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Show FOR SUNDAY REST. WorUingmen of Allegheny county. Pa., have inaugurated in-augurated a Sunday-rest movement; On Juno , according to the Christian Union Herald (Pitt I burg), a petition was sent to S0O '(inns and individuals indi-viduals in that county praying them to avoid all titi-j titi-j necessary Sabbath toil. This movement, it is as-I as-I sorted, originated with -the 'workmen, "who found i themselves being more and more compelled to toil " seven days, and under their deepening sense of bondage they turned to the churches for aid in their efforts to find relief." It is a fact to which every pastor can bear testimony, says the Christian I nb-ii Herald, "that multitudes are so enslaved by the demands de-mands of employers .that they have no time in which to worship God in his sanctuary." Sympathy With the movement is not wanting, as the further account ac-count shows : ' "Catholics and Protestants have joined bauds in one earnest effort on behalf ..of 'those who are thus deprive!! of God-given rights. A conference wis held at jwhich Bishop Canevin of the Koman-Catho-lic cbuiV'b. presided, which resulted in the organization, organiza-tion, of l;e 'Sunday-Rest Association' of Allegheny eounly. It !ms been indorsed by almost-.every or-' or-' '"anizaj.jr.if'Tjial has to'VIo' witlutlu; religious, mpral . civic, or? industrial welfare of the people. - 'About 40 religious organizations, with a constituency of -almost half a million, about 100 societies end brotherhoods, broth-erhoods, the Piltsburg chamber of commerce, and thirty labor organizations, which enroll thousands of, members, have given it their indorsement." . The petition expresses the belief of its signers that they "are performing a most important re-I re-I ligious and patriotic service and acting in a matter , fraught Vith tremendous consequences to this eom-i eom-i munity and even the whole country." They declare that, they "are deeply impressed with the profound concern of the people of this community on the question at issue; a concern intensified by the menace me-nace of .the increasing disregard not only for the Sunday law. but, growing out of this and encouraged encour-aged by if. a disregard for all law by means of the breaking down of moral conviction and the embittering embit-tering of those whose rights to the rest day are needlessly denied them.' In further pressing the petition the committee says to those to whoiri it is addressed: N " '. "In makinglhis plea we are persuaded that we are not antagonizing the interests of employers, as it is a well-founded conviction" that all employers of labor will in the long run profit financially by a strict observance of the divinely ordained rest period of one day in seven, while the social, moral, industrial indus-trial and religious interests of all the people will be greatly promoted and strengthened. "Your petitioners may fairly claim to represent the sentiment of Allegheny county; for within the few weeks since this movement was inaugurated there has been a spontaneous response in its favor, so that it is entirely within the facts to say to you that it is approved and demanded by all who have at heart human well-being and the rights and inter-, e.sts of the whole people as well as of the toiling masses. . "Standing as we therefore do on the law of God and the law of this commonwealth, re-enforeed by the sentiment of the entire community, we have reason to believe that this appeal will meet with favor from those interested, as you are. with us in the public welfare, and we submit it to you anil beg our prompt and friendly consideration and ac-lm." ac-lm." Coincident with this movement is an effort, made by the Protestant Episcopal church, to bring about a condition in part similar to that effected in France last year by national legislation. At the convention of the diocese of Maryland assembled at Baltimore. May 29-30. resolutions were passed to the effect "that the members of this convention exert their influence to persuade all corporations and other employers of labor to reduce to the lowest low-est possible point of necessity all secular work on Sundays; and to see that all persons necessarily employed em-ployed on that day be given some other one day in every seven for a day of rest." The resolutions further fur-ther provide "that a committee of three be appoint-erT appoint-erT by the bishop, whose duty shall be to make known these resolutions to all employers of labor and their employers, as fir as possible bv direct communica-tlo'iu communica-tlo'iu and also through the public press, pud that they especially so make them known to all corporations corpo-rations in the -.securities tf which this-convention is, interested." - |
