The Sun.
London, England, 1857-12-17 00:00:00

PUBLIC DISCUSSION ON THE SUNDAY

QUESTION.

A public discussion between the National Sunday
League and the Rev. Robert Maguire, incumbent
of Clerkenwell, on the vexed. Sabbath question,
having been announced by advertisement to take
place yesterday evening at Exeter Hall, long be-
fore the hour appointed for commencing the dis-
cussion, namely, 8 o'clock, all the approaches to
the large hall were choked up with a dense crowd
eager for admission, and by half-past 7 every part
of the room was filled. The meeting was the result
of a challenge given by Mr. Maguire, at a meeting
held a short time since in Clerkenwell, and ac-
cepted by Mr. Langley, vice-president of the Sun-
day League. Strictly speaking, the contest was
between the two gentlemen named, though each
was of course regarded for the occasion as the
champion of his party. Two propositions were
agreed upon as the basis of the discussion, one
for last night . and the other for this evening ;
the affirmative resting on the shoulders of Mr.
Langley, and the negative on those of Mr. Ma-
guire. The first proposition, that which formed
the subject of last night's discussion, was, " That
the opening of the public museums, galleries,
libraries, and gardens, after Divine service on
Sunday mornings, would be in accordance with
the principles of Christian religion." In order
to secure impartiality there were two chairmen,
Mr. Robert Baxter on behalf of , the Maguire
party, and the Rev. Baden Powell on behalf of
the Sunday League. The opposite parties were
also pretty equally represented on the platform.
Two speeches of half au hour's duration were deli-
vered by each of the disputants.
Mr. LANGLEY, in opening the discussion, con-
tended that the Sabbath now observed by Chris-
tians does not rest on the authority of Christ or his
apostles, and referred to Christ's declaration that
" man is not made for the Sabbath but the Sabbath
for man," and others of a similar character, in op-
position to the stringent views of his opponents.
He also maintained that the authority of Genesis
was by no means clear as to the original institu-
tion of the Sabbath ; that the Jewish Sabbath was
purely local and national ; and that there was no
proof of the general observance of the Christian
Sabbath earlier than the second century ; and, in
speaking of the comparative lawfulness of various
acts on Sunday, challenged his opponent to show
what nrral difference there was between a person
boiling a kettle in his own house on Sunday and
his being employed to boil water on a railway, in
order that hundreds of persons might enjoy the
fresh air of the country.
In replying to these views, Mr. MAarmE taunted
his antagonist with not having adhered to his pro-
position, or attempted to show that the opening of
museums, gardens,' &c., on Sunday was "in ac-
cordance with the principles of the Christian reli-
gion." He also demanded what right the League
had to assume any limitation to the hours of divine
service, or confine by implication the observance of
Sunday to the morning, and pointed out that if
Mr. Langley's view were correct, there was no au-
thority whatever for Sunday observance, inasmuch
as it rested neither on the Book of Genesis nor on
the 4th Commandment, which was said to be of
strictly local obligation, nor upon the authority of
Christ and his apostles.
After Mr. Maguire had concluded,
Mr. LANGLEY again spoke, and claimed Luther,
Calvin, Melancthon, Archbishop Whatoly, and
other authorities as supporting his view, the sup-
port of the Archbishop being manifested by the
fact that he is a director of the Zoological-gardens
of Dublin, which are open on Sunday. He also
alluded to Christ's declaration that it is " lawful to
do good on the Sa,blath day," and argued that this
was a justification of the opening of national places
of resort, which have a tendency to enlighten the 1
minds and elevate the tastes of the working
classes.
Mr. MAGUIRE, in reply, cited Paley on the ques-
tion of the lecialityorrion-legalityof different things,
to the effect that the Sabbath being established and
beneficial in its influence, it was the duty of all to
abstain from acts which tended to destroy it as an
institution. As regarded the origin of the Sabbath,
ho remarked with ranch emphasis that the S tbbath is a
fact, and that its existence was traceable to the earliest
periods of the Christian era in corroboration of which
he cited a passage from a letter of Pliny to the
Emperor Trajan ; and admitted the desirableness
of improving the moral and physical condition of
the poor, maintained that he and th9se who agreed
with him had done and were doing more to promote
that object than those who were opposed to them
on the Sunday question.

It having Cecil previously agreed that both gen-
tlemen should speak only twice, occupying half an
hour each time, both these specu!ations were care-
fully adhered to, and the meeting, which com-
menced at eight o'clock, torminited about ten.
The proceedings wore characterised by fairness and
good temper on both sides.

The discussion this evening will have special 10-
ferenco to the moral and social aspects of the ques-
tion.

NARROW ESCAPE OF AN AMERICAN LAKE STEAMER.—
The Chicago Journal gives the following narrative of the
dangerous storm •which overtook the steamer Cleveland
on Like Michigan :—"The steamer left Green Bay on
Tuesday, at 10 a.m., withls passengereand afull freight.
On her waydown she touched at different points, and
took on in all about 60 passengers. Everything wont on
smoothly until about 11 o'clock on Wednesday night,
when the blow struck her. She was at time a short dis-
tance above Milwaukie. The wind and snow raged with
fearful violence, and every wave, as it washed into the
noble craft, seemed bent on.destroying her. Her fires
were put out, and it then seemed that destruction was
inevitable. Captain Fioed, undaunted, however, set
about to bale her out, and passengers and crew, with
one dastard exleption, took hold, and worked four hours
and a half. At the expiration of this time the fires were
rekindled, and steam once more got up, but the files
were soon put out again. The passengers again went to
work with a will and baled until 9 or 10 o'clock, when
steam was once more got up. They headed for shore,
and kept on bailing in the midst of this terrible storm.
About 3 p.m. they espied, much to their gratification
and delight, a chimney, which proved to
.be in Chicago.
At half-past 6 o'clock the steamer rescued her docks.
Once or twice during the gale all hopes of ever readmig
shore were given up,and a list of the passengers on board
was prepared by the captain to throw overboard. Hap-
pily so terrible a calamity was averted. In the midst of
the uuflinching courage displayed on every hand shines
still brighter the courage of a woman who in one of
the passengers, the brighter, as it stands in contrast
with the sheer cowardice of a craven-souled man who
was aboard. The man was a Frenchman, and not an
Englishman, as we stated yesterday. lie absolutely
refused to work, when a woman, which should have
brought a burning blush of shame upon his cheeks if he
was possessed of any manhood, stepped forward and
volunteered to take his place. That woman's name was
Miss E. Wishard, of Milwaukie. The oassengers, how
ever, would not allow her to work. Her noble beha-
viour upon this occasion won for her the admiration
and esteem of every one on board, while the conduct of
the Frenchman provoked just the opposite, and we
should not have blamed the crew had they looked upon
her as a second Jonah aboard their noble oral t.—Ncio
York Times.

LIST OF SCOTTISH COMPANIES' PRICES.
' Dividend Amount
Name of Company. per of Paid. Price.
Annum. Share.
-- -
£ a. d. £ s. 5.
Bank of Scotlaud .. •• 71. per cent. 100 C 0 100 0 0 187/0s
British Linen Company 81. per cent. 100 0 0 100 0 0 21510 s
Caledonian Bank. ..... Si. per cent. 10 0 0 2 10, 031 15s
City of Glasgow Bank 51. per cent. 10 0-0 10 0 0 -1 Os
Clydesdale Bank -•• 53y1. p cent. 20 0 0 10 0 0 111 5s
C minercial Bank .. 71. per cent. 500 0 0 100 0 0 222110
Eastern 8ank........ 61. par cent. 25 0 0 10 0 0 101 5s
Ediub. & Glasgow.... 3%1. p cent. 5 0 5 0 0 41 Is
National Bank ...• •• 616 per cent. 100 0 0 100 0 0 18110 s
Nortbof Scotland Bank 5/.percent 20 0 0 210 051 105
Royal Bank of 8 cot). .. bi. per cent. 100 0 0 100 0 0 137105
Union Bank of Scot... 81. per cent. 100 0 0 50 0 0 751 0
Western 8ank........ 71. per cent. 50 0 0 50 0 0 -1 0
Alliance Fire and We.. 8%1.pr cent. 100 0 0 11 0 0 171 Os
British Guarantee ... 41. por cent. 10 0 II 2 0 0 11 lls
Caledonian Fire Insur • Illt.per cent. 100 0 0 10 0 0 251 Os
City of Glasgow Lite.. 61. per cent. 25 II 0 2 0 0 41 Os
Colonial Lilo ......... 51. per cent. 50 0 0 3 0 071 Os
Edinburgh Life Insur. 61. per cent. 100 0 0 15 0 0 281 Os
Eng. & Scot, Law Life 510er cent. 50 0 0 3 60 41 Is
Life Assoc. of Scotland 61. per cent. 40 0 0 3 0 061 15s
National Fire and Life 61. per cent. 10 0 0 1 4 021 0 s
North British Incur... 71. per cent. 200 0 0 20 0 0 371 Os
Northern Assurance Co. 29 0 0 1 0 0 11 12s
Scottish Provincial .... - 50 0 0 2 0 0 21 175
Scottish Uuton Insrnc. 7%1. pr cent. 20 0 0 1 0 011 145
Standard Life •• •• -•• 51. per cent. 50 0 0 7 0 0 271 55
GAS-LIGHT AND COKE COMPANIES.
Dividend Amount
Paid. Price.
Name of Company. per 1 of
Annum, Share.
-- -
£ s. d. X 1. d.
, -
British Provincial .. •• 71. per cent. 20 0 0 all
Brighton •• .......... 5/. per cent. 20 0 0 - -
CElgtuyitoafblLe ..
0ni.1.0n....
.......... 2/. pe2.
rlcent. 160 0 050 0 I 150
all
-
i 0
- -
11% -
70
Ditto New. - 50 0 0 12 10 6 -
GlEnruiepraoetpr Imperial ••l nn.tir..l. ..
:.
....: ......... Si pppeeerrr cent.
cent. 5020 000 16: -
Ditto
Debentures.. - Stock 100 0 0 200
Do. Continental 1 steep. 31. 59. 50 0 0 42 15 0 -
Do. Do. 2d Cap. 4/. 15s. 50 I 0 41 0 0 -
Do. Do. 3d Cap. 4/. Ills. 50 0 0 43 10 0 -
Do. Do. 4th Cap. 31. 50 0 0 41 0 0 -
Indepensent ......... al. 40 0 0 all -
-
27
London Parl. Preferen. 6/. per cent. 25 0 0 5
47
2 0 0
Phoenix . •...........
liatcllff..... ........
Surrey Consumers ....
5% .spier cnt. 60 0 0
20 0 0 16 0 0
_
81• per cent. 10 0 0 all -
0
United General ...... 16s 05 per sh. 50
00 - _
Westminster Chartered 7 per cent. 50 0 0 - 50
0
Ditto, New ...• •• •• - 50 0 0 10 0
Western A.
10 0 0 4 all
0 0 3
Ditto 11 •• .. ••• • • • ••••
MISCELLANEOVS.
Divido-----------. 'd •-----I°ooti7.---' -----...-----.-
Name of ComPlifir• per of Paid. Price.
Annum. Share.
--- ---___ -..-
4 a. d. 4 a. d.
• • 10 0 0 2 0 0 -
AfricanAcadian Charcoal Iron
20 0 0 10 0 0 -
oi. rer cent. 50 0 0 20 0 0
Auction Mart...... - 214 'per cent 50 0 0 -
Assam
,Setac a.i.n..8 h.. 1 p.. .... , _ . .
-
Australian- 25 0 0 19 0 0 22
81. pr cent. 100 0 0 25 0 0 -
Aastralian Ttrelteul.t.u.r.l
Australian Royal Mall - 10 0 0 all -
Anglo-Mexican Mint.. 11. 10e. 10 0 0 all -
British American Land Si. per cent 50 o 0 40 0 0
........ ~ el. percent 100 0 0 32 10 0 14
Canadap o .5 per.. .
cent Bonds 51. pet cent Stock MO 0 0 -
Ditto, 5 per cent bds si.per cent. Stock 100 0 0 -
Ditto, 6 per cent... 6/. por cent. Stock 100 0 0 -
Ditto, 6p c. bds 1874 41. per cant. Stock 100 0 0 -
Ditto, 6p c. bds 1876 61. per cent. Stock 100 0 0 -
Crystal Palace
Ditto Preference 7l pr. cent. 50 0 50 0 3%
Crys. Palace of France - 4 0 0 all -
City Navigation Bonds 3%1. per cent - - -
;electric Telegraph . • 6/. per cent. Stock. 100 0 0 104
Eng.& Ans. Cop. Smelt. - 5 0 0 all -
Eng.&lris. Slag. T. Co. - 50 0 0 all -
Equitable Reversionry 5/per cent. 100 0 0 100 0 0 -
Date New 5O 0 0 22 10 0 -
-
Gen. Revers. & Invest. 51. p c and 11. 100 0 0 100 0 0 -
Gen. I. Sc. Col. (Lim.) - 25 0 0 all -
Gen.SteamNavigation 10/. per ct. & 15 0 0 14 0 0 -
uLouididsooini,g Gen.hlay()..m..ni.b. u s 15211.. per cent 4 0 0 3%
all
per cent. Stock Stock -
liungerford ...... • • -
Lon. No. &Na. Mauso - 10 0 0 all -_
London Reversionary 5/, per cent. 15 o o .11 -
-
Mex. & S. America!: -
25 10 0 0
Nat. Discount Comp.. -100 00
00 -
N.S.W. Gov.sp.c. Deb. Si. per cent. S
Nor. Bd. 10 0 Australasian 6d. 0017 10 0 -
Northo
of Europe, Stm. Si,el per cent. 0 0
29 0 0 all
, 2
all
02%
Price's Patent Cand. Co - 5 0 0 all
l'eel River.Land&Min. - 79
10
saaolll 0 114
Pen. & Oriental Steam 71. per cent
Ditto New -
21 0 0 -
Reversionary Int. Soc.
Ditto New •• -
Royal Mail Steam
r cent. 1 0 0 all i 1%
41, p. share. 100 0 0 6C 0 0 55
]
Scottish Ails. Invest. 151. per
t 25 0 0 all
per
1161. pr ct 1104*01 00430 0000
32%
pr cent. 20 0
00
2,5
100
00 -9
TrustS o u t h
atuds tr a
Loanl l a nc Land
ornp. 1%1. , .
Vaa Diemen's Land.• 105. 100 0
Do. 6 per cent. Bonds 6 per cent ,