The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1844-08-08


been published, and similar meeting cf ultra re-
lgious reformers is 10 assemble in Saratoga in the
course OF a few weeks. Every season number Of
these Conventions are held in different sections
OF the country, and great fuss is made in the
liglous newspapers about them, and their Jealous
efforts for the promotion OF the sanctifcatlon Of
the Sabbath.
II is very melancholy 10 observe the man.
ner in which the benevolent institutions OF
christianity have been perverted BY spurious
zeal. Few OF these institutions appear to be
more misunderstood and abused than the Sabbath.
II very mistaken notion indeed, TO suppose that
the bensficent founder Of our faith intended the
greater portion OF this day TO be spent in the pubic
exercises Of devotion, and the doctrine that all
rational or innocent recreation and amusement
was to be prohibited, is an insult to Him who adj
ministered such pointed rebuke to the hypocrlti-
cal and canting Pharisees, who accused him OF
proclamation Of the holy day by healing the sick.
The Sabbath was intended as day Of rest-of en-
joymeni-of social ntercourse-of the interchange
of Offices OF kindness amongst relatives and friends,
who may not have opportunities OF meeting on the
other days OF the week. To the inhabitants OF
crowded cities, the Sabbath is an inestmable boon.
On that day they resort 10 the great temple of
nature, and in the contemplation and enjoyment OF
the beauty with which the Creator has clothed the
external world, the rudesl and most unenlightened
mind may be awakened to sense OF the greatness
and goodness OF the Almighty. II is unnecessary
10 dwell on the beneficial Influence which the Sab
oath exercises on The physical condition OF the
great masses Ut humanity, who earn their bread by
toll,ng industry, whether in the city or the open
fields.
But this great day of rest and enjoyment, those
cantng, purltanica, morose profaners Of christani
ty, would convert into a day OF penance anu re-
straint. They would stop all public convey ances,
prohibit the transportation OF the mails--close all
places OF public entertainment-force every body
to go to church--and convert the land, every first
day OF the week, into vast penitentiary. The
only result produced by these Sabbath Conven-
tons" is to create and foster prejudlces against
lgon. But nothing can be further removed from
the genuine spirit of christianity than sach cant
and moroseness. True religion frowns not on any
innocent enjoyment. The Sabbath Is needed to be
day Of worship and Of prayer-but a season too,
of rejoicing, oil peaceful hiarity, consecrated to
God-to friendship-and to rational enjoyment.
Il is fact worthy OF remark, and with it, we
close this article, that in those cities where the e
gislative provisions for the observance Of the Sab
bath are most STRINGENT the greatest dissertation Of
the Sabbath is observed. Thus in London, where
the regulations are severe, we saw far more in
temperance and disorder than in the cities Of the
continent where the people are allowed to enjoy
themselves, SO long as they keep in the bounds of
decorum and ORDER as well on the Sabbath as any
other day. The idea of forcing a community 10
be virtuous--to sanctify the Sabbath-to attend 10
the practises and duties OF religion lie the grossest
of absurdities These combinations Of men who
make great pretensions to superior sancty and re-
lgion, and who are every now and then meeting in
Conventions" passing long strings of fanatcal
resolutions, and boring the legislative bodies with
their plans Of moral and religious reform, do inf
nitely more harm than good. they strenathen
prejudices-already too powerful and prevalent
against religion. These "Sabbath Conventions
strike only at the enjoymenfs of the poor. The
rich man may drive about in his carriage, crack
jokes with his friends over his wine and walnuts
on the Lords day. but the nnnr n,ari'.niv must MOI
dare to ride on the railroad and enjoy his pot o.
beer. Out upon such spurious religion and canting
hypocrisy!
THE Doc DAYS Judging by what we saw yes
terday morning in Nassau street, the canine race
are about to make ademonstra ion of a conspicuou.
nature, in this their day and generation A decen
sleek looking specimen Of the race made his some
| what sudden appearance among the crowd, his tai
| blszing like comet behind him. his eyes hardly
less fiery, as though he were whipped by the fure,
| themselves. Be this as it may, after desperate
rush along the street he furiously boiled into pub
lie house of OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES tables
chairsand tumblers-spl'd the coffee OF one-took
The appetite from another, and after committing al
much devastation as could be in the time, was at
tackled and put to martyrdom, before the door OF
the dwelling he had invaded.
| Now, although we are in the dog. days, If dog.
were let alone they would behave as drcenlly a.
! other animals; but our knowledge Of natural his
tory is not Of such kind to inform us that there
exists any species that would co09y submit to an
application Of fire works TO his tail. We should
like to see the experiment tried upon the genius
who did SO tolthe dog under consideratior-we sus
pect he would show far less spunk, and look much
more contemplate than the poor quadruped.
DR.. HorI.IcK AND PHYSIOLOGY The second O
series of lectures, by this gentleman, on human
physiology, and the all important truths connected
with our physical constitution, was attended by
full house, in National Hall last evening TIL,
time was well spent, and so appeared to think thu
audience. On the delivery of the first OF ihes'
lectures on Tuesday evening, the speaker, in
omprehensive and well digested exorclum, place.
himself and me subject right with the public Hi
manner, and language, and style, did the first; hi
sound logic, his argument, his candor and research
accomplished the second. Apart from the interest
| ing and apposite de,ails oil the wonders OF repro
| due ION, the Illustrations OF the immutabe wisdom
OF nature, which teen in the animal and vegetabl,
worlds-whlch
| CLOVIS in each stem, and blossoms In each tree;
Lives through all life extends through all extent,
Spreads undiv ided, operates unspant.
| Apart from all this, Dr. HollIck's lecture wa
excellent as a defence Of truth, wndlcation o
the right OF free aud unehackled inquiry, and as
! convincing retuiation Of that silly, but fur 10,
prevalent opium that there truths OF which !
| is better to remain in state ot Iguo'ance. Has