The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1883-02-14
SABBATH OBSERVANCE.


We last week gave what we considered
to he the three fold claim upon every per-
SOP for Sabbath observance.
While the law should not be invoked 10
compel men 10 observe HE day rclieiously
it shonld be brought 10 bear to prevent
them from disturbing those who wish 10
so nse the day II is Il mistaken notion
that In the forming of this Government
the founders ignored all religions. They
distinctly recognized God and the Chris
tian religion by having their proceedings
opened with prayerhy Christian, ministers,
aud in other ways unnecessary here to
name. But they jealousy guarded liber
~ of conscience, aud avoided recognizing
any sect as entitled TO privileges beyond
another. rhe whole genius OF the gov.
ernment as 10 its laws and morals is
founded upon the doctrines aud teachings
Of the Bible. ii is therefore justified in
protecting religion SO far as it does not
interfere with the rights OF conscience
The claim enumerated by intitlels of the
present day respecting the irreligions
character Of onr institutions IS utterly
false.
On this point Judge Story iimn whom
there is no higher authority, says in Com.
mentaries ON The Constitution Of the
United States 2
The ight'of society or government to
In, ,f
~ be contested by any persons who be-
leve that piety, religion and morality arc
intimately connected with the wcl-being
of the State, and indispensable to re-
lgion the being aud attributes and pre-.
violence fone Almighty God the respon-
sibilily to Him for all our actions, found
ed upon moral freedom aud accountable
~ future state Of rewards and punish
ments the cultivation Of all the personal,
social and benevolent yirtues-thcse never
can be matter of indifference in any we'll
ordered community. 1t is, indeed, diff
cult TO conceive how any civilized society
can well exist without them. And, at all
events, IL is impossible for those who be-
leve In the truth of Christianity as u
divine revelation, to doubt that it is the
especial duty of government To foster and
encourage it among all citizens and sub
jecis. This Is a point wholly distinct
from that Of The right Of private iudg-
ment IN the matters of religion, and OF the
freedom of public worship according to
The dictates of ones own conscience.
Probably at the time of the adoption of
the Constitution, and of the amendment
10 il. now under consideration, The gen
cral, if not The universal, sentiment in
America was, that Christianity ought to
receive encouragement from the State, SO
far as il is not Incompatible with the pri-
yate rights of conscience aud the freedom
of religious worship. An attempt to level
al religions, and to make II Il matter Of
State policy 10 hold all in utter indiiler-
ence. would have created universal dis.
appreciation, il not universal indignation.
BIT The duty Of supporting religion, and
especially the Christian religion, is very
different from the right to force the COLI
sciences Of other men, or TO punish them
for worshiping God in the manner which
they believe their accountability TO Him
requires. 1t has been truly said that re-
ligion. or the duty we owe t. our Creator,
and the manner of diseharging it, can be
dictated only by reason and conviction,
not by force or violence.
The real object of the amendment was,
3Iahometansm, or Judaism, OF infidelty,
by Frustrating Christianity; but to ex-
clude all rivalry among Christian sects,
and To prevent any national ecclesiastical
establishment. which should give TO M
hierarchy the exclusive patronage of the
National Government.
This extract shows that while there is
protection given to all in the enjoyment
Of their positive religious opinions, yet
that the design Of the trainers of the
constitution was 10 further religion aud
tbe morals inculcatcd by religion, because
religion is necessary to the well.being of
ihe state. With this view, laws have
heen passed by the national and state
legislatures, making belief in the Su-
preme Being prerequisite to the taking
Of an oath. making Sunday a day Of rest
and making illegal contracts, etc. made
an that day.
il eill lac Il sad day for republican, gov.
eminent when Christianity ceases 10 leave
it's impress az the laws and institutions
oi the land. Aud il ia no far-fetehed as.
serion. thai il will cease to do SO Just in
proportion to the ignoring of Sunday by
the people and Of law makers as Il religi-
aus day and 4 day of rest from worldly oc-
equations. When goddess, iuiidel French
Communism. German f" free thinking
and Russian Nihilism, spring up from the
seed uDeonsciously sown by those who arc
on their road but who have Travelled only a
short distance, the false liberty that comes
OF hatred OF moral restraints. viii be moro
aeeursed than the tyranny OF monarchies.
James Treglawn, the Port Dram MUIR
,lerer, has been sentenced by Judge
Magic to be hanged on Wednesday.