Respect The Sabbath
July 21, 1888Sunday Games of Base Ball Should Not be Played in Our City.
Most of our people do not approve of Sunday base ball games, and regard the action of the management of the club instituting Sunday games as reprehensible. It certainly is out of order, and the club will gain nothing permanently by such a departure from what the orthodox people would regards as right.
There is no standpoint from which this subject can be regarded that will justify this departure from obedience to the Divine injunction’ Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy.
Sunday games of base ball are suitable for every reason.
If the management concluded to play Sunday games becasue they hope to realize financial benefit out of it to enable them to meet pecuniary obligations the end will not justify the means there is no more justification for playing base ball on Sunday for the sake of earnings that may accrue, than their is for workmen to pursue avocations in the workshops for a similar purpose.
If the Sunday games are inaugurated for the sake of amusement, it is equally reprehensible with open theatres and music halls on Sundays. How many of our citizens would endorse keeping open a theatre on Sunday or would attend a circus on that day. Very, very few Yet if base ball games are played on Sunday simply for the purpose of amusement, the difference is only in degree and not in kind.
Nothing can be urged in justification of Sunday base ball. It is wrong from every standpoint. It is an violation of Sempiternal Injunctions, it is contrary to the precepts of fond fathers and proud mothers it is contrary to the early teachings of youth, it is demoralizing upon the boys and youths now approaching manhood.
We adjure the management of the Lama Base Ball Association to refrain from Sunday base ball game. Do not ruthlessly trample under foot all those sacred teachings of early days regarding the sanctity of the Sabbath day. It is a sacred day a day of rest and should not be desecrated by being made a day of labor nor a day of infamous amusement.
source: The Lima Daily Democratic Times.
location: Lima, Ohio
