The National Register.
London, England, 1816-03-24 00:00:00

No. 429.—V0r.. VIII.

kunbiap 2ElllllOcmcitt,:l.
TILE OBSERPATION OF TIIE SABBATH.

ABSTINENCE from secular employment is the first
p. rt of the duty enjoined on the Sablrath,---attcntion to
the exercises of religion, and to moral cultivation of the
tatind, is the second obe:limee to the firmer, is necessary
to the due pertiommice of the latter; and when they go
hand in hand, this sacred institution tnlfils all its objects.
Salutary refreshment from bodily toil, and rapid progress
in mental improvement would thus become the beneficial
fruits of the same politic and benevolent arrangements._
The allotment of so large a portion of our time as the
seventh to rest, and the appointment of regular instruc-
tors at proper distances, to expound to the assembled
people their dutici to open their understandings,
or to lead their devotions; leave nothing either to be
devised, o: desired for ameliorating the physical condi-
tions of tiv labouring classes, or exalting their intellec-
tual capacities. Accurdingly, where the observation of
the Sabbath approximates most to the injunctions of
scripture! and the practice of the first christians, the
people are always thund the most regular in their habits,
the most improved in their understandings, and the most
prudent in their conduct. An appeal on this subject
need only be made to the inhabitants of Scnt'an 1, of
Switzerland, and Holland. A scale exhibiting the
gmlations of intelligence, of moral cultivation, and of
relitions attainment, discoverable viliong the lower orders
of different countries, might almost, with tolerable accu-
racy, be drawn up from an attentive observation of the
mode in which they respectively fulfil the duties of
Sunday. The experiment may be tried very successfully,
we are convinced, with respeLt to our own empire, thc.
nations of the continent, and the States of America. It
is almost unnecessary to add, that the rule cannot be ex-
pected to apply universally, excepting to the lower orders

cotton in m their youth, and who have access to books or
(Oat. sources of knowledge during almost every day of
their lives, ioe not so dependent upon this institution;
but the labouring and less affluent orders, who have
almost no 'cisme excepting on the Sabbath for acquiring
moral iastruction, and no teachers but the clergy, if they
impiously crime= the provision made fbr their benefits
in this appointment of their religion, or negligently fail
to take advantage of them, are likely to remain in hope-
lo ss ignorance, or to advance in unchecked depravity.
The breach of the Sabbath is with them not a solitary
crime. Its thrgetfulness is with them not an ouiission of
duty, the effects of which can 'Le soon repaired, the con-
sequences of which can be easily limited. Sabbath
breaking in their situation, is bath ti test of the commence-
ment of certain irreligious and criminal habits, and a
prognostic of others; it both indicates that they have
made advances into the regions of vice, and that they
have cut the best fintmled hopes of their return. In-short,
it is equivalent to the extinction of the best guard of the
morals and religion of humble life, it is a renunciation
of the antidote when the principles of action arc poisoned.
Accordingly, we find that those unworthy members of
:.:;ciety Who have been led on from one degree of wicked-
b.ss to another, till they have rendered themselves the
victims of criminal jnytice, lament, in their confessions,
their contempt of the duties and employments of Sunday
as the first and most heinous of their offences. All re-
ligious obligation, all serious reflection, all moral amend.
ment, UR progress in piety and virtue anumg the lower
orders, arc in this country identified with the punctual ob..
servance of the thurtit eminnanament. When we see it,
then bee, neglected by them, we may consider the neg-
lect as a symptm o`. general corruption, and may infer
that those who abuse the rest which the hoc allows
them for strengthening the:r principles, fiar improving
their hearts, and acquiring the knowledge of the truths
of christianity, are not likely to secure any other less
favourable opportunities for accomplishing these grout
purposes.
While we show the importance of attending to the
duties of the Saidstth, we do not mean to represent it us
a sea.:en of unreiax;sl seriousness, or to recommend its oh-
foCrYWIL!CS a; a syaem of gloomy restraint. Nothing can
be more "oriel than the manner in which it has been
hallowed by 4ilti.rent nations, and in different me es; but
the true mcii:nn between licentious freedom, and ex-
cessive strictness, has, we believe, s.!idom been found.
To work on the seventh day, was with the Jews a tar& I