Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1845-09-04
SABBATH CONVENTION.

nelu at montpelier on INC SOtn ana SlsI ultltDo,
from the Vermont Chronicle. The number of the
friends Of the Sabbath who attended was much
larger than anticipated from the circumstances
under which the call was issued Had more time
been taken to correspond with persons of different
denominations, the number Of delegates would
probably have been much larger. But all must be
aware of the difficulty in fixing upon any time for
such meeting which will not interfere with some
other. The present week is the meeting of the
New Hampshire General Association, which DR..
Edwards attends. Next week and the week after
come the Anniversary at Andover, and meeting Of
the American Board. After that commence our
County Anniversaries, which continue till late in
the Autumn But Notwithstanding existing disad
vanogcs, the meeting presented characteristics of
special interest.
L. Those in attendance were evidently, as body,
the real friends OF the Sabbath. Besides ministers
of the Gospel, many Of those present we're laynan
who had witnessed with pain the growing desecra-
ton OF the Sabbath in their respective commuu-
ties and had come up to inquire what can be done
TO arrest the evil. Hence the addresses and dis
cussions were listened to with marked interest,"
Seldom have we attended a meeting where such
interest was manifested by tic congregation in the
exercises throughout
2 The exercises of the Convention we're highly
practical. The idea was prominent that the world
is 10 be reformed mainly by reforming individuals,
and that if the Sabbath is ever to be kept holy by
the community at large, it must first be so kept by
individual protesting Christians. Those resolu-
tons directing the attention Of ministers and Chris
tans to the Importance Of right observance Of the
Sabbath, individuals, early introduced, and
were the principal topics of remark during the sit
tngs of the body The feeling evidently prevailed
that Conventions of the kind would be of little ser
vice, unless they were instrumental in stimulating
The church to right observance Of the Lords day
and could all the ministers and church members in
the State have been present, we think they would
have returned to tteir homes with hearts quickcned
in relation to a right observance Of the Sabbath
3. The great principles on which the divine ou
thoriy of the Sabbath rests, were made prominent.
Next to personal responsibility and influence these
principles occupied the attention Of the Conyen-
ton, as will appear from the resolutions adopted.
These are numerous, quite too numerous, some
may think but reason for their number may be
found in the fact that the Convention adopted this
method of presenting their views relative to the
Sabbath and Its observance, instead OF doing 1t IN
an Address, rs is usual an such occasions. 1t was
hoped that the principles contained in these res.lu
tons would be taken up and applied both by chur
ches and individual Christians. The remarks of
DR.. Edwards were listened to with special interest
Gated relative to the increased observance of the
Sabbath, and the interest felt on the subject in the
Middle and Western States. In addition to the
facts communicated by Dr. Edwards, the statements
made by Rev. Mr. Powell, Agent Of the Phllade.
pha Sabbath Association, were highly interesting.
Mr. p has been fof several years engaged in efforts
to promote right observance Of the Sabbath, on
the Erie Canal, in Ohio, and in Pennsylvania. The
latter State has about 1900 miles Of canals. -Four
years ago the boats all these lines ran on the
Sabbath as on other days. Now, through the bles-
sing Of God, efforts made to promote the obser-
vance of the Sabbath not one of the boats move
on that day, and not one in twenty Of the lock ten
ders will open the locks. The boatman in this
State are almost universally in favor of resting on
the Sabbath, as is the with the 100000 OF this
class employed on our western waters; and no sub
ject, he stated, excited a deeper interest among G.
vangecal Christians in those parts of our country
The committee to nominate officers reported the
following, who were elected.
For President,
Hrs ExcELLENcY, WILLIAM SLADE.
For Vice Presidents,
THOS. A. MERRILL, ID. d.,
JASON STEELE, ESQ,
REV, JOHN CURRlEk.
For Secretaries,
Hon. ]. w. SMITH,
REV. &. b DRAKE.
The resolutions reported by the business COM
mittee in the morning were taken up and adopted,
and are the following:
J. ReSolred, That we gratefully recognize the
goodness of God in that great arrangement of six
days in a week for labor, and attention to secular
concerns, and one day for rest, and special deyo-
ton to the worship OF God and the promotion Of
the spiritual good of men,
Remarks BY Messrs. Powell and Gridley.
2. RcSolued, That in our view this arrangement
is fundamental, and the correct and ha6itual obser
vance of it is required by the honor of God and
the highest social and religious interests Of men.
g. RESOLVED, That the fact, that God appeals to
his own example, confirmation Of this arrange
ment, and reason why all men should observe
il, marks it as Of peculiar Importance, and ought to
secure its observance by all who acquainted
with Ills will.
Remarks by DR.. Edwards and Rev. Mr.. Hubbard.
H. ReS0ired, That as laws are like their associ-
ates, the fact Of His placing the Sabbatical Law
in the moral code, among permanent unchanging +,
and universal associates, Is conclusive evidence OF
Its moral character; and like the reason which he
gave for the observance of It, shows that it de-
signed for, and is equally applicable to the whole
human family.
s. ReSolred, That as ministers Of the gospel are
appointed watchman and teachers Of Gods peo-
pie and as actions speak louder and teach more i'm.
prossivey than words, their conduct as individuals,
as heads of families, and especially officers Of
Gods Church, with regard to the manner Of keep
ing of the Sabbath, must ever have momentous
influence not only on their own sancticallon and
that Of their families, but the sanclcalion,
fitness and salvation of their people.
Remarks by Messrs. Edwards, Powell, Converse,
DR.. Merrill, Wright Clark, Nash, Leaytt, Bishop,
and Hoyt
g. Resolved, That as Christians are represented
by our Lord the light of the world and their eX
ample will have great influence on the opinions
and practices Of others with regard to the manner
of keeping the Sabbath, their duty to themselves,
rs well as to their fellow men, and their peculiar
relations to God and his cause lay them under pc
culiar obligations to keep the Sabbath as ndividu
ais, to secure its observance by their families, and
in all things with regard to it, to set Il uniformly
consistent and holy example.
Supported by Alessrs. Gridley, Bass, Stocker,
Gov. Slade, Drs. Merrill aid Edwards.
z. ReSoired, That as the Sabbath was appointed
and given to men, 10 be, with its attendant means