The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1876-12-27
SUNDAY IN ENGLAND. y

uS6Q UloCtlMlA1bolys oo w tuO "AAsOA9 WV
thus distinguishes it from "Sabbaah," is it
self suggestive Of lax views. These are
obvious, even in the she terms in honor of
the day, used in the article. The scope of
this discussion is a brief history of the move
meDt commenced half century ago and
zealously prosecuted, for setting aside the
force Of al law sad custom by which the
proper outside religious observance Of the
Sabbath has been so long preserved in Eng
lsnds
"Ths Sabbasarian restrictions on the pri-
vase life of the citizens having been re-
moved, temperance advocate unsucceasfully
attempted to secure parliamentary authority
for " opening the British Museum and other
exhibitions of Art and Nature on Sunday"
on the alleged ground Of afording certain
classes relief from temptations to intemper-
ance. This was followed by petitions to the
Queen, and accompanied by the formation
of societies to enlighten (?) the public mind.
These efforts, with reports and addresses on
the subject, have resulted in partially effect
ing the object, so fer as the action of loeal
aud private authorities could aid. But thus
far, it would seem the English Government
has declined to follow the example of France,
where for centuries, we are told, Z" ell
manner of recreations and amusements have
been open TO the public" Perhaps the Eng
lish rulers remember how France, in the
frenzy Of Liberalism" abolished the Sab
bath once, and al its religious institutions,
and that the result had been written in let
tiers Of blood, which the peniteDtial tears of
nearly a century have not suficed to oblite-
rate.
But this movement looks further for the
Improvement of the poor, dear labOring peO-
pie! It is urged, and with partial success,
under the patronage of leading men of
science-as Huxley, Darwin, Haywood, and
Balm, with sundry reverend gentlemen-that
the Sunday evenings in winter be apprO-
pristed for promoting scientific, literary aud
art education, and that large numbers of
those "who now attend no place of public
worship" chow considerate y "would listen
to scientific discourses" on the wonders Of
the univoIse;" Saus producing il their minds
reverence and love of the De w &c."-
As a specimen Of the kind of intellectual and
moral nutriment provided for these starving
crowds, take some Of the themes discussed :
early History of the World" not that in
Genesis -"R Religious progress outside the
Christian pale-amODg Budhists, Brahmins,
Parsees, Mohammedans, &C." not the fruits
Of the missionary work of the Rebers, MOrri-
sons, Martyrs, Careys and Duffi-the Jud-
sons, Newslls, GoOdells and LindleyS. We
offer few suggestions respecting this effort.
1. The religious opinions at the bottom of
it are set forth thus To belief in the
stereotyped form Of creation originated by
the genius Of an ancient race so the Jews
Of Moses day were not set of Barbarians j
9" a belief, embodying the special sanctity Of
portion of time, the obligation to follow
the example of the Creator Of the universe
by resting in it, and the doctrine affirming
the inherent deprayity Of the human race
al this is the bitter pill -"has succeeded
the knowledge that all time is sacred, that
oo8mioal operations are ceaaeless," [pity
some better men are not part of these COS
mical operations" "and that capa
city for selE-imprOvement" [if moral be
meant, produce an example, lis the dstin
gushing characteristic of the human race"
The teachings of science or the book of na-
ture, are characterised as slater Gospel"
Here you have a distinct reputation or re-
lection of Scriptural teaching and authority,
another Bible, "another G9spel-which is
not another "a Christless Christianity, NOR,
atty without religion, heaven without hOl
ness, and bell without horrors. For We are
told the "Sssbath of the soul embraces "all
time and cannot be more holly spent than in
developing human intelligence, in the con-
temptation of the beautiful, the acquisition
and dissemination Of knowledge, and in learn
i0g to understand the laws which regulate
this life and the world we inbabic"- nothing
Of world to come, another life, and the glO-
rifying of God. And then on the one hand,
nothing "can be done for the people, unless
we give them something to interest their
minds better than Beer and the Bible" (ele-
CANT ALTERATION and on the other, sour
Sundays are to the poorer classes, "miser-
able mookeries Of the rights of man" But
after al the "centuries" of freedom from
restrictions, as to Sunday amusementS, in
France, the sole f;uit Of which there is any
boast Is q lessening of "toil" on that day.
AS to moral benefits, not word, and for the
best reason-there is none to utter.
,. Yet our advocates for d" a free Sunday"
do not propose the abolition of laws prohibi
ting labor On no mans physical system
requires the weekly rest. But they do not
want a "holy resting" and spending the
whole time in the public and private exer
cises of Gods vozship"-the exceptions of
works Of necessity and mercy being under,
stood. Very WE'LL Do places Of amusement
require no attendants? Do steamboats, and
cars move without engineers, brakesmen and
conductors, captains, pilots, and crews? Be-
sides, are they sure that the hearers of lee