The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1875-07-15

Sabbath, by I1e M0SG Dfalen Yl0lGUlOIlS Oh Tile
injunction to keep the Sabbath day holy. And
we may trace many Of the evils that aff1ict
communities to this reckless and persistent
disregard of the Divine law, for whether we
acknowledge it OF not, there is always pen
atty attending such transgression, either d.
rectly or remotely. Passing along the streets
of Southern city, not long since, we observed
a number of persons responding quietly to the
call of the church bells, and on the same
streets, and at other prominent localities, nu-
merous bar-rooms and beer saloons were open
ed, filed with persons OF both races, drinking
and conducting themselves as though they rec
ognized no Sabbath, and felt not the restraint
of the divine commandment. The business Of
that city has in a great degree left it. Empty
houses, and rooms and buildings to let, were
seen in every direction. Has not the constant
violation Of the Sabbath day had something to
do with directing the current OF trade, and
Frustrating commercial interests? We certain
ly believe that where an enlightened commu-
nifty tolerates such fragrant sinfulness, there is
a direct evidence of the displeasure Of the
Great Arthur of the Sabbath manifested.
The Sabbath has been set apart as a day OF
rest, The attributes and energies Of the Inf
mite recognized the necessity of observing a
cessation Of labors on one day in the week.
After He had consummated the creation OF the
heaven and the earth, and the things that in
habited it, and made the armament and stud
ed it with stars, and Sun and Moon, and fin
ished the Work, in the formation Of man, she
rested on the seventh day from all his work he
had made.''
It is not admissible that the Divine energies
needed rest. 1t was simply d cessation o&the
labor for one day in the seven, and this act
constituted one of the laws that was to govern
the beings he had placed on the earth-''Re--
member the Sabbath day to keep it holy"
The absolute necessity for that law is attest
ed by every honest toiler. The weaay muscle
and brain and nerves welcome the Sabbath as
the sweetest consolation Of life, and he who
does not appropriate 1t in remembrance of the
goodness and kindness of the Great Arthur OF
it, assumes responsibility that will be follow
ed by the infection of penalty as sure as the
laws Of God are immutable.
Mans mission is to labor six days in the
week. and if his time is employed so that he
dees not feel the need of rest on the Sabbath,
it is very questionable whether he has been
rightly engaged. There is no more gracious
anticipation to the honest teller, than the COM
ing of the Sabbath day. when he can divorce
himself from the cares and strifes OF every
day life, and calmly and secretly rest from his
labors, turning his thoughts to other and high
er and holier considerations than the mere mat
tiers of the flesh. The man who does not well
come the Sabbath as a day Of rest-who does
not look forward to its coming with fondness
and pleasure, knows but little Of the duties and
objects of life, and feels but lightly its just and
legitimate responsibilities.
There is no sin more fragrant and ineXcusa-
BILE than Sabbath breaking, and SO long as we,
as nation, or as communities, Or individuals,
persist in desecrating this day. SO long may we
expect punishment in one form or another
We wonder why it is that we are met by adj
versity aud misfortune, when, we think, we
have used all the precaution and judgment we
possess to forefend them. Do we ever investi-
gate our relations to the Sabbath day. and how
we have obeyed the law to keep it holy? We
might find in this a solution OF some OF the
mishaps that befall us, and be taught that it is
better for the affairs of this lie, to say nothing
Of the finsl account we will have to render, that
we pay religious respect to the Holy Sabbath.
Go to the workshops, to the busy marts of
trade, to the garnet, where the weary hand has
been plying the needle from Monday morning
till Saturday night for q scapty living, and
there is but one voice in thanks for the ''rest''
of the Sabbath. But how do we appropriate
this day Of SACRED rest :? Let the conscience of
each individual answer. And then when we
look beyond this little span of life, and recog-
nize that the ''rest'' of the Sabbath is typical
of that other ''rest," where the wicked cease
from troubling and the weary are greeted by a
perpetual cessation from toll, there surely
should be enough in the reflection to stimulate
us to proper observance of the Sabbath Day,
THE JUBILEE SINGERs.--The celebrated
Jubilee Singers, who have afforded such pleas
ant entertainments for the citizens Of Staunten
for the past week, will give their last exhibit
tions in this city in Town Hall. Thursday and
the excellent and cheering vocal and instru-
mental music furnished by these songsters of
NATURES teaching,th object for which they ap-
pear is sufficient in itself to appeal earnestly
to the liberal patronage OF our citizens. 1t will
be remembered that the congregation of the
colored Methodist church have contracted to
erect spacious brick house of worship on Au-
gusta street, at a cost Of $4,000, and that they
have, by their own hber&lity and providence,
already raised 81, 600 OF this amount. They
are very anxious to have secured the full sum
of 1000 so that they may be able to enter
their church on the day Of its dedication free
from all encumbrances, and there worship s,n-
embarrassed by the reflection that it is not
paid for. The entertainments of the Jubilee
Singers are to assist in raising this amount,and
whatever encouragement that is given them
will be that much towards the accomplishment
Of this highly praiseworthy object. With this
simple Statement, we have no doubt a liberal
attendance will be given at Town Hall tonight
and tomorrow night.
PERsoNAL.-Maj. B. T. Bagby, and lady
left for the White Sulphur Springs Tuesday.
Gen. John Echols left on Tuesday morning
for Capon Springs.
| Col. N. B. Hill and lady, of Richmond,