The Columbian fountain., 1846-02-14
OBSERVANCE oFsTHE SABBATH.
10 the Friends Of the Sabbath in The
District Of Columbia. N
ADDRESS,

of growing interest TO the American people.
Contemplated from many different points of
view, the conclusion is irresistible, and its
admission is gaining friends among all
classes in the community, that no other IN
sttution can take its place, nor secure TO
man the same inestmable blessings.
When we consider its renovating infiu-
ence on the powers Of the animal nature,
exhausted through six days Of toll; It's ele-
vatlng influence upon the intellect, directing
Its attention to those momentous themes
by which it is expanded and refined its
help to the magistracy in promoting the OBJ
servance of municipal regulations; its con-
servative power in families and / neigh
borhoods, in preventing discord and lead
ing to refined intercourse the shield it
throws around civil liberty, promoting a
righteous regard for law and order, curb
ing the unhallowed spirit Of misrule; and,
above all, the help it affords in prepar-
ing the soul Of man for a happy i'm
mortality we are not surprised that states
men, patriots, phianthropists, and Chris
tians are now uniting their efforts to make
its observance general throughout the land
and calling upon the people with one voice
to keep it holy. 1.tsaa III
Within the last few years Conventions in
many OF the States composing parts Of this
great Confederacy have been assembled to
deliberate and decide upon the best possible
methods of securing its holy calm to all
their citizens Happy results have follow
ed these meetings, in which all denomina-
tons of Christians have. participated
Others. encouraged by their example, and
the salutary influence which has succeeded
their efforts in this good and noble cause,
are preparing to do likewise As yet, no
meeting of the character referred to has
been held in this District, where we might
reasonably suppose, if good is likely to re-
suit, the precedent should have been esta-
oIished.
In the capital of these United States,
where the collected wisdom of the nation
is found from year to year in our National
Legislature--the heart Of the American
Commonwealth, from which an influence
is sped through every vein and artery of
the great body politic--it cannot be other
wise than that an effort should be made to
form and send abroad healthful public SEN
timent from it, in relation TO the proper OBJ
servance Of the Sabbath, which would bless
the whole land.
Believing that Convention of the friends
Of the Sabbath in this District would be an
appropriate means to aid in promoting its
hallowed observance, in view OF the posi-
tons they occupy, the good results which
have attended similar meetings held else
where, and the opportunity it will afford
many of our honorable and influential cti-
zens to give utteyance 10 their own cher
ished sentiments, or endorsement to the
wise conclusions df others on the great sub
ject of Sabbath keeping, which cannot fail
in stimulating TO renewed exertions the
friends Of the Sabbath throughout the land:
We, whose names are subscribed to this
paper, from the hearty conviction that no!h-
ing can more decidedly protect and advance
all the great vital interests of the commune
ty at large, both temporal and spiritual, do
hereby announce that Convention of the
friends of the Sabbath will be held in the
city Of Washington on Tuesday, the Oath
day of February, A. d. 1916, at 2 o'clock
P NJ, in the First Presbyterian Church,
Al street, and to continue for succession
of DAYS 4la Esa
We do earnestly solicit the Churches of
all the evangelical denominations of this
District to send delegates to sit with US as
members Of this Convention, aud partici-
pate in whatever business may come before
it. st.
We respectfully invite all persons who
have been engaged in manufactures, COM
merce, agriculture, or any general business
which may have furnished them with facts
illustrating the economy, morality, or COM
fort of a conscientious observance OF the
Lords Day, 10 mingle with US on that oc-
casion. N
We request the attendance OF all persons
in any way connected with the public con-
veyances of the country, and which are
employed on the Sabbath.
We request communications furnishing
well-authenticated proofs that the suspen-
sion of the public transportation OF mer-
chandise, and the public conveyance of per-
sons on the Sabbath, would greatly conduce
to the pecuniary profit, the physical COM
fort, and personal safety of the community
We respectfully invite his excellency the
President of these United States, the Hon.
Secretary Of State, the Hon. Secretary OF the