreover, he contended that a highly important prinoiplef rom thestandpoint of political economy was involved in the matter—namely, the greatest possible good to the greatest possible numbers, and that could only be secured by the recognition of the Divine authority of the Christian Sabbath. Mr Elmelie concluded by moving the adoption of the memorial to which he had re-

ferred. Mr Farr seconded the motion,

Dr. Russell suggested, in view of the vast importance of the subject, that a public meeting should be called to consider the matter, as any suggestions made therefrom would have a greater amount of weight.

The Chairman pointed out that the memorial could be adopted now, and a public meeting could be held afterwards. The object at present was to lose no time, seeing that the Board of Governors would meet on the 28th of the present month. Dr. Busseil agreed to withdraw his suggestion for the present in view of the short time at tbeir disposal. The different clauses of the memorial were considered seriatim, and discussed. The Bey. Mr Williams remarked that the meeting might be considered as one of a representative character, and he believed, therefore, that the great body of the citizens were averse to the proposal to open the library. With regard to the suggested public meeting, he might point out that if it should be found that the action of this meetiDg had no effect upon the authorities, a public meeting could then be held, and an earnest well sustained effort made to carry their object.

The Rev. Mr Elmslie remarked that in the request contained in the memorial there was no interference either intended or to be feared. It was a question of the liberty of the community generally, and whilst he personally felt disposed to allow all men—even to the free-thinker—perfect liberty to enjoy their views, lie foresaw that in legislating for the public they could not reoognise anything but the general well-being—that is to say, they could nol —on suoh a subjeot, at least, as this under consideration—legislate to meet the views of the minority at the expense of the majority.

A good deal of discussion took place on the last clause of the report, with special reference to that portion of it which dealt with the logical consequences of the disregard of the divine authority of the Lord's Day. Eventually it was agreed to re-draft the clause, and eliminate the part referred to. The memorial was ultimately adopted in the following form:— To the Governors of the Canterbury College. This petition humbly sheweth—That your memorialists have heard with deep regret that a proposal has been made by certain members of your Board to throw open the Public Library in this city on the Lord's Day. Your memorialists are humbly of opinion that the public observance of the Lord's Day as a Christian Sabbath is condncive to the highest welfare of the community, and that the opening of the Publio Library as proposed would to some extent interfere with the observance of that day. They are further of opinion that the opening of the said Library is not only not called for, but would be a thing at variance with the wishes of the great body of the citizens of Christchurch, and that for this reason alone the proposal which has been made should not be carried into effect. Your memorialists would further solicit attention to the fact that recent intelligence from England shows that the opening of mußeums and similar institutions in that country has been followed by most unsatisfactory results, and that, in the opinion of many, the opening of the Museum in this city has not served the purpose for which the step was ostensibly taken. In the light of these facts, they are forced to believe that the opening of the Public Library on the Lord's Day, even were it a thing both lawful and acceptable to the general public, would not in any degree promote the btudy of high-class literatnre. Your memorialists disavow all feelings of intolerance towards those who differ from them in opinion, but they humbly submit that the opening of the Public Library on Sundays involves a great principle which the wisest of lesislatorß have almost invariably recognised—that namely in which they seek the greatest possible good of the greatest possible number of the people. That principle they believe to be involved in the public recognition of the Christian Sabbath, and they most respectfully request that the Governors of Canterbury College should not in the present instance set that principle aside. Your memorialists in conclusion desire further to submit that the carrying rut of this proposal will of necessity ba prejudicial to the interests of those now employed us attendants at the Library. The next business was the question of oigning the memorial, and arrangements having been made for satisfactorily attending to that, as well as the presentation of the memorial to the Board of Governors, A vote of thanks was passed to the chairman, and the meeting dispersed.