The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1883-01-17

The Presbytery of New Brunswick met
in tho Lecture room of the Fiist Presby
terrain Church at Trenton, on til the 9th
inst. This Presbytery is one of the larg-
est and most influential of all the Presby
teries in the church. 1t includes the Pro-
fesscrs of both the College and Theologi-
cal Seminary in Princeton, and numbers
sixty ministers. The special cause which
convened the Presbytery was the appar-
emily we'll authenticated report that the
Directors of the Pennsylvania Railroad
contemplated placing Sunday train on
the. Belvidere Division of their road.
The following resolutions were passed
unanimously:
Whereas, We are informed that the Di-
rectors of the Pennsylvania Railroad Com
pany are considering the question of run
ming Sunday passenger trains on the Bel
videre Division of their road, and have
been inquiring whether suca measure
would meet the approval of those living
along the line of the r)ad, and aohereGs,
more than two Thirds of the Belvidere
Division passes through part of the ter
itory occupied by this Presbytery; there
fore,
/. Resotved, That as body of Chris
tian ministers aud elders of churches,
who are properly held responsible for an
oversight of the morals aud religious in
terests of the community, we are con
strained to express our sincere and most
earnest desire that the Sabbath keeping
policy of this Division, which for more
than thirty years has resulted only III
good, and has given quiet on the Lords
Day, and opportunity to the employees
for rest and worship. may yet be coniin-
ued; and that with the deepest sorrow
would we receive the intelligence that IL
Sunday train had been determined upon.
2. Resoiged, We believe that the Sab
hath was set apart by the Divine appoint
ment and command to be observed as
day of rest from the ordinary avucations
of this life, and to furnish suitable OPP
portunity for the Worship of Him IN
whom we live and move aud have our be-
ihg," as well as for the due consideration
of those religious questions IN which the
human mind ever has been and ever VIII
be deeply concerned. We believe that
any measures or practices which are cal
culated To interfere with this opportunity
are disastrous To the Individual and in
furious to society; and, therefore, to have
a sabbath is the inalienable rig of every
individual.
8. Res0lUed, La our opinion, as those
who are accustomed to note the effects of
a disregard of the Sabbath, the apparent
advantages that might arise to the towns
through which the road runs, by Sun
day train, would be far outwelgheo by the
necessary evils that would be created,
from bringing together persons around
the stations, and in inviting the popnla-
ton to make excursions on that day, and
thereby disturbing the general order,
which it is for the good of all To preserve
on the Sabbath. For Sabbath-keeping
people, as all experience shows, is law
abiding people. Trains on the Sabbath
would be liable to bring w-deiying
class from the cities, and scatter then IN
the villages and towns along the river,
againsC which the people would be unable
to defend themselves or protect their
property.
A. Resoloed, We respectfully suggest
that. in our judgement, it is undesirable
to lay the burden on the conscience of
those faithful employees of the Company.
who may desire To observe the Sabbath,
that they must either leave its employ or
do that which they believe TO be wrong.
And can any corporation be taking wise
course by excluding such persons from
their employ? We believe that no class
of men deserve and require the rest of the
Sabbath more than those who expose limb
and health in the running of,railroad
trains, and to whose steady nerves and
clear heads so much property and so
many lives are daily entrusted.
g. Resol0ed, That copy of these reso-
lutions be seut to the superintendent of
the Belvdere Division, with "A request
that they be laid before the proper au-
thorities.