The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1867-12-25
How r Was Cured of Travelling on
Sunday.

Yes, Deacon, have been forever cured
of Sunday travelling. Just take this
easy chair by the fire and I'll tell you
how it was.
Last Summer, when business was dull
and l was feeling rather blue, Mr.. -,
one of our richest merchants, met me
one day and asked if 1 could attend to
some business for him that would require
me to take the boat for New York that
night. l was pleased with the offer and
accepted it without hesitation. l returned
home late that afternoon from my office,
having arranged my business matters
with the expectation of being at home
on the following Monday. This would
require me to leave New York Saturday
night, thus reaching home early Sabbath
morning. 1 confess to some scruples of
conscience, but l tried to quiet them with
such reflections as these: Well this is a
peculiar case. must be here to meet
my notes on Monday; surely it will be
better to travel few hours on the Sab
bath than fail to meet my business en-
gagements. Then, too, this offer will
bring me large amount of money, so
that l can increase my contribution
TO FOREIGN Missions next Sabbath. /
knew my good little wife would oppose
my plans, but l thought | could easily
convince her that they were all for the
best.
On entering the sitting room l ex-
claimed, well, Mary, am bound for
New York tonight, and should like to
have my bag ready as soon as possible,
as must call at Mr.. Rs office on
my way to the boat. As my going to
New York was no unusual occurrence, my
wife made no remark but commenced
packing my bag. While doing SO she
asked, "Do you think three shirts will
be enough?" ''Threel why | shall not
need more than one, for | am coming
home tomorrow night" must confess
| WINGED little as l saw the look of as
constituent and griei that came over my
wife's face, "Why, Henry said she,
"yOu surely are not coming home Sun
day morning2" "Why, what else can 1
do? To day is Friday, and l must be
here to meet my notes Monday" ''Why,
Henry, 1 have never known your bust
ness to compel you to travel on the Sab
bath 5efore-what has happened?"
then told her what rich offer Mr.
R had made me, how much his favor
and patronage would help me as bust
ness man, how much more l could do for
my family and the cause of Christ, if l
accepted this offer. But every argument
failed; my wife could neither be convinced
or persuaded. When l spoke of making
more money for my family, she replied,
Henry, l would rather take my two
children, each by the hand, and walk
with them to the poor-house, than have
you make money at the sacrifice of Chris
tian principle"
AT last, when every argument and en-
treaty had failed to change my decision,
shSana near to me, her eyes filled with
tca7s.@ putting her hand on my should
er, said, Henry, have one last appeal
to make to you: if you have any love
for me, or regard for my happiness, l beg
you to give up this plan
l tell you, Deacon, l couldn't stand
that. So l said, Il give it up, Mary, 1
give it up. You always will have your
way, but bless God, it is always the right
way" My next step of course was to
inform Mr.. R. of my change of pur,
pose. This 1 Immediately did. When
l returned home and gave my wife an
OF the interview, she said, "Why, |
Henry, you did not tell Mr.. R why
you did not accept his offer. 80, well,
that was not necessary, Business men
have not time to hear all the pros and
cons for ones conduct" Well, Henry,
now l want you to go to Mr.. R to-
morrow morning, and tell him why you
did not go. Let him see that you act
from Christian principle
l thought this rather foolish within,
but willing to go the whole figure, 1 pro-
missed to crafty it. This 1 did on the
morning, and was surprised to
earn that Mr.. R had decided to
oOstpOrYthe business so that l could at
I