The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-05-25
HUMANrz.NG SUNDAY.

The Common Council of the city OF
Boston have just passed resolution to
open its splendid free library on Sunday.
The Cooper Institute library is to be open
cd on that day as usual. @
Birmingham, England, opens its picture
galleries and libraries, also, every Sunday.
These are healthy signs OF q rebellion
against that heathenish observance OF Sun
day. which Christ rebuked in his time, and
which especially wrongs the working
classes, who have no other day in which
t, seek places of improvement and inno-
cent recreation. A cotemporary deprecates
this action as being ga dangerous conces-
sion to the spirit of worldlinrss." All ra-
tional religionists should greet al as an evil
dence that true religion is entering into the
hearts of men, and softening them to feel
the needs of the toiling millions, to whom
the Sunday may be made fuller of bless
ings by charging and elevating its privi-
leges. The Sabbath is the one precious
and priceless boon that our Christian civili-
cation has bequeathed to labor. ~
On one day in seven, it may fold its lard
hands in peace, unbend the strain of its
weary muscles, and lift up its bowed head
to the glorious heavens. On that day, re-
deemed from the servitude Of toll, it may
gather its loved ones about it, and revive
the family circle, too often broken, in the
fierce struggle for bread, during the six
DAYS of the week. And so we would fill
the Sunday with. all that books, music
painting, and eloquence can bring to make
it minister to human improvement and en-
ioyment. Jesus took the Sabbath out o.
the hands OF the Pharisees and brought Il
down to the common needs OF human
ity. His life was a constant protes
against slayish observance of days ant
ceremonies. He lived among the work
ing people, and understood their needs
He ate bread with carpenters and fisher
men. publicans and sinners, bringing tn
light of his divine presence into humbl
homes. and frightening every human LII
that came within his circle of iniuenc
with new hopes and visions Of the sublm
possibilities of existence here and here
after. But his followers have too ofte
forgotten the spirit of his life IN The form
which grew up with the church.
Puritanism was the natural outgrowth
excessive devotion to ceremonial religion
Its ''blue laws'' rose in exaggerated cons'
ouence over the beautiful humanitie'
Barren, rigid, forbidding, they crushe
gentIer spirits and drove the stronge
into doubt and atheism. Puritanism foun
no home in learned and highly eivilize
Germany. Among her most orthodox an
unchallanged Christians the Sabbath is kel
,, as day for rational enjoyment, as well
sacred rest aud religious observance. IL
quite time for us to initiate an example N
less in harmony with the spirit of Christ
religion, than with the dictates OF an el
lightened Judgment, remembering that tt
Sabbath was made for man and not ma
:. for the Sabbath. ...
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0 TIE Dispatch complains Of our "wretcl
ed ballot system'-a ''system of coward
n ice and fraud" as it is pleased to call it
L and of the delay it necessitates in countir
d the votes. We think we can suggest
,f ,.o,,, o,,, ,,,;tho,t oon,y IN the npiSlatur