The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-01-20
The Nabbufh Guesfinn

There is Il good deal of discussion among the
clergy Of Scotland upon what is called " the
Sabbath question: and the same subject has
caused much Commotion among the divines of
phiiadclpha, in connection with the Stnddy
Press. There have been various meetings of
dtvncs IN that city, representing some of the
principal denominations, 1T which energetic
speeches We're made, aid strong resolutions
passed, in condemnation OF the Sunday news
paper published hy FoRNEY. One of the divines
expressed his great contempt for Mr.. FoRSEY
in This wise q" | do not consider Mr.. FoRSEY
or his influence worth 4 snap''--sUiting the
action 10 the word by 4 vigorous snap Of his
fingers. Another said: - Let the ins titution at
"tho corner of Seventh and Chestnut referring
" 10 the Samdcy Press, and all connected there
with, be placed on the side of Satan, where
they properly belonged Rev. DIR. JuxKIN
presented a memorial or protest against the
running of city cars on Sunday, and motion
was made that this document be circulated for
signatures in the various churches of the city
upon the next Sabbath day. This was objected
10 10y another clergyman, who "did not con-
slider ii right to have the petition circulated
and signed upon the Sabbath day in the
churches. He thought il unnecessary 10 per
. form "A labor which might Us well be done
upon secular day.
A good cause is often Injured by the injudi-
cousncss and ultr;ism of its advocates. Cha
Tlty is the greatest Of Christian graces, and
the chief Of the Apostles has declared that
without This all other works and obSeryances
are of no value. 1t strikes us that the Phila-
dclphia diyin" who handed over the esta-
L!ishmemt cat the corner of Seventh and Chest
nut - 10 the devil was guilty of a greater vlo-
lation of the spirit of his religion than is
iuvolyed in the publication of Il Sunday news
paper. The idea of the other gentleman, that
ii would be- sinful even TO sign petition on
the Sabbath for the better observance of the
Lords day, was worthy of the age of 90 Blue
Laws. We dare say he has collections taken
up in his church on Sundays, which is quite rs
much an act of labor We should think, TO
most of the congregation, Judging from the
amount of the contributions, as the mexpen-
siNe process Of signing petition. These men
are, no doubt sincere but fanatcism some
times works as much injury TO religion as infl-
deity.
In Scotland, Rev NORMAN MCLEOD, an emil
nent minister Of the Presbyterian Church,
supported by distinguished divines of the
same denomination, has taken ground against
those clergymen of his Church who oppose the
running of cars III Scotland on Sunday. Ihere
IL no land which has been more rigid III its
observance of the Sabbath than Scotland, and
no denomination more dis stinguished for Il zeal
Gus adherence to the national feelings on that
subject than the Prcsby yterians. The introduc-
ton Of railway travelling on Sunday has
therefore caused a good deal of excitement
there among religious circles. DIR. MCLEOD
contends that the Jewish sabbath, or Seventh
lay of the Week, was not intended Tor per-
petual Observance but that it was binding
alone upon the Jewish people. The Lord 5
Day the first day of the week, commemora-
ting the rising of our Lord from the grave, was
substituted for the Jewish Sabbath, and Is
sacred festival. dedicated to Christian wor-
ship and thanksgiving, but not subject 10
the rigid rules that governed the Jewlsh
Sabbath We believe that the same views
are held by the Continental and English
churches That one day in seven should
be a period of repose from servile toll isequally
.9.r,w of nature and OF revelation; and that 1t
Should be observed in public worship is essen
tal TO the preservation of religious faith. But
beyond this, DR.. MCLEOD and others would
not feel themselves warranted, by Scripture
and Christian antiquity, in going. Ihey holo
that "the Sabbath was made for man, ana not
man for the Sabbath" At the same time
where the public sentiment of 4 community
l. sensitive upon such matter, as the pubnea-
ton of Sunday newspapers and the running
Of railway cars ii might be wise 10 bear In
mind ST. PArL's injunction: not to offend weak
consciences even i'll things which may be con-
sidered indifferent.