The Camden weekly journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1853-1861, 1853-02-15
Sunday Work.

We are graied to see that this Inject was discussed
at the recent annual meeting of the Stockholders Of the
South Carolina Rail Road Company, and that so far as
relates to the freight trains running on the Sabbath,
this day is to be observed hereafter. One step has
been taken towards cessation of the evil of Sunday
work on our Rail Road. We hope another will soon
follow, and that due observance of this day will be
made, when no work at all shall be allowed on the
Road.
The memorial presented by Rev. Dr.. WH1TEFooRD
SMITH, on bchalfo the South Carolina Conference was
an able one and sets forth in its true light the evils of
Sunday labor on the Road This custom is direct and
positivo violation of Divine law-an Infringement on
the laws of the land. No one can deny it. We are
unable to see how it is that the South Carolina Rail
Road Company have any more the special and absolute
right to employ this day, than private individual has
to open his store and sell his goods, or pursue his
weekday avocations The fact is, they have not the
right and it assumption Of power, which there is
no authority for in the Bible in the statute book,
and one which ought to be stopped. Perhaps at this
point we are met by wise objector, who says that
the public accommodation requires that the mail and
passenger cars at least should run that day well
any other Suppose it does suit the accommodation
of some persons to violate tho rules of law and good
order, is that sufficient why it should be done?
We say not. II it is moral and legal wrong for q
man to build house, or otherwise proane the day Of
the Lord, which We are commanded to keep holy, and
in which we are to do work. then most assuredy is
it wrong for company ofpersons who are each sepa
rately and distinctly individuals, responsible for
their actions to employ body, day in which they
have no right to do any work.
It is wrong for these men, having it in their power
to keep employed on the Lords day, in direct oppos
ton to the command Of God, "Thc stranger that is
within their gates" The dictates Of common hunlan
ty require that rest should be given to man and beast
Providence has made abundant provision that this
should be DONE but in his prcsumptuous cgotism
dares to oppose his puny will to that ofthe great AM
We ask what is the real of this violation of Gods
law? Is it not to make money? Does the Company
consult the comfort and accommodation of one part of
tho community in opposition to the wishes of another
merely from benevolent motives or desire to please?
Come down to the real TRUTH and say is not the idea
ogan at the bottom CT the whole matter? 1t cannot
be denied that such is the case; and it is gratuous
and unjust assumption for any man to say that tho de-
sire to sec the Sabbath kept involabe proceeds from
"na,row minded bigotry" or the least wish of inter-
ference with religious liberty" 1t is not So 1t is
"narro,o minded" avarce which presumes to lch from
its Maker every moment ofime and appropriate to its
exclusive use for purposes Of selfish aggrandzement
and the accumulation of sordid dust which as easily
scattered to the four winds by the breath Of Heaven
as it is for man himself fra child of the dust-to
fall to earth
Experience teaches that, with all mans encrgy, econ
omy and management there is higher power beyond
our mortal KEN which may be brought to bear against
his mighticst works; and in the twinking of an eye
it may come as with the bosom Of destruction only to
show how great man was-how weak he is. Even
those who call it minded 6igotry" them
selves no moro able to avert the danger and say what
doest thou? than VIC who profess to love and desire to
keep the Sabbath day.
This subject is one which interests all persons tits
no sectional matter, cmcnating from, for the benefit
of any particular denomination of christians but ono
in which every good otzcnS doepy concerned, wheth
or hc bo member ofany Church or not The moral
influence growing out of tho observance Of the Sabbath
s too much matter of fact to be successfully contra
dctcd by modern infdclity; and tho attempt to sur
ot any sect or denomination of christians who move in
this matter is unjust, as well as ungencrous Religion
has suffered too long without being destroyed to yield