The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1880-02-25
Sabbath Keeping on Railroads.

SoOOdCh AeeplnS on Railroads
We give the following extract from
the address delivered at the second annual
convention of the International Road
Masters Association, at Niagara Falls.
September IL, by Charles Latimer, Chief
Engineer, of the Atlantic and Great
Western Railroad, as reported in the
Railroad Gazette which is entitled to
careful consideration by Railroad mana
gers and also by the public:
have but glanced at few points Of
Importance which tend to the success of
our work. [ have said that our organiza-
ton should be complete, our discipline of
the highest order; that our system should
be perfect, and in all things we should
be faithful. There is one thing yet that
is needed to add grace and beauty to the
whole, and that is reliance upon Divine
Providence to guide US in all that we do.
| know it is not the custom of conven-
tons and societies to touch upon the sub
Ject OF Providence. 1t is that of some to
Ignore religion; but if l understand the
spirit of the working man, he is not one Of
those. And why should we not take
God in all our work, both of the road
and of our meeting? He is our maker,
our preserver, our guide. l say, let us
take our religion into every spike we
drive, every railroad tie we lay, every
man we employ, every man we discharge.
into every thought, word, and deed.
The man who says he cannot take God
into our work Is an enemy to our success.
L once had very responsible position
upon road. and | refused to permit an
excursion train to be run upon Sunday,
and to permit the section foreman to
serve out whiskey to his men and make
them pay for it. Ny superior officers,
acting under the force of the acting
President of the road, took me to task
and begged me to recall my action, say
ing it is impossible to carry out religious
principles upon a railroad, adding that
he was very anxious for me to remain, I
could have obeyed the order in the
matter of running the trains, but posi-
lively refused to recede from the second.
and left the road. The idea that it is
impossible to carry religion upon rail-
road has been frequently advanced, but
never by religious men.
Our country stands to-day with Sab
bath breaking people upon our railroads.
having wandered far from the teachings
and practice of our forefathers Sunday
is made the clearing up day of rail-
roads. More trains are run on that day
than any other. 1t is the grand excur-
| sion day; the roads are crowded with
trains. | am pleased to see one railroad
manager, Mr.. Hickson, of the Grand
Trunk Railroad, stand up against this
practice. His answers to petitions to
run Sunday trains for excursions IS peril
nent: am sure that running excur-
slons on this railroad will be of no profit
to 1T, and | think it will be of no profit
to you. What wonder that the chapters
OF accidents are numerous? Men who
have forced ten days into six are required
to work possibly two more on the seventh.
The engineer, his eyes heavy with sleep
and fatigue, closes them at the moment
when to do so is death to his living
freight. Forced to be absent from home
and its ennobling influences; demoraliza-
ton and dissipation, crimes and conse-
quent accidents and loss ensue.
Here let us stand Let us set our
face and influence against the breakine
of the Sabbath day. Let no work be
done, either upon track or upon road
upon that day, as far as our influence can
prevent Let the railroad track be az
quiet and undisturbed on Sunday as our
church yards so that every man NAV
have the privilege Of enjoying his home
with his family on that day, as he ought
that every rail and tie, and bridge, and
rod, and wheel, and machine may recover
its elasticity
So do | believe that our nation will re-
ceive such blessing as will gladden. it.
Our railroad men will be happier and
better men, and railroad accidents will
be almost banished from our KNOWLEDGE.
1t IS your opportunity and mine to work
for this blessing, and l trust that it NAV
be our happiness to aid in its accomplish
ment.
IT may be said with too muck truth
that somewho are called Christians would