The North-Carolina standard., 1849-01-17

CUSTOM
from. sofdid and fnordinats desire te aeenmbIat
fhk hc9eL vain haveodf disffhg mora
PHILOSOPHERS labofed from time memorial, to pn
forth to the world SBYsteha Of ethics, whereby th
moral healtf offhe people might be ameforated.
vain have en6 inent theologihns exefted nnofa
and mental enefgy and exhausted their mental Teso
ces in endeavoring to SUPPRESS vice and gProrfot
virtue. More abeftve viii their efforts ever be,
standing upon the watch-tower Of Zion to pfomul gS
the everlasting truths of holy rit, have ena
nated from the iInm acalate God and designed +
reform the world from Sstate Of innate depfayity t
aeondition Of enlightened christianity, WITH all it
concomitant blessings I'm vain has the God Of The
Universe himself, proclaimed the law from Sinai
and written 1t IN table of stene and given 1t tht
oprthcommaHdment int the Immortal decafogue, ss re
member the Sabbath day to keep 1T holy =" 9HsS'h
ssFhis custom ofihcessant labor in hauling the seir
on Albemarle and Croatan Sounds, and their trbuta
Fies, every day and might for several consecutive
weeksgis acHstom which has been blishe cas-
tern Nhrah Carolinas and Iesitate not to say pure
ly as the legitimate ofspiagof that eenng anc
morbid anxiety, which frequently aaifesfs ITSELF to
acchmuiate wealth, though coahtenanced and stai
ed by men of high responsibility and noted distine-
hItis to me amatier Of profound establishment that
it shouldbe tolerated lin this eIligktened period Of
the nineteenthJ century, when the light Of moral
sciences is difusng its happyfyng influence over the
habtable globe, transforming the mind of man and
indeliby impressing upon his sehses1the doctrine of
his moral obligations when the sun of christianity
has arisen almost the zenith Of its brightness, and
remitted over the earth, Illuminating
the mind of man, and implanng In his soal spark
of thesessence of Divinity ITSELF = oa 9siT4 so
Sir; 1t cannot be countenanced and sustained, with
out the participants; IN the unhalowed work receive
ing that punishment in1xed 10 the Infringement of
Jehoyah's holy laws. w hen L look around ME and
such indications of intelligence beaming forth
from every eye, my own convictions speak to me in
language not to be misunderstood that am address
ing gentlemen no less distinguished for their moFali
ty, than for their political sagacity and eWisdom
therefore feel justified in enforcing this subject upon
your moral senses, also upon your serious calm and
dgement. We read in holy writ, In
Leviticus and Nehemiah, 1anguage directly to the
purpose in the discussion of this subject language
which should make deepandlasting impression on
the mind of every 1t stands forth record
of inspiration, and everlasting warning, to the
present and all future generations yet unborn, not to
violate the sabbath, but keep it holy From these
records evidently hewrath of God manifested,
and while other nations upon the earth were enjoying
peace and prosperity, the legitimate result of ohe
dience te his laws, the Jewish nation came near be-
ing destroyed and according to the authority of the
most distinguished profane and sacred historians,
their land lay some seventy eighty years in state
of desolation AH in consequence of their disobedi-
ence in not observing the Sabbath TO keep it holy.
hen speak of our obligations TO abstain from la
Dor that day, would not be understood, some
might suppose to- favor that spirit which the self
ighte0na RhaEisees festered when they reprimanded
Of corn when they were hungry. believe there
IS no precept in holy writ making it igatory on
Is to abstain from work that day of strict
'ity. This leads US to the consideration of inn
,ortant ument, which has been urged against this
,il, viz: that hauling the sein the Sabbath is
work of necessity; and this point having been seized
Upon heretofore, it requires the exercise of
wrought fancy to anticipate this position consttut
ng an important basis, upon which the opponents
# the bill will chiefly found their defence. ;..l -
AS the discussion of this subject has assumed such
atitudnous range, We forced into the necessity
If taking more general view than expected, for
he bill demands discussion partaking more of
political nature, than exclusively poti-
al. To suppose this to be work of necessity levin
corrupt solicude to distort the true interpreta
ions of Scrptureto strengthen the base passions of
luman nature; and equals in its prejudical influence
ny that base and sordid eagerness acquire wealth.
which prompts an individual to advocate such doc
rines Ibeleye man is no more justified inhanling
sein the Sabbath, than he is in ploughing during
he crop seasons Notwithstanding the season of the
me be shorter than the other; yet ut is fact we'll
lnown that the farmer could reap more abundant
harvest in autumn, did e continue necessarily the
operations en'his farm from spring till autumn With
,ut relaxing his energies intermtting days
abor. Yet while the one isapprobated-and esteem
ID as honorable the other is epobated in the severes
md bittereSt terms. fe0t e tiiu t5.5sEslfy II
Sir, it seems to me, to be perfectly obvious, that
he whole christian world, wherever the Sabbath is
observed. should, without the exception of single
lass, prosecute their secular concerns the same days
If the week. Why should the fisherman have the
protecting arm of custom common usage 'thEoMR
round him, TO shield him from that odum and dis
.race, which would inevitably be forced upon the
armer mechanic or merchant. For if these classes
should be so blinded by the God of naumon, and sol
eFelinquent efduty to their Maker wantony to desc
rate this holy day, they would be reined to the ]
of public opinion, rand receive the wise verdict
# an enlightened christian community. The finger
# seern would designate them from their fellow
men. Il apprehend that it cannot be regarded
work of necessity even If the term is construed its
most latitndineus acceptate. The Lord of the Sab
ath has given us correct idea of work of neces-
ity, when the question was asked him, by the self
ighteous Pharsees, whether it be lawful heal on
he Sabbath day? In order that we might well COM
'fehend the nature of work of necessity, he says
shat man shall there be among you, that shall have
me Sheep and if it fall into the pit on the Sabbath
ay, will he not lay hold it and lift it OUT, from
which language the only rational and logical deduc
ion that can be drawn.is is that network can be con-
idered work of necessity, which can be postponed
rom day to day. But MI. Speaker, ithas been con-
ended on the other side of this hail. that uncon
titutiona and if it is it is wrong
restrict the rights and privileges of SO to
rohibit them from hanling the sein,on the Sabbath
sir, confess my astonishment such intimations,
or, my convictions had taught me most forcibly,
hat the primary as well as the ultimate design of all
udicious legislation, was for the pablcs obd and
hat all laws should bestow the greatest amount of
ood to the majority, with the least possible injury
the minority. Or In other words we should enact
uch laws as may exerta salntary influence great
umber, notwithstanding they may act prejudcially
the pecuniary interest of few. 1g!5aslI & - 4s7a
W. therefore keep this doctrine in constant view,
1hich we aPprehend to be the true policy by. which
very Legislative body should be influenced. Sir,
ow can il be possible, some might suppose, that
very Legislative act could prove blessing to every
ldiyidual or isolated class every community. TO
a. a..