The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1855-11-08
SUNDAY MAILS.

several petitions OH the subject OF mails OF
the Sabbath, or The first day Of the week, re
port:
That some respite is required from the or
dinary vocaions oflife is an established prIn
ciple, sanctioned by the usages of all nations
whether Christian or pagan. One day in sew
ell has also been determined upon as the
proportion Of time; and in conformity with
the wishes Of the great majority of citizens
of this country, the first day of the week,
commonly called Sunday, has been sci apart
10 that object. The principle has received
the sanction of the national Legislature, so
far as to admit suspension Of all public
business on that day, except III cases of ab-
soute necessity, or OF great public utility
This principle the committee would not
wish TO disturb. If kept within its Legitimate
sphere of action, no injury can result from
its observance. IT should, however, be kept
in mind that The proper object of govern
ment is to protect all persons in the enjoy
menl of their religious as we'll as civil lights,
and not 10 determine for any whether they
shall esteem one day above another, or es.
TEEN oil days alike holy.
We are aware that variety of sentiment
exists among the good citizens of this nation
on the subject OF the Sabbath day and our
government is designed for tie protection of
one as much as for another. The Jews, who
in this country are as free as Christians, and
entitled 10 the same protection from the laws,
derive their obligation TO keep the Sabbath
day from the fourth commandment in the
decalogue, and, in conformity with that in.
junction, pay religious homage TO the seventh
day of the week, which we call Saturday,
One denomination Of Christians among US,
justly celebrated for their piety, and certainly
as good citizens as any other class, agree
with the Jews in the usual obligation of the
Sabbath, and observe the same day. There
are also many Christians among US who de.
rive not their obligation 10 observe the Sab.
bath from the decalogue. bu! regard the Jew
ish Sabbath as abrogaled From the exam
pie Of the Apostles of Christ, they have cho-
sen the first day of the week, instead OF that
day set apart in the decalogue, for their re-
ligious devotions. These have generally re-
garded the observance of the day as a de-
votional exercise, and would not more read.
lily enforce il upon others than they would
enforce secret prayer or devoul mediialions.
Urging the fact that neither the Lord nor His
disciples, though often censured by their ac-
cusers for violation OF the Sabbath, over
enjoined ils observance, they regard it as
subject on which every person should be full
ly persuaded in his own mind, and not CO.
cree others 10 act upon his persuasion. Many
Christians again differ from these, protesting
TO derive their obligation to observe the Sab
bath from The fourth commandment of the
Jewish decaloeue, and bring the example of
the Apostle, who appear TO have held their
public meetings for worship on the first day
OF the week, as authority for so far changing
the decalogue as 10 substitute that day for
the seventh. The Jewish government was
the ocracy, which enforced religious obser.
vances; and though the committee would
hope that no portion of the citizens of our
country could willingly introduce system
of religious coercion in our civil institutions,
the example of other nations should admon-
sh US 10 watch carefully against its earliest
indication.
With these different religious views, the
committee are of opinion that Congress can.
no, interfere. 1t is not the legitimate pro-
vince of the Legislature to determine what
religion is true, or what is false. Our gov
eminent is a civil and not religious instu-
ton. Our constitution recognizes in every
person the right 10 choose his own religion,
and to enjoy it frsely, without molesta:ion.--
Whatever may be the religious sentiments
of citizens, and however varient, they are
alike entitled 10 protection from The govern
ment, so long as they do not invade the
rights of Others.
The transportation OF the mail on the first
day of the week, it is believed, does not in
terfere with the rights of conscience. The
petitioners for its discontinuance appear to
be actuated from religious zeal. which may
be comnendable if confined 10 i,s proper
sphere but they take position better suited
10 an ecclesiastical than 10 a civil institution.
They appear, in many instances, 10 lay it
down as an axiom that the practice is vio-
lation of the law of God. Should Congress,
in their legislative capacity, adopt the senl-
menl, il would establish the principle that
the Legislature is proper tribunal to deter
mine what are the laws of God. II would
involve the legislative decision in religious
controversy, and on point in which good
citizens may honestly differ in opinion with
out disturbing the peace of society, or en-
it's liberties. Ifthe principle Ia once
introduced, it will be impossible to define Its
bounds. Among all the religious prosecu.
tion with which almost every page OF mod
ern history is stained, no victim ever suffered
but for the violation of what government de-
nominated the law of God. To prevent a
similar train of evils in this country, the
constitution has wisely withheld from our
government the power of fdefining the devine
law. II is right reserved 10 each citizen,