Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1861-02-21
AliGtellanraus.
The Pioneer Line.
In keeping the commandments there is great
reward

reward.
Travelling last summer, over the rich lands
Of Wisconsin, met. one Saturday, a gentle
nan who recognized me as an old acquain-
tance, and insisted on my spending the Sab
bath with him. It was beautiful day. and
the country all around was beautiful. Rich
ness industry, and an ample reward Of labor
everywhere appeared. My friend had sclec-
ted one of the most delightful sections ni
Wisconsin, State distinguished for its rich
ness and vaIiegated scenery, and here, with
several brothers, had laid out Il town and
formed society agreeable to their own taste
and wishes. They did not exclude settlers
who were not religious men, but such as they
did not wish to have reside among them
found it fer their interest to purchase farms
in other places.
A church neat and commolious, adorned
Il spacious park which in its turn was sha-
dcd and enriched by native oaks of lofty
growth. and elevated above the surrounding
country, together with an academy gave
evidence both of the religious character and
intelligence OF the people. The scenery was
perfectly enchanting, and we rested on the
Sabbath, delighted and refreshed. In no ru-
raj district have we ever found church ed
lticc 50 neat, or a congregation more respec-
table as to intelligence and refinement.
In the course OF our visit, our friend Mr.. A.
said to me, DO Won remember my calling at
your house in 1925, with JOSIAH Bissil to So
Iicit your assistance towards securing patron
age Tor II Sabbath keeping line of boats on the
Erie canal?' remembered the incident very
we'll The line of boats was established, and
the Pioneer line Of stages followed.
My friend said Let me give you the his
tory Of that affair: | was the eldest brother
of large family; the eldest partner and own
er OF line of boats on The Erie canal, run
ming as all boats did at that time, on the
,abbath. was professor Of religion and
rested myself on the Sabbath, and wherever
| was, attended church. Gu one pleasant
Sabbath III 1926, | was in Albany listening
to sermon from the Rev. Mr..
| was enjoying it, 1t flashed across my mind,
How Inconsistent! | am professor Of re-
ligiou, and would not Of myself violate the
Sabbath, and yet from Albany to Buffalo,
boat, boys, men and horses are all buislv
employedin in my service, and at my command
had no more rest that day Monday NOR
ming said to my partner, who was not u
member oi any church, am troubled about
our boats running on the Sab ath. so am
|, said he, i have been for u long time -
We agreed at once to run our boats no
more on the Sabbath. let what wJuld be the
consequences. Our boats stopped wherever
the Sabbath found them, and all our men
rested.
I'VE encountered the ridcne and censure
Of many, and more predicted our utter ruin.
| The fall OF the year was approaching, and
we met with severe opposition from the nu-
merous boats still running on .he Sabbath.
| was in New York, and to my great surprise
ard annoyance, one Saturday evening, large
handbills were prolusely thrown in the hotel
where | boarded, aud scattered abort the city
signei by the proprietors Of many il not all
the boats that ran OH tile Sabbath warning
the public, and the country merchants in
particular, against our boats, as it would be
impossible for us to get produce AMI merch-
an,lise through the canal before winter would
set in, as we ran only six days in the week
For once | was nervous, and feared that
was ruined, as our success, and indeed on
very existence depended upon our fall busl-
ness | was seated alone, ard despairing.-
The handbills lay around the room and ex-
cited very general observation. Many COM
ments were made upon them and upon oul
enterprise. | was stranger to every one-
A gentlemrn came and seated himself beside
me saying, Are you not Mr. - re-
piled, Yes WELL sir, have large qutn
tity Of goods, which l wish to forward by
your line Of boats on Monday next liz
made no inquiry as TO the price of freight
or terms Of any kind. This cheered me-
On Monday morning, going tn my Office
found it crowded with country. merchants
and others, requesting me to forward tbei
goods, sts % great vas the demand up1