The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1879-08-13
Selling Liquor on the Sabbath.

The organization of a society in the city
of Richmond Va, to secure the repeal of
the law which prohibits the opening of
saloons and the sale of spirituous and malt
liquors on the Sabbath, is a striking EVIL
dence of the bold aggressiyeness Of the
spirit of infdelity
We are glad to notice that the meeting
at which this organization was formed,
was small in numbers, and, as far as we
can learn, not powerful in influence But
that such an organization has been formed
in the city of Richmond, the capital of the
State, is a notable fact, which ought to at
tract the attention Of the good citizens of
the whole commonwealth. That these
people undertake to justify themselves
under the plea of religious liberty, and
freedom of conscience, is none the less
alarming Though the plea is utterly
groundless, it is an insidious defence of
their course, calculated to mislead the un-
thinking. 1t is the same plea under which
the Mormons undertake to defend their
odious practices of wholesale adultery,
which offend the sense and decency and
moral propriety of whole nation. I'm
der the same plea, socialism would de-
stroy the rights Of prosperity, annihilate
marriage and the family tie, convert So
ciety into bedlam, and this world into
an abode of incarnate demons
This movement in favor of liquor
drinking Sabbath, is the small edge Of the
wedge Of infdeI socialism. If we allowed
it to make full entrance into our social
organism, it will open wide door Of easy
entrance to infdel socialism, with all its
hell-born doctrines and practices.
1t is not our purpose now to discuss this
question, but only, for the present, to
sound note Of alarm and call the atten-
ton of the people of the country to this
movement in the metropolis of the State.
Richmond Yields mighty influence in
the State, political, religious, and moral.
AS she increases in population and wealth,
this influence will increase. The country
in turn exercises like influence upon
Richmond.
If we do not wish to become Sabbath
liquor-guzzling people, regardless Of the
law of God, we ought to exert whatever
influence we can to prevent either the re-
peal of this law, or to allow its operation
to be excepted from the city of Richmond.
Il is our duty to see to it, that the princi-
pal city Of our State shall not become an
open violator Of the Sabbath, in her drink
ing saloons and places Of public resort. If
any of her people desire to drink on Sun
day let them do it in their private houses,
and places of abode, but do not allow
large bodies of people to gather at these
drinking saloons and other places Of pub
lie resort, and buy and drink intoxicat-
ing liquors where they will gather in
large number to indulge in this dangerous,
and in very many cases, ruinous practice.
If we wish to abolish the Sabbath, let it
not be done under the insidious and false
plea of religious liberty and freedom of
conscience. Let it be done openly and
boldly as infdel France did it, and meet
the consequences as she did Religious
liberty indeed! What religion is there
in guzzling whiskey in public saloons and
places ofpublic resort on the Sabbath day?
Do these people mean to say that these
saloons and other public places, are places
for the public worship of God? Or that
the selling and buying and drinking Ii
quor at them are acts of worship to God?
That this is their mode Of worshipping
God? Religious liberty indeed Away
with such nonsense.-ChmIOtte8ri2e Jg-
terSonian.