The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1876-12-06


greatest amount of zeal in either direction
cannot atone for this decoration of holy
time UOgodly men recall the inconsistency
of Christians, they sneer at the Christianity
which allows its professors to do just as the
world does, and they turn away from the
truths which they attempt to inculcate.
Christian men and women do not appre-
ciate as they ought their Influence. They
are moulding character every hour, they are
helping precious souls heavenward, or they
are placing stumbling blocks in their way.
In connection with this subject of Sab
bath deseoratiOn by Christians, and its In
fuence upon others, would add this incl
dent. A gentleman engaged in large man
ufacturing concern, was in the practice of
taking frequent business journeys, and in
order to hasten his return to his family, he
not unfrequently travelled on the evening of
the Lords day. His little boy, on one of
thsss s~e1sioas, said TO Ais l4amma, How is
it that dear papa, who is such a good man,
travels on Sundays?' "My dear, it is be-
cause he has so much to do. If he acted
otherwise he would not have q minute to
spare for his family" "Msmma," answered
the boy, "does God allow us to break His
commandments when it suits our pleasure or
our business?" On his return the lady re-
peated to her husband the child's remarks.
"My dear" he replied, 4" it is the last time.
Tell my boy stand corrected. l trust l
shall never again do what may prove STUN
bling g-block to our children. They shall
never have to say that their fathers exam
pie led them astray."
The fact is, thousands of even Christian
parents are too Indifferent as regards their
influence upon their children, in this matter
of Sabbath observance, and also as to various
other practices in which they indulge.
3. Once more there is speciOus argu-
ment which some Ctristians(? p use in refer
ence to Sabbath observance, or rather desc
Grafton, and also their attendance upon
worldly amusements. They put it in some
such form as this: "YOur conscience is no
guide or standard for me. If my conscience
says there is no imprOpriety in visiting, for
example, the fountain at Versailles on the
(the only day on which the water is
turned on,) l can go without harm" And he
regards this argument as unanswerable, and
looks at you with pity because your narrow
mind cannot grasp it. Another says: "If
my conscience intimates that can 90 to the
theatre now and then; that it is not wrong
for me, then shall go, it matters not what
others think or say
And what shall we conclude as to the ten
dency of the times, when distinguished
professor of one of our Theological Semina-
ries asserts that the fourth commandment is
abolished, and "that the whole question of
any Sabbath, as to the time, the
extent, method, &C., must be left to the in
dividual conscience2" This, it strikes me, is
a conscience darkened by human philosophy
and not enlightened by the Word of God;
and whittier will such conscience with its
plausible, but false, unscriptursl intimations,
cad man
Think also of the demOralizing influence
If such men and their teachings. Earnest,
faithful ministers and people are sneered at
rs singular, and Over-righteous, and old fog
7isb, because they will persist in walking in
he old paths.
One of the causes of this state of things,
{ seems to me, is familiarity with European
principles and customs, attained either by
reading or travel, especially by the latter.
Very few who have mingled with the people
If the continent, have returned uncontami-
lated in this respect. This is the result of
ny own observation. Girls with immature
minds, and boys with unsettled moral or re-
igiOus principles are taken abroad for the
of their education, and the result
IS in ninety-nine cases out of hundred they
not only lose their attachment to old and fa-
niliar scenes, and acquire restlessness of
mind which leads them to seek constant
change and recreation, but they are led to
adopt opinions and practices which unfortu-
natsly they do not leave behind, but bring
home with them, to their own moral detri-
ment and to the grief of every true Christian
friend. And thus our nation, through this
imitation of foreign manners and customs, in
regard to dress and social life and irrever-
ence for Gods day and Word, is passing into
a condition which ought to alarm every true
patriot who desires to perpetuate our insti
tutOns, aud cause every true Christian to
tremble for the ark of God. MCNEss.
We MUST be drinking the living water
from the smitten rock, or we cannot speak of
its refreshing power. We must be hiding our
guilty souls in the wounds of Jesus, or we
cannot with joy speak of the peace and rest
to be found there. This is the reason why
unfaithful ministers are cold and barren in
their labor. They speak, like Balsam, of
Saviour whose grace they do not feel. They
speak, ike Caiaphss, of the blood of Christ,