Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1878-05-23
SABBATH DISSERTATION.

There is difference between Sabbath des-
ecration and many other sins. Except so
far as influence and the power of example 60,
other sins are largely personal; but open
Sabbath desecration is direct injury to the
whole community. Unbelief, for example, in.
directly influences others to reject Christ, yet
may be no direct injury to others. If others
will follow the example of the worldly man it
is of their own free will. But Sabbath break
ing directly Injuries others. 1t is the right
and privilege of all to keep the Sabbath day
holy, and to spend its hours in the exer.
cises of religion. Now, the Sabbath breaker
interferes with this right, which belongs to
all. The noises, the disturbances, which ne.
cessarily accompany and follow bis violations
of the sanctity of the day, are wrong to the
holy rest on that day. The newsboy who
thrusts newspaper into the face ofthe church
goer, the societies who parade the streets,
the store keepers who take any part of the
time from their employees and customers,
those who give concerts and those who open
lager-beer gardens, are not enjoying true lib
erty of conscience themselves, hut they are
wronging the whole community who have
The right to obey the law of God, by spend.
iug the day in holy rest. They are disturb
ers of the peace. They are invading rights
of others.
1t is useless to say that these Sabbath vio-
lations ought not to disturb others in the en-
joyment of their sacred privileges. The fact
is that they do. Few attain to that high
state of philosophic serenety in which they
are entirely removed from the influence of
external objects. There may be some who
can rise superior to all their surroundings,
but they are not numerous. The people need,
and have right to the undisturbed en- joy-
ment their Sabbaths of rest.
In another way Sabbath desecration inter.
feres with the keeping of the day. Every
Sabbath-breuker necessarily causes Others to
labor if he starts ON long journey, the con-
ductora, engineers, fremen, switchmen and
other railroad men must work on the Sabbath,
that he may travel on it. IF he purchases,
the store keeper must keep open that he may
purchase. If he frequents places of amuse.
meut, the performers must work for his
amusement O. that day. Every kind of sab
bath desecration deprives others of their Sab
bath rest
The only way in which the Sabbath can be
generally observed is for the community gen.
orally to observe it. Hence the need of main
tanning a correct public sentiment in regard
to Sabbath observance. 1t is to be feared
that this sentiment is at present at low ebb in
our country, and especially in our cities.
PRAYER.-Prayer must be unwearied. 1t
is a continual service that we are called to.
1t is continual burnt Offering that is to be
laid upon the altar, and continual incense
that is to ascend up from our censers. Both
because of the very nature of the service,
and because of the blessings to be obtained,
there must be holding on, perseverlng,
continuing instant in prayer, praying with
out ceasing. Many saint has given us
pattern of perseverance in prayer, as it their
knees were always bent and their censers al
ways burning They are surely examples for
our imitation, instances recorded to stir US up
from our languor and sloth. Look into one
of the closets of these holy men, or listen even
at their closet door; 60 and return again,
and look and lsten-do you not see, do you
not hear, something that at once solemnizes
and rehukes? What are our closets now ?
How little frequented, aud even when used,
how different the sounds that echo round
their walls Where are the days of fasting
and supplcation? Where are the groanings
which cannot be uttered, the strong crying
and tears, the continual pleading with God,
the ordering of our cause before Him, the
heaping up of arguments, the speaking with
Him as friend with friend, the refusing TO let
Him 60 until the blessing come ?-DR. II.
BoNAR in the Christiaa Treasury.