The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-02-11

For the Union.
TO THE FRIENDS Of The SABBATH IN THE DIS.
TRlCT or COLUMBIA
Alta meeting Of friends Of the Sabbath, called at
the instance OF Rev. Justin Edwards, ID. d., Sec
rotary of the American and Foreign Sabbath Union
and held in Washington, December 22d, lsI5, u
committee was appointed, who proposed the follow
ing address the public, and obtained for II the
compsnying signatures Of gentlemen in Washing
ton, Alexandria, and Georgetown:
IL is worthy Of notice, that the importance and ad-
vaniases Of the Sabbath subjects Of growing IN
Iercst to the American people. Contemplated from
many different points of view, the conclusion Is IT.
resisube, and its admission is gaining ground among
all classes in the community, that other institu-
ton take its place, secure TO man the same
invaluable blessings
When we consider its renovatiDg influence on the
powers Of the animal nature, exhausted through six
days Of toll; its eleya,ing influence upon the intel
lect, directing it's attention TO those momentous
themes by which il is expanded and refined; its help
to the magistracy in promoting the observance OF
municipal regulations; its conservative power in
families and negbborhoods, in preventing dscord
and leading to refined intercourse; the shield II
| throws around civil liberty, promoting righteous
regard for law and order, curbing the unhalowed
spirit OF msrue; and, above all the help 1t affords
| in preparing the soul Of for a happy immor-
taity, we are not surprised that statesmen, phlan.
thropists, and Christians are now uniting Their ef.
forts to make its observance general throughout the
land, and calling upon the people with one voice TO
keep 1t holy.
Within the last few years, conventions in many of
the States composing parts Of this great coniederacy,
have been assembled TO deliberate and decide upon
the best possible methods Of securing its holy calm
to oil their citizens. Happy results have followed
these meetings in which all denominations Of Chris-
tians have participated. Others, encouraged by
their example and the salu,ary 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 might reasonably suppose, If
good is likely to result, the precedent should have
been established.
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 otherwise than that
effort should he made TO form and send abroad
hcalthful public sentiment from it, in relation to the
proper observance Of the Sabbath, which would
bless the land.
Believing that a convention Of the friends OF the
Sabbath in this District would be appropriate
means to aid in promoting its halowed observance
in view Of the position they occupy, the good re.
suits which have attended similar meetings held
elsewhere, and the opportunity it will afford many
of our honorable and influential citizens to give ut
terancc to their own cherished sentiments, or en-
dorscment to the wise conclusions Of others the
great subject of Sabbath-keeping, which cannot fail
in stimulating to renewed cxertion the friends OF the
Sabbath throughout the land:
We whose names are subscribed to this paper
from the hearty conviction that nothing can more
decidedly protect and advance all the great vital in
tercsts of the community 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 o'clock p. m, in the
First Presbyterian church, d street, and TO contn-
ue for a succession of days.
We do earnestly solicit the churches Of all evan
geical denominations of this District to send dele
eates to sit with us as members of this convention,
| and participate in whatever business may come be-
fore it.
We respectfully invite all persons who have been
! engaged in manufactures, commerce, agriculture,
or any general business which may have furnished
them with facts illustrating the economy, morality,
or comfort Of conscientious observance Of the
Lords day. to mingle with us on this occasion.
We request the attendance of all persons in any
way connected with the public conveyances of the
country, and which are employed on the Sabbath.
We solicit communications furnishing wcau-
thcncated proofs that the suspension Of the public
transportation Of merchandise, and the public con-
vcyancc of persons on tho Sabbath, would greatly
conduce to the pecuniary profit, the physical COM
fort, and personal safety Of the community.
We respectfully invite his excellcncy the Presi-
dent of these United States the honorable Secretary
Of State, the honorable Secretary Of the Navy, the
honorable Secretary Of War, the honorable Secre-
iary ofthe Treasury, the honorable Attorney Gene
raj and the honorable Postmaster General, the heads
OF the several bureaus, members Of Congress OF
both branches of our national legislature, strangers
and citizens Of this District to attend as far as 1t
consists with their convenience and pleasure, upon
the meetings Of this convention.
We earnestly solicit the pastors Of all the evan
gelica churches throughout the District to urge upon
the delegates appointed from their respective charges
the duty and privilege Of attending this convention
On our part, pledge ourselves to do all in our
power to make the meetings Of the convention in.
teresting and profitable, by securing the attendance
of some of our most distinguished gentlemen, from
whom able, instructive, and spirt-stirring addresses
may be ex pscted And design fpracticable laying
before the convention such facts and arguments as
we fondly trust will impress every one present with
us on that occasion that equally behooyes the civil
ap the Christian the patriot and the phanthropist
to seek an Improvement IN the observance of the
fourth commandment.
And now to the sympathies, the prayers, and the
generous corporation Of the wise, the influential,
and the good, we intrust this humble effort to adj
vance the comfort and happiness Of our community.
]. Laurie, J. Dunlop,
w. T. Sprole, S g. Gassaway,
II. Lindsey, Robt. Berry,
Il. Hartley Crawford, Elias Harrison,