Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1829-03-03

DAYS TO De esnploycu III scSuia' te's~''ss 49,
on. 10 be observed as a day Of sacred rest
Christ, who was Lord Of the Sabbath, had
RICH, to make the change, and It was made ny
his inspired Apostles; and their p'acties on this
subject, has Influenced the prac,iceofnearly The
whole christian world, down to the present time.
These remarks nigh: be very much extended
If we had time; but the question now before us
does not require the discussion Of this subject;
and all have hitherto said, has been intended
merely to correct mistake in the communica'
ton of Madison. The views Of Christians, on
this subject, have been very much mistaken,
and they have much reason to complain OF the
injustice done to them. They would depre-
CAFE religious despotism, or even religious
establishment liz this country, as one OF the
gre ates, evils which the Church OF Christ could
suffer; and for any man TO impute to them
desire for such thing, amounts TO a SANDER.
As patriots, however, they wish to see the sP'-
rit Of Christianity so far influence our political
institutions, as 10 make these institutions most
subservien, to the great ends for which they
have been adopted. They know chat, without
morality and intelligence, our liberties would
not long be enjoyed; and they know that Chris
,iani,y promotes morality and inte lligenee.-
The right observance Of the Sabbath has been
found, by experience, to be highly favorable %
both these objects, and is is on this account
tina, the obligation OF observing that day as c
day Of sacred rest, has been recognized by civil
governments in all Christian countries. Our
country does not form an exception to this
fact.-The General Government have recog'
nized it; the Legislature of Virginia have re-
coenized it. The law. of Virgi mia, which ex-
tend TO Alrxandlia, prohibit all secular busi-
ness on the Sabbath, except works Of necessity
and mercy. They have gone sill further IN
the exercise of religious despoiism: For exam
pie, IF any tavern keeper shall, in his house,
suffer any person to tipple or drink more than
is necessary on the Lords day, or any other day
Sc, apart by public authority for religious wor-
ship, he shall be deprived OF his license by the
eour,! Further: by an act, passed in l7o5, re.
enacted in the years l7s5, 1872, aud 1919: in
flict. penalty Of 81 67 cents upon any person
who shall himself be found laboring at his own.
or any other Il ade, or calling; or shall employ
his servants, apprentices, or slaves, in labor, on
other business except in the ordinary household
offices Of daily necessi,yaor other work Of neces
| si,y or charity. The same law intlicts punish.
men, for disturbing religious congregation -
| andria authorises the Council to enact laws for
the regulation Of the morals of the community,
Accordingly, all stores and shops are shut up
on the Sabbath, aud the police cons,ables are
in the habit Of walking through The town to
preserve order. The negroes who come to
town on the Sabbath, are compelled 10 leave i,
by certain hours. is all this religious despot-
ism! Is il any thing more Than a wise police
regulation! ON THIS GROUND, ALONE, chris
tians wish to see the Sabbath Markets sup.
pressed. They think i, is mex pedient in po>
itical poin, of view, and, on that account aud not
because the Sabbath is a religious institution,
they wish the Council TO put stop TO this
nuisance. AS 10 the effect which thi. measure
would have upon the eoloured population, ma
ny would differ widely from Madison. If the
Sabbath Markets were suppressed, they would
have, al least, one motive to dishonesty taken
from them; but, surely, this ought not to BIZ
viewed as a hardship. Some think it proba.
BILE, that the unfortunate man who got killed
short time ago, on Saturday night, in an at
tempt TO rob nen.roost or a smoke house,
might have been alive now, if the Sabbath
Marke, had no, presented a temptstion to the
act he was committing. And the best friends
of the poor slaves would rejoice to to see this
change in our 2olice, because they are seriously
injured by their habits of drinking, and other
vices, into which they are allured when they
come to town on the Sabbath. The advantage
to the poorer classes Of our white community
would also be great. The Sabbath morning is
q time of leisure with them, and when they go
to market, they have good opportunity of viz
sitipo The ,innlino chime whore anv nerbane