Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1855-06-15
ELLSWORTH HANCOCK COUNTY. MAINE; FRIDAY

tiously observe the seventh day of the
week as a Christian Sabbath, are, upon
conviction Tor violating the first day Of
the week, or Sunday, by working or pur-
sueing any worldly employment, amena-
bic to the penalties inflicted by the Ac,
of the Assembly. In answer 10 the po-
siion that it exalts the religious belief
Of certain sects over that of others, Bell
]. says: "though il may have been a
motive with the law makers to prohibit
the PROCLAMATION OF day regarded by
them as sacred--it is not perceived how
this fact can vitally affect the question a,
ISSUE Al agree that to the well being
Of society periods of rest are neces sary
To be productive Of the required advan.
lage, these periods must recur at stated
intervals, SO that the mass of which the
community is composed, may enjoy res
pite from labor at the same time They
may be established by common consent,
or, as is conceded the legislative power
oi the state may without ilnpropriety.
Interfere 10 fix the time of their stated
return, and enforce obedience to their
direction. When this happens, some
one day must be selected, and it has
been said that the round of the weeI,
present, none, which being preferred
might not be regarded as favoring some
one religions sect In a Christian com
lnunity, where a very large majority OF
the people celebrate the first day OF the
week as their chosen period OF rest from
labor II Is not surprising that that day
should lave received the legislative sane.
ton, &c. Yet this does not change the
character Of the enactment 1t is still
essentially civil institution, made for
the government of man, as member oil
society, and obedience to it may properly
be enforced by penal sanctions" In
South Carolina the question then arose
whether Jews could eujoy immunity from
the law prohibiting sales on Sunday -
This question was very fully consldere ed
N Charleston rs Benjamin, |, Law Rep
\ s. :, and 1t was there held that the
r'ght OF appointing the Sabbath, as day
OF rest from labor must be regarded as a
municipal institution, conducive to civil
experience. This" says O'NeaI, j.
rs mere police or municipal regula-
ton. Ii the lsraei,e " ere allowed To
make the objection, that he could no, be
cons'i,ulionally restrained from pursueiag
public business on Sunday, the infidel
would say, all days are alike to me and
therefore | will at all tunes pursuc nv
business. Such an assumption is so pre-
pcstcrous that no one would tolerate II.
! The same views were held IN Shaw Is
State, 5 Eng, 262, and in Common.
wealth IS WaIpolc, 3 S. & X 4S. By
recurring TO the debates OF the couven-
ton by which the Constitution of lhi-
State vas formed, it will be perceived
that the establishment OF the SaLbati
was regarded simply as civil lnsIiIu'i N
a. h,Ia >, ~, coornbaI ,hat ~ ,y,S ,ri, i,tt,
the general powers of the legislature tf
select day Of rest, on which labor ant
recreation nigh, be prohibited, It was de-
MED that they had any right to prescribe
this as day Of icorship, to those "hc
might believe another to be the propel
Sabbath. Perley's debates II.
The Jews and the Seventh Day Bap
lists regarding Saturday as divnely SCI
apart for rest, final legal .impediments Il
labor on the Christian Sabbath, when
they believe it may be lawfully done
aud conscientious scruples to their labor
ing on the preceding day, so tina, be
tween the law and their consciences the,
are compelled to abstain from labor OF
both days ye, this is not regarded al
hurting, molesting or restraining then
in their persons, Liberties or estates, with
in the meaning of constitutional prohlbi
tions similar To our own; nor as creating
a subordlna,ion or preference of one sec
over another. Much more. then, should
not the selection Of the bible as bool
in which reading only is TO be taught
be regarded as in the slightest deg' ee II
conflict with this portion of the Bill 0
Rights.
But the objection is urged that this Il
the creation oil a religious test. But ne
requirements as to belief are made es
seulial TO entitle a scholar to the benefits
of the common schools of the State
lie may be Jew or a Mehometan,
Catholic or Protestant, he may beilev,
much or lule according TO the inslruc