The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1878-03-13
FoR THE CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN.
THE RAILROADS AND THE SABBATH.

E FoR THE CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN.
THE RAILROADS AND THE SABBATH.
8 A recent issue of the Central Presbyterta
contained very suggestive and timely edi
, torial in reference to the desecration of tn
Sabbath by our soulless corporstions-th
railroad companies. 1t is hoped that tn
views and facts presented, were "read, pom
dered, and inwardly digested.
With the increase of ght and knowledg
as to the true nature and purpose of tn
Sabbath day, and of our obligations to "re
member" mot forget sit and keep it holy,
it is believed, that in many communities anc
with many persons, there is healthy senti
ment and practice in the observance Of th'
day. 1t was just tribute, made by an EN-
inent evangelist, that the observance of thu
Sabbath in Richmond, was marked and equa
to, if not in advance of, many other cities
And the deliverances of our ecclesiastical
bodies, and the teachings of the press and
pulpit have had a salutary effsct on public
morals in this regard.
But it is also true, that these indications
of an enlightened public sentiment and Of
improved observance of this holy day, are
not without marked exceptions. The run
ming of railway trains, both passenger and
freight, is great and growing evil. The
Code of Virginia expressly prohibits secular
work by the citizen, aud subjects him to
punishment; and yet our railway officials,
without rebuke and in defiance of the laws
of God and man, continue to use their ma
chinery and their employees, in crushing out
Gods Sabbaths; and save an occasional
faithful attempt of the press to prevent the
continuance of this bold sin, with its atten-
dant disastrous consequences, We hear of no
effort to put stop to this goddess outrage on
the common decencies of morality.
In looking for reason for this remarka-
bic state of facts, the people themselves are
not free from responsibility. A few years
ago, when private stockholders and the State
of Virginia had controlling vote in the
management of the railroad affairs, honest
and faithful efforts were made to procure q
positive order, in unmistakabls terms, to the
Directors, to suspend the running of Sunday
trains, and the Efforts wefsaa aansuccessfel.--
Not only did the State. proxieS-(yeS, of this
Christian Commonwealth, refuse to unite in
sustaining this movement, but processing
Christians, including church officers, refused
to unite in making the order. The railroads
belong to the stockholders, many of whom
are, to-day, members of churches, and yet
they withhold their votes and voices in max
ing this reform. Let no stockholder fancy
he is free from responsibility in this great
national and State sin.
1t is respectfully submitted, that in this
matter the public heart and mind need edu
cation, and above all pluck or moral cOur-
age, the great want of our times.
There are other evidences of an unsound
and unhealty public sentiment which tole-
rates Sunday trains. 1t is not the provis-
ions of the Code of Virginia, which will take
hold of and restrain these people. They
feel that they are restrained by public SEN
timent. What are some of these evidences
of the lowering of the standard in Virginia,
in regard to the sacredness Of the Sabbath
We point to Sunday excursion trains, which,
a quarter of century ago, would not have
been tolerated in Virginia. Again, among
the passengers on Sunday trains are, not un,
frequently, processing Christians and churc1
oticers!!
Where there was one reader of the secular
papers on Sunday twenty years ago there
are ten now. Members of churches buy anC
read the secular papers on Sunday; an(
this bad example is a growing evil with those
who are admonished "to avoid the appear
ance of evil" Sabbath visiting is on th'
increase in the country communities. Ever
the Congress of the United States, in 1877
was in session till II M. on Sunday anc
preachers and elders names are recorded a
voting, in both the Senate and House, OF
Sunday!!! What wonder then that railroad
presidents and superintendents, boldly, AM
with high and defiant hand, try to pual
aside Gods command to remember tn
Sabbath day to keep it hOy!!
FENELON.