Smyrna times., 1876-09-06
A Presbyterian Minister on Camps.

minister of the Presbyterian Church, thus
writes to the fredericksburg Courier:
Mr.. EDITOR AS grow older, it becomes
more and more apparent that the lines of
denominational distinction are fading
away, and where find grace abounding,
there l find Christ ruling, and my only
inquiry Are all who profess that blessed
name governed by the motives of the
Gospel in all they do and say?''
AS minister, l wish to PROFOUND few
questions. In these last days, Is it for the
glory of God, or the glory of men that
campmeetings and ush-meetings are
insisted upon? The time has been when
scattered population were more effectually
reached and preached to in these general
gatherings, when church buildings were
few, the ministers were limited in number,
and in many localities the people did not
hear the word of God preached only at
long intervals, and it was precious in those
days. The former things have passed
away, and the glory of them, and surely
there is no necessity new, as with the
increse of population, churches have
multiplied, and the ministry, hundred
fold. Very few, if any, may not be accom-
modated at convenient points with the
ministration of Gods word. We therefore
infer that very great majority 60 to the
camps for other reasons than to hear the
Gospel. Some tell me they want the ride
and recreation, others, to visit friends,
others again, 60 to see and be seen. Now,
no reasonable person should object to these
motives, but let us call things by their
right names. One fact is very marked,
during the continuance of these severel
campemeetlpgs, the churches are well-nich
forsaken on the Sabbath, and the preacher
goes to his appointments feeling that he
spends his time and strength for naught-
and this is not all. On the Holy Sabbath.
when God has commanded rest to man
and beast, every available team is pressed
into service. Should you question the
multitude they will say, we are seeking
our own selfish pleasure, fun and folly,
chat and gossip, and to show ourselves.
Why, Mr.. Editor, only few days since. |
passed such camp on my way to a
funeral, while at the time one of the most
eloquent men on the Peninsula was preach.
ing, and yet full half the people were
roaming the woods, or sitting in their
wagons, feasting and having a gond time
generally. One man had shouldered an
immense water mellon and marched off,
with dozen men following after. Ice
cream and lemonade were for sale, dinners
were for sale, and n whole-retinue were
serving in cooking and setting tables.
washing dishes, buying and selling and
getting gain on the Sabbath as on other
days. ! thought of what God spake by his
servant Of old, after referring to the sacred.
ness and sanctity of his Holy Sabbath, 81
testified against them in that day wherein
they sold victnals." And more than this,
Mr.. Editor, as if it were not enough, the
| rolling stock Of the railroad is set in motion
engineer and fireman, brakeman and
conductor, are kept from early morn till
late at night, from their lawful rest, and all
the agents along the line are pressed into
service, tho roar and rattle of trains, and
the shrill whistle of the locomotive are
heard, disturbing tho quiet and worship ol
the sanctuary, and demoralizing all the
people. In effect, saying, no God, nc
Sabbath, no Bible, no accountability and
judging from the numbers who patronize
this agency, the people say AMEN. Is all
this for the glory of God, or for profit to the
Railroad Co.?
We threw up our hands and shouted fol
gladness when thirty States voted to close
the gates of the Centennial grounds on the
Christian Sabbath that all the world
especially the heathen world might know
what has made us to differ from otbe,
nations of the earth, What mighty
moral poWeF has beep felt by that one act
and God has honored, and will honor il
for all time. Those who advocated the
opening of the gates on the Sabbath were
frank to press their claims, on the ground
OF the pleasure afforded TO so many thou.
sands, and the eight States that voted fol
opening the gates, did so because it would
be profitable to the Exposition. Pleasure
and profit were the great considerations,
What shall we say when all this is done
under the spurious pleadings and pretext
OF religion? The end sanctifies the means,
and getting and making money is altogether
right, on the Sabbath, as on other days Of
the week, only it must be called by another
name. How do these persons read and
understand sthe Fourth Commandment
Remember the Sabbath day to keep il
holy. Six days shalt thou labor and do MI
thy work; But the Seventh day is the
Sabbath of the Lord thy God; in it, thou
shalt not do any work, thou nor thy son,
nor thy daughter, thy man servant, mol
thy maid-servant, nor thy OK, nor thy ass
nor any of thy cattle, nor thy stranger
that is within thy gates, that thy man
servant and thy maid.servant may rest a,
well as thou" "Ye shall keep my Sabbath
and reverence my Sanctuary, am the
y