Cheraw gazette. [volume] (Cheraw, S.C.) 1835-1838, 1836-10-18

| within the knowledge of the wri:er, desecra'
ted by the perusal Of newspapers, novels
and plays.
Now we ask, whence has come this change
this relaxation of good order-thls toIe-
ration ofmockery in our sanctuaries Is it
attributable to diminished ministerial lnflu-
ence and authority? Grant it. But whence
that diminution Are ministers less res
pectable now than formerly? Are they less
holy and devoted? Are they more ready TO
sanction light and irreverent conduct in the
house of God
Who will pretend it? Yet the truth is
and melancholy truth-that ministers have
no such influence, no such authority, as in
the DAYS of the "olden time." And for our
selves, we trace their loss, among other cau-
ses. to parents themselves.
Who believes not that it is in the power
of the parents and guardians ofany town in
the land, to introduce and establish the
above custom in single month ? Suppose
a minister was assured Of the countenance
and support ofthe parents and guardians OF
his flock il reviving the practlce-would he
hesitate? And might not similar happy re-
suits be anticipated! Had the mothers of
the land the frmness-and let me add, the
kindness ofthe mother of fCharles-especlal-
ly supported by fathers, would our church
es be so often protanedas they are! But
in the present state of society-wlth the
pride which prevails, what clergyman might
not expect dismission, who should summon
by name child of q parishioner in the pres
ence of the audience to his house, to an
swer for his conduct!
| have hinted above that the custom OBJ
served at -- might be revived; but
whether this would be expedient, in the pres
ent state of society, might be questioned.
There is another, and It's believed, still
better remedy for the evil complained OF.
1t is TO bring your children from the gallery
and TO seat them in your peacs Uith your-
selces. This is an effectual preventure to
all mischief and irregularity besides, show
decent and how wise" lorparents and chill.
dren to sit together at the feet Of Jesus-the
former, by their serious department and at
attention, to show the latter in what estma'
ton they regard the Sabbath, the sanctu-
ary, and the truth Of God.
But not in the sanctuary only is the Sab.
bath to be honored. If no: properly obser-
vedin the family, it can never be thus ohser,
we'd. Irreyerence at home will be carried
abroad.
That the proclamation ofthe Sabbath Is a
growing evil in all the land, is too apparent
to be disputed. But few weeks since 1t
was stated in one ofthe papers of the city
of New York, that probably not less than
$4,000 citizens are abroad every Sabbath
on excursions of pleasure and relaxation
and tine editor expressed his qualification at
the fact, adding that he believed 1t lawful
after refreshing the mind in Church, to pay
attention to the comfort and relaxation OF
"the outer man." Has it then come to this!
Our public papers the open and avowed ad.
vocates of desecration Of the Sabbath
encouraging licentiousness and immortality!
smiling upon monsrous and widespread
perversion of holy institution of God!
With such facts before the friends Of or
der and religion, they may we'll be alarmed
1t is time to awake, and lift up Standard
':to arrest, if possible, this growing evil, OF OF
the entire oblileration of the Sabbath will
at no distant day, be the result"