The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-06-24

THE SABBATH COMMITTEE AND THE SUNDAY
OrEsrIoN-The Sabbath Committee appear to
be spending great deal of money on the publ
cation of documents setting forth their exclusive
and puritanical notions upon the Sunday ques-
ton. They have been deluging the city with
pamphlets, which they have recently compiled
in volume for general circulation. These
documents present fair share Of all that has
been said for and against their idea of the due
observance of the Sabbath-the arguments in
favor of the Committees views possessing in
quantity what perhaps an impartial critic would
decree the arguments against them contain in
quality, in Christian charity, and in common
sense.
The Sabbath Committee lay great stress upon
the running of railroad trains on Sunday as sub
versive of morals. They appear to have a
strong objection to permit the humble and
poorer classes of the community to escape from
the temptations of the metropolis-the crowd,
the heat, the agony Of confinement within
Bastile of brick and mortar upon that day which
the Creator himself set apart forrest and recrea-
ton. They are willing enough to afford the
rich, who can select their own time for pleasure,
to enjoy the luxury Of cushioned pew in church.
and the pleasurable excitement of listening to a
sensation preacher; but they would debar the
poor from the enjoyment of nature, as she offers
it to them in the green fields, the shady wosds
and the cool breezes Of the country.
The first principle of Christian charity is to
befriend the poor. The very essence and spirit
of the Christian religion is to extend blessings
and comfort to those who are denied
share in the material prosperity Of the
world. The social condition of thousands in
this metropolis prevents them from participating
in any outdoor enjoyment upon any day but
| Sunday. The loss of a days work in the week
is almost equivalent to a days absolute want
| or starvation to many families. Yet the Saba
tarians would impose upon this class the alter
native of no rational enjoyment at all, or enjoy
ment at sacrifice which they cannot afford to
make To cut of the opportunity of sharing
the bountiful gifts Of nature, which the open
country offers to the harassed mechanic and
his family, is to reduce them to the baser plea
sures Of the drinking cup, the gaming table and
| the haunts of vice. Human nature demands
variety and recreation human nature as repre-
sented by the toiler and worker with hand and
brain, and human nature as represented by the
| Sybarite and sensualist alike. Fifth avenue
nature demands them as a relief from ennui,
l and the humber avenues and streets as
means of recuperation for energies exhausted
in the great battle of life-the struggle with
present necessity and prospective want. In all
| the Christian countries in the world excursions
into the country, by railroads and otherwise
| are more frequent on Sunday than on any other
day. And why! Because Christian civilization,
where unin6uenced by the narrow spirit of Puri-
tanism and Hypocrisy, recognises among Its first
duties and most brilliant evidences the ministrs-
| ton of comfort and enjoyment to the poor-the
| elevation Of the humber classes above the gro
yelling pleasures Of vice, which are alone within
their reach in crowded city. Give the people
an opportunity to get into the country on Sun
day by every cheap and available means, and
the baser excitements of the grogshop and the
lager bier saloon will soon be abandoned.
We perceive that the Grand Jury. acting in
the spirit Of the Sabbath Committee, have pre-
sented the Liquor Dealers Association, under
the Revised Statutes, for conspiring TO commit
an act injurious to public health, public morals,
and 30 forth. This Is mere folly. The Grand
Jury might, with as much reason, and perhaps
more justice, present the Sabbath Committee
for conspiring to establish o religious oligarchy.
Nothing can result from such action on the part
Of the Grand Jury but TO lessen the efficacy of
that body in correcting evils and suppressing
crimes which initiate fearfully against the
morals and peace of the community.
FOREIGN ArPEEuATIoS OF AMERICAN Arr
1t il gratifying to find that our school of land
scape painting-which we have always con-
tended had n marked indiv;<iualitv-is beOin