The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-05-17

A
the attention OF our workers.
IL. That the State Committee and the To-
cal associations be requested to arrange for
a series OF parlor conferences In the more
important cities Of the State, at which tie
international, State, and local associations
work may be presented, and that when
practical such conference be used as the
meanso locating trained secretaries, vino
shall give all their time 20 the work.
IL. That the State Committee be request
ed 10 get from each association In the State
statistical report to be presented to the
next Convention, the report TO contain the
name OF the president and secretary, num-
Der OF members, state OF finances. and the
work in which the association is engaged.
10. That an earnest effort be made 10 Sc
cure delegates from each association at the
next Convention, and, IL possible. reduced
rates be secured upon the railroads Of The
State for delegates attending the Conven-
tion.
IA. That we recommend the headquarters
OF the State Committee be located at Staun.
ton, and we nominate the following State
Committee II. l.. Hoover. +. ID. Ransom,
j. w. Newton, J. w. Todd, James ii.
Skinner. A. KoiDer, Rev. T. NJ. Boyd, and
A. G.. Christian, all OF Staunton.
The committee was instructed to select
from different sections OF the State suitable
corresponding members Of the Executive
Committee.
During the consideration OF the report,
Mr.. Cree gave some very interesting state
ments OF the number Of commercial travel
lers In this country, and the fnportauce OF
work among them.
Colonel w. Z. Munford gave deeply In
80. III.
peniteniiary, and related several most touch
ing incidents Of the power Of the gospel in
the conversion and reclamation OF convicts.
He told OF one whom he had met several
years after his discharge as high railroad
official and active Christian. Another bad
Joined the church here soon after his dis
charge, and has now been restored 10 bis
family. and is practicng physician and a
useful Christian in another State.
Another young man, the son OF wealthy
parents, has been restored to his family, and
Is now at college preparing for the gospel
ministry, with view of becoming mis-
sionary OF the Cross.
The Convention adjourned with the DoX-
ology and benediclion till O'Clock at night.
NIGHT SESSION.
The Convention was opened with PRAYER
by Rev. j. William Jones, and Mr.. Bentley
led the congregation in singing 9 Revive us
Again."
The committee reported the following
names rs additions to the State Executive
Committee:
Corresponding members Executive Com
mittee-R Richmond, Major Robert Stiles ;
Alexandra, II. W. Beale; University OF
Virginia, Professor F. p. Dunington; Roam
oke College, Professor j. ID. Dreher; Pc
tcrsburg. o. b. Morgan; Washington and
Lee University, William 5. Campbell; Nor
folk, Professor r. NJ. Saunders.
Rev. j. u. Tyler opened the topic on
"The Observance of the Sabbath" in an
able and admirable address.
| He spoke of the relation OF the Sabbath
TO the civil law, and insisted upon The doc
trine that the State has no right 10 pre-"
scribe religious duties. But he argued that
the Sabbath is OF Divine origin and OF Di-
vine obligation. He clearly stated the dif-
ferent theories OF the Sabbath which men
have held, and to which even pious men
cling.
He next stated some Of the points OF dlf-
ference between the Jewish Sabbath and the
Lords Day.
(1) The Jews had specific command.
| (2) The day was specifically named.
(3l The Jewish Sabbath commemorated
the rest OF the Lord.
(4) The main idea Of the Jewish Sabbath
Is rest, not worship.
(5) The penalty OF the violation OF the
Jewish Sabbath Is death.
But while there are these points OF differ
ence in mems theories Christian men every
where insist upon the Observance OF the
Sabbath.
He argued that the absence OF all details
as to the observance OF the Sabbath in the
! New Testament is in perfect accord With
the whole spirit and genius OF these Scrip
lures.
| He argued that the necessity OF Sabbath
so clearly brought ont IN the Old Testa-
ment is equally applicable under the new
| dispensation.
| II the Jewish Sabbath commemorated the
end Of creation how much more, he argued,
should our Lords day commemorate the
resurrection OF the Lord.
| He quoted from the Fathers and from
the APOSTLES to show that we have the eX'
ample OF the early disciples in observing
the first day Of the week.
He quoted freely the proof texts 10 snow
the examples OF Christ and the apostles as
indicating the will OF the Lord.
He argued from the specific name" tne
Lords day (which is given to the nrs'
day. It is not day for secular calling, OF
simply for rest, but it is the Lords day.
He argued from the demorallzing effects
Of the non-observance OF the Lords day
that we should see to its observance.
He spoke Of the growing tendency TO VIC,
late the obligations OF the Lords day, and
to convert it into a Gay OF social pleasure
and earnestly pleaded for greater care In
IT'S observance in the Church, the commu'
nifty, and the home.
After the singing OF "Glad.Tidings by
Mr.. Bentley, Judge Robert Ould was called
out. He proposed to maintain the PROPOSE
tion that the Sabbath is a civil institution
and that as such the State may and 0ugh'
TO protect it by appropriate legislation.
He argued that the Sabbath is not Le'
yitical institution, but was Instituted by
| God with man, and for man. He insisted
that the Sabbath has its religious, moral,
intellectual, and physical aspects, and ably
argued that while the State has no right 10
leVisIate in reference to its spiritual aspects
| that il has the right TO deal with 1t in It's
moral. physical, and intellectual aspects. lie
spoke OF the Fourth Commandment as the
golden clasp which binds together the Two
fables OF the law, or rather as the golden
hinge on which they turn.
| He ably maintained that the State has moi
only to do with the physical but with the NOR
al veal OF men as well, and that on this prln
ciple it enacts laws to prevent wrong. No
thing is foreign from the State which affects
the interests OF any Of her citizens. He
argued that the moral code OF Christianity
is the basis OF the common law, and quoted
the highest legal authority, both In England
and this country, to sustain his position
He insisted that one days rest in seven Il
needed by body, mind, and spirit, and gave
striking illustrations OF the evils OF yio'