Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1873-05-13
Against Running Sunday Trains.


Editor Spectator:
Some weeks ago I read in your
paper communication on the subject OF run
ming Sunday trains, in which was recommended
free and courteous discussion, in order, 1t pos
sible, to harmonize different views.
Your correspondent, modestly enough, rep
resents himself an unlearned layman, yet it is
manifest, he is gentleman of reading, research
and great familiarity with the views of the Fa-
theirs and the great Reformers of the church
L can truly say, am too unlearned to follow
his footsteps, either to verify or disprove his
statements.
For one, had much rather he had directed
us to the plain teachings of the Scrlptures-to
of Matthew, beginning at the 18th verse, our
Great Teacher says, think not [ am come to
destroy the law or the prophets: am not come
to destroy, but to fulfill
Now, to what law is He referring? To me it
seems manifest it is the Decalogue--the ten
commandments-to which He especially refers,
so would Judge from His continued comments,
where He requires not q mere formal Obser-
vance, but sincere heartfelt obedience. More
over, He says: "Whosoever, therefore, shall
break one of these least commandments, and
shall teach men so he shall be called the least
in the kiogdom of heaven Now know this
iGdSC place III CuG 10 uOU tAot lOt
he is aimiug-yet that would be infinitely bet
ter than the outward alternative. But to be
serious: he should be cautious, lest this fourth
commandment be higher in the scale. If
understand him, he is striking e blow at the
whole Decalogue, as now abrogated. Hsseems
to be desirous that Virginia, at least, should be
shielded from this ancient Jewish code. Ii is
great truth. ''By the deeds of the law no
flesh can be justified" and suppose never has
been since Adams fall, SO deep was that stain
transmitted to his posterity, unless Enoch
might be considered remarkable exception.
Yet, what saith the Scripture? 'Shall we con-
tinue in sin that grace may abound God for
bidi" If the Law is now abrogated, whore is
transgression? Do we place ourselves among
the heather? Although the law is entirely in
sufficient for our salvation, is it therefore abro-
gated by the death of Jesus Christ? l trow
not. 1t is still there, staring us In the face,
with all its force, if for nothing else, to teach
| us what sin is-''Till Heaven and earth pass,
one iot or one title shall in no wise pass from
the law till all be fulfilled.
| The seventh day was hallowed from the crea-
| ton wickedness prevented Its universal obser-
vance. 1t was incorporated In the Jewish
church by the Decalogue-recognized in this
| 5th chapter of Matthew, and other gospels
enforced in the Epistles by frequent exhorta-
t10nS-k6ep my OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES. Ii uots Wuas
| | law, what commandments are these? Will Lay
| man point out?
Our Saviour when on Earth, although Lord
of the Sabbath, was accused of violating its
| sanctity, but who can say that He did. He
| performed acts of kindness and mercy. He
tolerated acts of necessity, but not of daily la
bor, either by precept or example,
| In our days | fear the conscience OF many,
on this subject, is entirely too elongated. Car
| a Christian people deny the binding obligations
of the DecaIogue-the fourth commandment
| included? AN OLD SUBSCRIBER.