The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-06-19

about our being " bis chosen people to day" we
would like bin to turn to his New Testament, to
that gospel which is commanded to be preached
'"'v'rS people, and read ia Mark, IL 24-2S,
what our Saviour said when the Pbarlsees re-.
tr"a hed him that his Disciples pucked corn on
We sabbath day, " whicA Is not lawful :" aud we
wish bin to remember aud reflect upon the new
la" wtich the Lord then gave to men " The
sabbath was made for man, aud not nan for the
sabbath, therefore the Son of Man is Lord also Of
The Sab ath.v
Our correspondent, and. no doubt, many whc
think differently from us ON thispquestiou, Gu,
'rely mistake our argument. They point to the
limited numbers that now set public opinion a.
debalce, and avail themselves of what facilities
they can find to cave the city and catch breath
of fresh air, and exclaim, See who we would re-
strain srd who W. would encourage 1t il noe
the came OF these deflers of public opinion tina
we are pleading They want no peader, fos
they take their cause into tbei, Owe hands and
with the spirit that animates mea who pay NJ
respect to the opinion of the community 10
wbicb they live, they, no doubt, do many wrong
things
But we plead the cause of the many
thousands of honest, industrious and vir-
tuous working men, who, paying n
proper respect to the admitted opinion OF the
community, crush the longings that are within
them and stihe the words that would rise to
their lips II they would not be condemned OF
men, How many there are Of these to whom
Sunday is now day of physical torture. Tbe
frame OF man accustomed to daily labor feels
positive pain when condemned to day of com
plete inaction. So well convinced of this are our
preachers, who now admit that religion does no.
impose alttorture upon its p ofessors, that they
have long since abandoned their churches with
ont fire, their pews without cushions, and their
sermons of one and even TWO hours delivery.
Yet many now living can look back to their
young days. in the Puritan fatherlaud of New
England, when to desire stove in the meet
ing house was wicked, to place cushions on the
oak cats as irreligious, and to complain of the
length Of even one hours sermon was rank in
fidelity.
Things have changed since then, and yet there
are millions among us to whom the Sunday, a.
we observe it, is day Of positive torture. The
innocent prattle of childhood must be hushed.
The ever.gushiDg energy Of youth must be
stilled. The tired frame Of manhood, bent for
six days of toll, must restrain its desire
10 walk forth erect, and, changing the
position and character Of its exercise, to seek
relief and relaxation. The mother, bound to
her household duties while the father performs
bis weekly labors, is denied the poor privilege
Of one days healthful enjoyment with the part
ner of her joys and sorrows, aud their loveo
little ones by her side. All these harmonious
and holy impulses of our nature must be stiled
and crushed. This is not religion-this is no,
the teaching of the soul-saving doctrine which
our Saviour preached, for the Sabbath was made
for man and not man for the Sabbath. It is in
behalf of the multitude of those that respect
the opinions Of their fellow men, and silently
consent to the making of Sunday day of duh
penance and of dreary inaction, that we advo-
cate q change in public opinion. Let the roads
be opened with cheap Sunday trains to places OF
pleasant resort. Let the good and the indus
trious, and the temperate be permitted to 90
forth
and hold
Converse With natures charms, and view her stores
unroled.