The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1861-05-16
The sabbath In war.

No just Interpretation of the law of ths Sab
bath would apply It's provisions to the emergen
cies in individual or national life which involy,
vital interests and necessitats resort to 18th,
first law Of nature" "The Lord Of the Sab
bath" has placed this question beysnl doubt
by miracle and express instruction. All thai
Is aecsssa,y to the public aioty in the gather.
ing Of troops and the movement OF armies, |,
innOcent because OF the Necessity. And amonI
/ a Sabbath. loving and Ssbba'h keeping people
there ray well be q charitable i,a,s uent Of any
/ seeming latitude in the use oi sacred tins fol
wariAe Preparations IN ateassn of unparalele,
patriotic enthusiasm, aroused by the suddeI
app chcnsion OF overwhelming national dan
gers.
But war does not repeal the Law OF the Sab
bath. IL remains written on the muscles and
nerves that wie,d the weapons Of tho battle
field. II ~ inscribed on Tho moral ratur. oi
every compctont volunteer. II flames from
every soldiers knnp'l,k which con aims --u'
every knapsack should-the Book Of books. II
II lluences tho plans and the orders OF every
1iso General in the army of a Christian Ro-
public. beyond tho limo If ueceSsi." mere"
and s'lt defcnso the blessings and rcstr,in,I; !,
Of tho Sabbath sholli visit and con,rol tbs
Cam. As they comfort ard overshadow The
peaceful abodss or unarmei citizens. Thus
may citizen spldierly esrape tho peculiar
tcmptati9ns Of tho tented iicld; be norycd Tor
hereic deeds and return tO their homes with
such after record Of their history as is
given OF fCuoMwsLL's army oi Christian veto
rams: FIFTY thousand men acc IstOned u the
Profession OF arms were at once thrown on the
world. In few months there remained not q
trace Indicating that the most formidable army
inlthe worldhad been absorbed into tho mass Of
the community. Ihe royalists themselves con-
fes.od that, In every department Of honest In.
dustry, the discarded warrior prosperod be-
yond Other mon, that none was charged with
any theft or robbery, that none was heard 10
ask an aims, and that, II baker, a mason, or
a wagner, attracted notice by his diligsace
and soorety, he was In all probability one Of
ULIv, rs old soldiers"
But whatever may be the rale for the camp,
duty and safety alike r, ,quire increased guards
against Sabbath profaDatioDs among civilians
ia the time Of war. Never more than when
cytraOi dinsfy cares and eXcitements almCs.
mad den the brain and the deepest passions Of
the soul surge like ths ocean, are the stll Sab.
nah hours needed to rest ore exhausted na-
lure calm this feyercd pulse, and compose the
p rtlrbed spirit. That patriotism win burn
bri, hie,t and last longest which kindlss lts
irrs and renews while IL chastoas its inspira.
tins at tho sltars Of God.
And Society re-eminently needs tho protec-
ti3n 0f the civil Sabbath during tho struggle
which is TO decide our national destiny. The
Tendencies Of war are In the direction OF dsmor
alization and lawlsssness. Intsmperance, Sab
bath-breakipg and kindred vices follow 10 It's
train. Plots against the public peace and safe
ty multiply. The day of popular leisure be-
comes the day Of popular danger, unless tho
Laws guarding II from temp tation and folly ara
chcreetly but firmly enforced, with the ap'
rrobation and support of all law-abiding eiti-
zss.
is TO be,psak this support for authorities
ck,rR, d vi b the execution Of our laws, and dis
posed TO maintain their vigorous enforcement,
that this appeal is respectfully addresstd TO the
rubuc We have gained too msch in the i'm
croy,d 1uiet, order and morals Of the city, by
The recent operation Of tho Sunday laws, to
relax effort at time Of all others when law
Isssp.ss needs to be checked, and vice aud
rr me should 10 restrained. Among other OBJ
yicus evils.to be aested, there will be few dis
.snting voices to tho reasonable demand that
he Sunday nsws-crying nuisance, now effect
nslly checked for two years, shall be utterly
Impressed that the Sunday dram shops shall
70 closed and kept closed that Sunday thea
res and kindred places OF public amusement
ball no restrained ard that all ralpabls
violations OF our statutes for tho protscti6n OF
the public peace and order on Sunday shall be
faithfully enforced. To this end, the example
OF all good citizens, and their cooperation
sith our public authorities should contribute.
Christian citizens especially, tbas stand
pledged. The pulpit and the pres. will echo
md sustain this sppsaL Thus, whether the
Il Gods favor and Of our fdslity will abide,
and the blessings associated with II In promise,
prophecy and Providence shall bs perpstuated
Trough coming generations Of prosperity and
pace. NoKAAS WArrs. CAairmaa, sabtatA
CpmUwNse.