The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1869-06-05
Meeting in Behalf of the Observance of the
Sabbath.

Meeting in Behalf of the Observance of the
Sabbath.
At large meeting of prominent clergy
men and others, held in Baltimore, on the
25th ult., in reference to a better observance
of the Sabbath day, the following resolr-
tons offered by John c. Bridges, were
adopted:
HcsoEged. That the sacred observance OF
the Sabbath OF weekly rest day, one OF the
first and richest gifts of our beneticent
Creator, declared by our Lord Jesus Christ
/ to have been made for man, respected by
/ our forefathers in State and national regu-
lations, and vitality related to the true mora
| and civil and social welfare of our country
/ and to the prosperity that attracts hither sc
many from foreign shores, is not to be sac
raficed to the selfish purposes Of individual,
or companies, but to be seduously main,
/ tanned by all good citizens and faithfully
| transmitted to posterity.
ResoEced, That the benefit of strict int
universal observance of the Sabbath fal
outweighs any Inconvenience it may occa
| sion, and far transcendS in Importance sec
tartan or partisan considerations; and thai
the limits OF human endurance of exertiol
the advantage that accrues to the year
| whole amount Of work, trade, and business
by their entire suspension on that day
! that the state of society. where Sunday i:
profaned with revelry and dissipation, al
accord in showing its violation to conflict
with physical and financial interests, anC
only to be sanctioned by short-sighte(
policy opposed to true craftsmanship anC
philanthropy, as well as to right reason
and religion.
! Rssolced, That the argument that The
working people may spend Meir Sabbaths
in worldly pleasure is an insulting insinua,
ton that they have no higher obligations,
and are not to avail themselves of the
Heaven-ordained opportunity to seek the
rest and riches beyond this toilsome life
and that so far as its influences tend by the
habits induced, and the drain upon then
weekly earnings, to prevent them from
ever having time for recreation during the
week.
! ResoIred, That as an undisturbcd Sabbath
/ is 4 public good, and rs one encroachment
upon it conduces to Others every device OF
INSCRIPTIONS persons to profit themselves
| by taking advantage Of the suspension OF
! business by others on that day-such as
/ opening cigar, confectionery, or drinking
| places, the keeping of poor boys at selling
papers, Sunday excursions by steamboat
/ companies or othcrs-is not only Il fragrant
infraction of law, but an outrage upon the
rights of dependent employees and upon
conscientious, law-abiding citizens whose
trade is thereby diminished.
/ Resolred, That the refusal of our State
! Legislature to repeal the restrictions of the
| Sunday laws, commands public respect fol
the enlightened craftsmanship therein
evinced, and that while every public Officer
said laws, promotive of the common wei
fare, is worthy the esteem. support and co,
/ operation of all good citizens, positive rep,
rehension belongs to such as are derelict
in that duty.
| Rev DR.. J. Edwards, Of the Second Pres,
/ byterian Church, was introduced as the first
speaker. The question of observing the
/ Sabbath. he said, was one Of no ordinary
kind, or Of no ordinary interest. 1t iden,
/ titled itself with all manner of interests
and the object of the meeting was tC
strengthen public sentiment in reference
thereto. 1t was :. question of morals and
money as well as religion The question
of the Sabbath was pertinent, though there
was but one man Twin" whom it Affected
1t was a matter of 10 al, sectional, secta
rian and religious interest.
The first day man ever saw was the Sab
bath: he drew his first breath on that great
day when The Creator rested from the works
he had completed Blot out the Sabbath
or depreciate and lower it, and you lower
all moral considerations: let man forget he
had a beginning. of which the Sabbath is ;
perpetual reminder. and he will forget ht
has an end. The observance of the Sab
bath promoted self-rcspect and domestic
happiness, and it was necessary to give one
day i'll seven as a day of rest. The Sabbath
is the poor mans heritage and earthly hope
All religious influence is taken away whel
the holy precinct of the day of God is i'll
vaded.
Hon. |. d. Jones was next introduced
He regretted to see marked evidences o
decline of respect for the Sabbath Socic
ty, he remarked, must be governed by laws
and there is need for laws to protect til,
Sabbath rs for the protection of life
Indeed, the Sabbath involved 50 many in
terests that in maintaining it all were pro
NOTED. public leader in Spain had re
Gently declared in an assembly of his peo
pie that the two countries in Europe tina
enjoy the tluest liberty are England an,
Switzerland, where the Sabbath was mos
strictly observed. lie held that the charg,
sometimes made that the advocates of Tn
Sabbath were disposed to unite church an,
State was the very opposite of the fact
In rural districts, he said, the day was KEEP
more sacred than III the cities. To max
an attack upon the Sabbath as divine i'll
stitution was to undermine all of thci