Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1883-01-06
A Radical Reform Called
For.

Gees' fHut pCHutUt
L. t. SEMINARY, HAMDEN SIDNEY.
VA, December 25th, 1882.
In presenting to my old friends
and the citizens of Martinsburg a
very radical scheme, am sustained
by the firm conviction that | repre-
sent a noble cause, and address those
who can fully appreciate it.
As a people, we are constantly
witnessing great wrong; and whilst
we are being gradually hardened
thereby, we are becoming more and
more engulfed in a great national
evil | refer to the violated rights
of the many thousands of our brother
men and fellow citizens, who work
six days in the week, and are then
required to labor on the Sabbath
and to the ever increasing tide of
Sabbath dissertation, which in num-
berless forms is sweeping over our
land. This Sunday labor is often
required by individuals and corpora.
tions; but the shame and disgrace
are, that our free government also
enforce it. In her Sunday mail SER
vice. Perhaps this phrase of the
evil is one of its worst and most dan.
gerous forms, because it seems to
ciothe it with the sanctity of law,
thus encouraging it in others, and
bunting the consciences of those
who might otherwise oppose it. 1t is
also the most prominent, because it
requires Sunday trains; and espe-
cially because it accustoms the pub
lie conscience to that from which it
should shrink. 1t is a bold and
shameless defiance Of those feelings
which all good men cherish. But
this whole system Of Sunday traffic
is in violation Of the positive COM
mand OF God it is contrary to the
spirit of your State laws, and op-
posed to the very constitution of
mans nature, which imperatively
demands this season of rest. Ii per-
sisted in it must result in a vista
tion of the Divine wrath; in a weak
ening Of the sense Of civil obliga-
ton, and in permanent evil to all
who countenance it. Therefore it
threatens the highest interests Of
the christian, the citizen and the
man. We can't escape the contest
it has already been commenced. The
International Sabbath Association
has established an Office at No. 1872,
Chestnut street, Philadelphia, and
Is making good use Of the great
power Of systematic cooperation.
Earnest men Of all parties and Of all
creeds, are enlisting under the
standard of religion, morality and
true patriotism. Upon committee
representing nearly all Of the Protes.
tant denominations, we find the
name of the very Rev. Edward Nc
Colgan, V. g., of the Catholic
Baltimore. This looks as if
God were uniting his people to fight
this great battle, and betokens full
ilment of his promise, Isaiah 60; 1917
when the enemy shall come in like
! flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall
lift up a standard against him.
Put him to fight" is the marginal
Now the present is a critical time
n the progress of this movement,
Ind the people Of Martinsburg can
'ender very efficient service to the
,ause, if they will only act promptly
md vigorously. What is now es-
,ecially asked Of you is that you Pc
,ition the Post Office Department to
Ibolish the Sunday mails in your
,ity. Should you succeed in this ex-
,eriment it can be used with great
effect in stimulating the work else
where. And even if you fail, your
attempt will materially benefit the
general cause. But there need be no
ear of failure il the proper effort be
made.
l suggest that the friends of the
Sabbath hold meeting, and have a
uitable petition drafted, a sufficient
lumber of which should be printed.
Then divide the city into small dis
riots and secure an active canvas
er, male or female, for each dis
riot, and thus make sure that every
'erson in the city shall be asked to
ign the petition. 1t would also be
veil tn furnish each canvassnr with