The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1879-12-23
MlNIsTERIAl NESTING YEsTERDAY.
The question of Better sabbath Obser,.
ancs Discussed.

prepared by a committee previously ap-
was read by Rev. ]. D. Mofat
adopted unanimously:
The Protestant ministers Of the city Of
Wheeling, assembled In convention, have
the present state Of Sabbath
observance, aud regret that It not only
falls Shortot what Is consistent with public
welfare, but seems likely to grow worse
unless checked by those wholesome in.
iluences good CitiEenscan and shouldexett.
In many saloons more liquor Is sold on
Sabbath than on other days Of the week,
In plain violation Of law aud Of their
license. Many Of our stores are open and
a considerable Sunday trade Is carried on
in them. Bands Of music have played on
our principal streets greatly to the dis.
turbance OF that quietness which should
characterize the city on that day Of public
worship. Excursions, in favorable wealth.
er, have been increasing in number, by
which many persons entitled to rest have
been compelled to labor, and a spirit OF
lawlessneSs has been prompted. News
boys, crying their papersat the top other
voices, add 10 the noise, and are being
educated for still greater violations Of tho
day aud for other attendant vices. In
some instances laboring men are COM.
PEELED to labor seven days in the week
simply that their employers may become
richer, aud some have been discharged Tor
refusing to surrender their day Of rest.
These evils result in part from the fact
that ou~rlegiSlation, so far as known, Is not
insufficient, but mainly fromthe lack OF a
vigorous enforcement Of State law and city
ordinances.
This state OF things has created u de-
mand, on the part OF the well disposed
classes Of our citizens, that q remedy be
found and applied, and We have been
called on to exert the influence OF our
office and position in the endeaYor to
check The incoming tide OF Sabbath desc.
Grafton.
But our position as ministers Of tho
gospel is a peculiar one, and it is, there.
fore, q question with us how far We should
go in promoting this needed reform. Be-
fore making any suggestions OF taking any
decided action, II Is proper we should
clearly define our relations as ministers to
this kind OF reform and place ourselves in
a right light before the public.
First-We would avoid, as far as posi-
bic, giving occasion TO men to charge US
with i%nagurating a crusade against them
TO bring them 10 punishment. As minis.
tiers We look upon Violators OF civil law
chiefly US being sinners against God,
whom we are not to bring to punishment,
but atIectionately TO warn and earnestly to
cxhort to repentance and n new life. II
by any acts OF ours weNexcite the suspiC-
ion that VIC are special detectives oragents
Of the police, we will but aggravate the
opposition, already strong, which many
entertain against the church and its min
islers.
Second-But it is without question our
duty to promote the religious observance
Of the Sabbath, to persuade not only the
members Of our churches, but all Others
who will listen to us and consider what
we say TO set apart voluntarily one day In
seven as belonging 10 God, and commem'
Orative OF our Lords resurrection. A
loud call is made to us at this time 10 In.
sist on a s~tricter, a more cheerful and
hearty observance Of the day OH the part
Of all who believe that God made the
world and Christ rose from the grave.
Third-0ur Bible makes it our duty 10
instruct and exhort our hearers respect
ing their duties to the State and response.
bilities US its rulers. In a Republic every
citizen has q measure OF responsibility,
both for the laws upon the Statute
books, and for their proper enforcement.
He is responsible for his citizenship to
God Ms well as TO the State. We do not,
therefore, perform all the duties belong
ing to our office as ministers il VIC neglect
our opportunities for creating and keep
ing alive q healthy public sentiment that
will secure good legislation anda rigid en-
forcement Of the laws.
Fourth-We cannot as ministers be in.
different 10 the fact that the right OF man
to rest one day in seven is not only a
natural right, but a God.given right which
it is the duty Of the church, as well as the
State, 10 conserve. "The Sabbath was made
for man" and no man should be deprived
OF it without a protest from us as repre-
sentNtives Of the church.
Fitth-Nor u We be Indifferent to the
immense Importance to society, to our
country, dependent on the morality Of its
citizens for its welfare and perpetuity, and
to the church, OF preserving on the Sab
bath such a degree Of quietness as may be
necessary TO the orderly observance OF
religious services in which a majority OF
our citizens wish to engage.
Let it therefore be distinctly understood
that in what we may do or advise, We arc
not seeking the punishment Of men, nor
~endeavoring to force religion or morality
on men by law, nor trying to compel all
men TO adopt our views as 10 what cOnsti-
tutes n proper observance Of the Sabbath.
We take this course in tho hope that all
who recognize the authority OF Gods
Word, may be induced to render to Him
a better observance OF His day and dis
charge more thoroughly their duties as
citizens in securing good laws and obedi.
enCe to them; and that all who love their
fellow men may guard ~2ealously against
their being robbed OF their God.given
right to rest and to worship God, il so dis.
posed, in quiet.
In accordance with these principles lis
recommended:
First-That the ministers o fthis city aud
vicinity embrace an early opportunity to
preach n or more discourses on Sabbath
observance, with the twe-fold design OF
promoting its religious observance by
those who profess to be religious, and OF
stimulating all men to a thorough dis.
charge Of the duties OF citizenship.
second-That our citizens be invited 10
take such measures as they may deem de-
manded by the circumstances to secure
Improvement in our legislation, II needed,
and a better enforcement Of all laws de.
signed to promote order and morality in
our community; and we respectfully sug.
gest to them to consider the propriety OF
organizing, the better to effect these ends.
Third-We pledge ourselves administers
to aid them in their efforts in any way
which does not conflict with what we be.
lieve to be the restrictions our Office.
The CouRTs-ClEculT CoURr-Judgc Mel.
Court met at 0 o'clock yester-
- - Al.