The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1886-03-27
Written for The Republican,
NO. x.

Il The greatest tendency to desecrate
tlle Sabbath day is developed IN our
large cities. In many places drinking
Saioons and places of amusement are
Kept open on the Sabbath. In numer-
Gus Instances men pursue their or(li-
nary ;tvoeations without let or hin
Aranee, All this il contrary to the
spirit and genius of our institutions
Hgalnst our enlightened christianity,
n disgrace to our civilization, and
nughl not to be tolerated. What is
tlle cause of this state of affairs, and
now can the evil lie remeditd. We.
believe If there be one thing which
more than any other leads to the open
uesecration Of Gods holy day il il the
Example set by professors of religion.
tfthis be true, and we believe it j.,
C is all important that professors of
fs'Iigion "seek after the old paths,"
anu take the plain teachings OF GOd'-
word To be their guide upon this sub
ject, Let their example he on the
side Nf right rather than on the part
of eXpediency. One Of the most pow
erful, If not the most powerful, in
t1uenceat work to reduce our chris
tian Sabbath to the low grade of the
European Sabbath, is the Sunday
newspaper. There is but one cons ST.
ent course open to religious people
with regard to the Sunday paper, and
that is to discOuntenance it at all haZ-
ards, and in every possible way. II
may not he within the power of the
church to suppress the sunday paper.
hut church people should refuse to
buy it or read ii or to advertise in it,.
They cannot consistently do less than
this. Another instance in which re-.
ligious people set perniciouS ex-
ample is in patronizing railroads on
the Sabbath day They seem to i'm
agine that because trains are running
it can do no harm for them to travel.
But this is great mistake. Railroad
companies are doing great deal to
destroy the sarredness of the Sabbath
and they should not be encouraged
in this wickedness by christian peu-
pie. Again, the manner in which
church gOerS pairOniZe the poSlotfice
department on Sundy is doing great
deal of harm. If one would take a
peep into the village p0stntfire on a
Sunday afternoon it would he very
difficult to separate the sheep from
the goats. All alike seem utterly
nhliviGus to the fact that il is Gntl'>
day. How many good housewives
stay away from the church services
on Sunday in order that they may
provide a better dinner than usual
The example set to children and the
rising generation generally in this re-
gard is very unWholesome. | have
used these simple and hOmeiy Illus
trations because they are familiar tn
all the people. They come under the
observation of every man and wo-
man, and call their attention to the
thousands of ways in which the Sab.
bath is not only deserrated, but unne,
ces>ariIy desecrated. There is scarcely
christian home in all this broad
land where reform in this regard is
unnecessary. No work save works ol
necessity (abSolute necessity and
charity should be performed on Sun.
day. Neither shOnld the day he
spent in vain or idle amusement, but
II is and should he day of holy rest.
If all persons who profess TO he fol-
lowers of the Lord Jesus Christ would
faithfully in the light of Gods word
observe the Sabbath day to keep it
holy, public sentiment would under
go wonderful change upon this sub
jet. 80 that my ways were directed
to keep thy statutes. Then shalt /
not be ashamed wnen 1 have respect
unto all thy commandments"
HoREM.