Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1879-12-19
THE SUNDAY QUESTION.
The Case Clearly Stated-NOta
Bene-The "Waverlies."

Correspondence of the Register.
We claim to be Christian people;
that is to say, the mass OF our people
are not infdel or heather. For this We
are indebted to judaism and Christian
ity. All that is valuable In our laws and
institutions is derived directly or indi-
rectly from the Bible. All that is sound
in the teaching of the various forms OF
infidelity comes from the same source.
The observance OF a Sabbath day, as a
political institution, to say nothing of its
religious character, has belonged, in
some form or other, to most civilized
nations from time immemOrial. France
alone made the experiment of dispens-
ing with it, but baptism Of blood
taught her the necessity OF being gov
erned by the wisdom OF by-gOne ages.
Ours is reputed a Christian nation,
based upon Christian principles; and
our fOrefathers early saw the necessity
of protecting, by wholesome laws, the
Christian Sabbath, its rest and its wor-
ship, as Indispensable to the preserva-
ton of society. Hence We find laws for
this purpose incorporated with most Of
our Institutions. He that will assume
10 eliminate the Christian Sabbath from
our laws and institutions will certainly
undertake great work.
Now. as to whether laws thus existing
are to be enforced or not, is question
of easy solution. If found in the form
of common law, statute or ordinance,
they ought certainly to be enforced
until repealed or changed.
The law is not intended
for the good, but fOrevil doors; and such
is the character of most persons Of this
description, that nothing but positive
force will restrain them. Hence it often
becomes necessary that public senti-
ment, which demands the peace and
order OF society, should take the
form of law; and hence every good citi-
zen will insist that laws enacted for this
purpose, shall either be enforced or re-
pealed, altered or amended.
Experience has taught that the peace
and good order OF society can be main
tanned only to the extent that the laws
protecting the Christian Sabbath and
its objects, are carried into execution.
Hence the present demand that the
laws shall be enforced. We do
not wish to interfere with the rights of
any one; nor, on the other hand, can We
consent that the rights of the majority
shall be trampled upon. We simply in
sist that the Sunday laws, which are in
tended for the general good, shall be
treated with due regard.
As our ministers of the gospel have
much TO do in moulding md directing
public sentiment, and as they have now
taken hold of this question, it is hoped
that they will hold it with firm grasp,
until our city is delivered from the hand
OF the spOiler: nay, that in the future,
they will exercise a more sleepless vigil
lance than heretofore. Christian NOR.
atty is the subject which, of all things,
at the present time, demands the min
ister's most serious and unremitting at
tentlOn. LAW AND ORDER.
Noia Benz: That Satan" sometimes
transforms himself into an angel OF
light" Hence we see the opponents OF
the Sabbath assuming all sorts Of inno-
cent names, such as Justice" Christ
IAN" New Testament" Working
man" &c. My "Waverly" boys, that is
too thin. Perhaps you had better meet
again, and reopen the question,
whether Christianity has proved a
blessing or curse to mankind" Bacon,
Newton, Washington and Franklin,
were OF the Affirmative. But, perhaps,
you are better informed. Let us hear
from YOU often. But 10 your mothers
know that YOU are out? l.. AND ..