American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1844-11-28


of all intelligent and consistent patriots; and
the continuance and legitimate operation OF
those institutions will depend in no small de-
gree upon the manner in which the people OF
this country shall meet the responsibilities and
discharge the duties ofthe sacred day.
Resolved, That the increasing conviction
which is manifested in various parts OF our
country ofthe duty and utility of remembering
Che Sabbath and keeping 1t holy, the conse-
qnen( discrimination Of secular business and
the increase of the numbers VINO assemble to
acknowledge the Author of the blessings, are,
in our view, tokens for good tO the country, and
ought to encourage all to give to the observance
Of this day, the sanction Of their habltual exam
u!e.
Resolved, That we witness with great plea
sure the influence which many Editors, not on
~ of religious but the secular press Of our coun-
try, are eXe-ting in favor of the Lords Day,
and trust that their labor5 will he duly dppre-
Grated by the paitiotic OF all classes, and meet
a generous response from the hearts Of the
people.
The resolutions were read through for nior-
nation. On motion il was decded that they
should be taken up anG read separately for the
action CT the Convention. The clerk accord
ingly read the first resolution; and upon the
chair rising TO take the sense of the C0nYention
in reference to it, Mr.. Richard Lennon, Of this
city, submitted proposition that the rosolu-
tlous be rccemmitteG, with instructions to sub
sttute the term Lords Day." instead Of
Sabbath" This motion gave rise TO consId-s
cradle debate; Mecsrs. Lennon and Magru9
der Of Va, advocated the motion, upon the
ground that the term used i'll the resolution
commended the keeping of the seventh day, or
jewish Sabbath, the day upon which :he Gre
ator Of all things finished his labor; while the
term 'Lord's Day." as proposed to be substI-
tutcd, recognized the first day 70 be kept holy,
liz commemoraton of the birth Of Christ The
proposition was opposed by hieSsrs Chambers
and Blainard, Of Pa, Edwards, of N. Y, Child
aud Heely OF tkis city, and Main, who assum-
cd the position that the Convention had not
been called for the purpose of discussing the
merits or dement's of the question whether the
present Sabbath should be abolished or not,
but simply to devise such means as would most
likely secure more general observance OF the
day commonly recognized as the Sabbath
| The discussion was continued up to The hour
for taking recess, one O'clock, when the
Convention was dismissed.
AFTERooE.
The Convention met again at 8 O'clock, and
opened by prayer, by the Rev. DR.. Mott, of n.
York.
| The question pending, being upon the pro-
/ position to racommit, after few remarks from
DR.. Hill, OF Va, it was laid upon the table
I The original resolution, as submitted by the
committee, was then adopted.
! The remaining resolutions were also adopted,
without debate After the fifth resolution was
read, however, Messrs. Powell, Edwards, Still
man, Williamson, and Longmire, gave some
! highly interesting statements in reference to
what they knew Of the suspension Of opera
toEs among railroad, canal, and stage ccmpa-
MICS, on the Sabbath; Of the disoontinuanco of
merchants in shipping on that day; of vessels
declining &c leave port; and Of the wonderful
change III public opinion, in the States OF tenn-
sylvania and New York, in favor of suspend
| ing all similar operations on that Gay.
The Standing Committee then reported the
following, Us the seventh resolution:
| Resolved, That in free country, where
general intelligence and virtue, are essential to
the purity and permanence of civil institutions
the observance Of the Sabbath is peculiarly a,e-
cesscgy, in order to secure that respect for the
laws, which is essential 70 public tranquility,
on which the safety of property, and character,
and life, and the appropriate enjoyment aGd
uGe &C the blessings depend.
Upon the reading of this resolution, Mr. K.
Lennon, (who had Just come into the con.
vention,) rose, and renewed his opposition to
the Rhraseology of the resolution,in recogniz-
! ing the Jewish Sabbath as the proper day tc
observe Christian rights. He was replied to by
Messrs. Atwood, Edwards, and others. MIR.
Magruder, of Va, next got the floor, and
spoke in opposition to the term Sabbath, as
used in the resolution, declaring that Che scrip
lures gave no power to enforce its observance
as established under the Jewish dispensation.-
Mr.. M. having remarked that if he was affor-
ded time, he could shew that ''it is a natural
impossibility for the Christian world 60 keep
the Sabbath;" some evident tokens o. disap-
probation to the sentiment was manifested
throughout the convention.
Mr.. Campbell of Pa, arose, amid some con-
fusion, and advocated the resolution.
DIR. Thos. L. Bond, of this city, said he was
Of opinion that the Convention had not met to
discuss any theological question, or to settle
any difference of opinion which might have
agtated Christian communities, in reference to
the proper day to be kept holy; but to do all
in its power to preserve more sacrcdIy the Sab
bath, as generally recognized. Therefore, to
prevent any further discussion, he moved the
previous question.
The chairman lion John @. Adams,) rose
and SAID he desired TO state why he had not
called the gentlemen to order who had SO ar
Gently pressed their claims to force their espe-
cal views before the Convention. The gen. 1
tiemen had used no INDIGENOUS language, |
though their opinions were, he had thought, at
variance with tho great body of the Conven-
tioR; but feeling no disposition to deprive them
of the most free and full discussion of the
question, he had permitted them to proceed.
The question was taken upon the resolution,
and it was adopted.
The Convention then took recess from s
until o'clock.
EVENING SESSION.
The convention was called to order by the |
pres;deut at I O'Clock PRAYER bv the Rev, Dr. !