Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1877-04-28
LOOSE VIEWS OF THE
SABBATH.

laNA AeNaA " tAANAA " 80 Ntaf- W AetN
follows: 81 can't do anything. here, +
brother. The Sabbath is treaied
more like grand gala-day, than like
a day of hallowed rest. 4 great part
of the people stay in their houses N
the forenoon, reading newspapers,
and dime novels, and playing cards ;
and in the afternoon, TIE men enter
tain themselves by fishing for rats,
with double barrellcd shot guns -
What wonder is 1t that the heart Of
this poor Christian laborer should be |
discouraged, and faint, Under such
circumstances? Since the Puritans
disembarked from the MayGowcr, in
1920, the New England Sabbath, has
been peculiarly sacred, to every
enlightened mind. Our old Fore
fathers Of this school, regarded such
a day as an institution. And they
not only rcyercd it, but also cxerted
themselves for its maintenance. Such
a course of action would be perfectly
natural to them. They cultivated
supreme devotion to Cod, and his
moral laws. Such homage prompted
them to think first Of building a
sanctuary Of worship, even before
erecting houses in which to make their
own homes. This dauntess faith in
God, enabled them to grow up into &
fine stability Of character. And their
clnging to the truth, was like the
rock which is SO fixed in its foundu
tons, that neither wind nor wave can
move it. Men who now claim 10 be
progressive, and modern in their ideas,
r,dicule the so-callcd bigotry Of
Puritanjsm. And they are mercilessly
severe in criticiSing such statutes as
are termed the Connecticut Blue Laws.
But they ere apt to forget thatShe
principles Of Standish had no tri1ing
influence in melting the patriots Of
'76, to struggle for their freedom.
No intelligent person can believe that
the Sabbath is as we'll observed in
New England, as it was fifty years
ago. AT that period, hundreds of
people would reverence this diyinely
instituted day, and the sanctuary
services connected with it. And they
would show this respect, even though
they did not pretend to have the least
interest in religion. Various causes,
however, have changed large mum
her Of the customs Of the inhabitants
Of these eastern states. This section
OF country manufactures machinery,
and cloths, far move extensively than
| it produces crops. Hence, we can
notice the vast immigration Of foreign,
crs. And among the latter, there is Il
fair proportion Of German and French
people. They have been taught that
the Sabbath need not be particularly
j reyercd. And in the German Empire
at the present time, the opinions Of
the people relating to this glorious
day, are Enthusiastically injurious
And the sad results Of them can be
seen in their large cities. In Cologne
Hamburg, Vienna, and other pOpulOu,
places, the theatres, operas. anC
casinos, or wine drinking saloons, arc
open Sundays. And of course, they
attract more numerous congregation;
than do any of the churches, 1t i.
natural that foreigners should follow
the same course OF life in this country
that they have pursued in their native
land. And we cannot doubt that thci
example has had a powerful influence
upon the American people, There
are cities now in the Orthodox Stat,
Of Massachusetts, where three quarter
OF the population seem to cast asih
: all restraint on Sabbath afternoons
f Gaily dressed men and women rid
along in swilt-moying carriages
, laughing, joking, and amusing them
selves, as if they were going to tn
, meeting Of Il sporting club. And TIL
: drug lists unlesitatlngly dispose o
| soda, cigars, and confectionery, t.
anybody who desires to buy thes
Injuries. Almost every city whic
contains thirty thousand inhabitants
has some entertainment Sabbat
, evening. And 10 unprecedented PEI
f son would pronounce it to be rel giou
&. in its character 1t is Likely to be
! highly co!ored lecture, by some pre-
tcnsiye scientific man, who boastfull
: adyertises that he will prove tn
Bible to be n lie, AID demonstrate tia
; Christianity is delusiye fraud. Or
e it may be what is dcceptiyel
designated as q sacred concert. Yer
the very programs of these concert
y clearly eyince that there is not
II religious piece Of music to be rel
5 dcred either by singers, or musician,
e The mayors Of the cities confess thu
Y these entertainments hurt the poop
morally, and also lessen their feeling
;. of respect for themselves.
:. Not only ought people to be induce
Il to keep the Sabbath for the sake
1t their spiritual welfare; but, cxcuc
n ing all religious interests, they will d
themselves good, by keeping it.
- human being is not steam engin
!, His hands are not OF iron, nor are h
q limbs constructed Of steel. His mu
n Giles are not elastic metal spring
n which are just as strong rs ever,
+ spite Of the amount Of work that |
performs. Aud he cannot ccaselessI
work, both day and night, witho
l. growing weary, and faint. His who
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