Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1879-04-08

then 1t will be found you can punish those
who violate it. If the present law is not a
religious law, men so regard it, and will not,
as they cannot, obey it. The state has R
right to enact sanitary laws, but it has no
right to ena:t a religious law. To this every
man in the world, who Is imbued with the
spirit of our general government, will readily
agree. More than this | have not limited;
for this much | will contend as long as ] am
a Baptist or az American citizen.
6. The fact that nCne but christians do or
can obey the Sunday law religiously in
spirit, argues almost conclusively that it IS
a religious law, or at least is so regarded by
the people, if not by the authorities who
made it. This suggests one Of two things, VIZ:
a. If it is a surely religious law, then our
great constitution has been trampled under
foot
~ If 1t is not a religious law, not so in
tended by those who made it, then the people
ought to know it. 1t confessedIy has the
appearance OF a religious law; and great
many people so regard it. 1t is due to the
conscience Of many persons; 1t Is due to our
selves, to christianity and to God, that we
tell them plainly, and explain to them clearly,
that 1t Is not a religious law, but merely san
Itary, humanitarian and Tor the public good.
j. The law regulating Sunday conduct is
fact. What did say IN regard to it2 Just
what every christian is bound to say. The
bible teaches all christians it Is their duty to
obey the laws, whether they be Just or I'M
just, wise or unwise. Obey the law always,
except when SO doing you must violate the
law OF God IN the heart and revealed in His
word. And when the law Of man conflicts
with the law Of God, obey the latter, even to
the loss Of life. Indeed, we are not only
wiling to obey this law, but want it enforced
to the very letter. Intemperance is the great
evil IN tins country, it seems, and is very IN
furious TO society. 1t IS not partial to
any, one day; 1t does its deadly
work, night and day, every day in
year to year. The ten thousand bright young
men 1t ruins! and every young man who Is
ruined Il great and rreparable loss to some
family, to society, to the State, to the world.
The tea thousand happy homes turned into
desoiatICn, misery and tearsl o God! what
an evil Is lntemperance. We have no young
men to lose, no happiness to throw away.
Oar tears are enough, heaven knows, without
the AID OF strong drink, on Sunday or any
other day, to multiply them into streams.
GA, what a waste of money, what waste of
time, what a waste-nay, destruction of en-
ergy, Of principle; OF happiness, of prosper
ity, OF integrity, uprightness, and all that is
good, and even life itself follow in the wake
of this mighty monster that stalks abroad in
the land. Great heavens! what shall poor,
helpless, suffering, bleeding humanity do?
Struck to the earuh by this demons fell |
blows, there it lies, without the ability, as it
is without the desire, to neip itself. And we
aiust yield! On, where is any hope? Oh, |
my teliow-man, | would have you realize, |
N some way, the snOrmity of the evil of |
strong drink; | would have a whole people |
to rise up as one man, and meet the fell |
monster in deadly and final combat The |
S ate must protect its morals. Yes. Such
o. Is necessary to its strength,
z } Is necessary to is prosperity,
g. Is necessary to its perpetuity,
a. Is necessary to the greatest good of |
TIE people,
AND THE STATE MUST PROTECT IT'S PEOPLE.
o. Its POOR must not be left to the mercy
IF the rich and worked beyond the power Of |
physical endurance. This Is law of nature,
and simple Difference to the claims of COM
non humanity erioins its observance.
e It's helpless wives in their homes and |
heir children made orphans aad disgrace
o mankind, ought TO be protected. | would
plead for the wan faces, the sunken eyes,
he broken hearts, the desolate homes of the
en thousand poor, beaten, starved and
rushed women who hit up their plaintlve
ny aud pour forth their copous tears in vain
}od In mercy help the women! Poor woman!
Nature has made her road rough.
But this Is not enough. Brutal man,
nfuriated, maddened by drink, must bruise
Ter person, blast her happiness, disgrace her
5raVe. Is there no protection?
CHRISTIANS MUST HAVE SUNDAY.
a. 1t is necessary to their growth in grace
5 individuals.
% 1t is necessary 10 their religious culture
. Il whole
81 1t is necessary to the perpetuity of their
hurches.
a 1t is an important privilege, giving them
niarged opportunities for doing good and
utilizing their high missions.
The State will give US, and protect us in
he observance of, cur Sunday. 1t is day
re all love. No doubt it has been sanctifed
} the salvation OF many a soul Thousands
I'd thousands Of pilgrim hearts have been {
1mt0rted on this day. Its memories, duties
nd associations are all sacred. On this day
le Lord, after his night in the grave,
rose from the dead and led
aptlyity captive, and gave gifts
men. The early christians deemed it ap-
'opriate to celebrate that day. They cele-
rated it as a joyful day. Blessed day on
blCh the Lord arose. From then till now
tristan hearts hve noted with Joy the re-
I'm Of that day. For ages it has been used !
christians as day set apart by themselves I
r the regular public worship of God, for the
gular public instruction OF the membership,
ID all others who felt disposed to avail
emselves CT the opportunity. 1t is of the
ry greatest Importance to the churches of
suS Christ