Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1900-03-05
SABBATH BREAKING.
REV. RoBT. H. WILLIAMS
On Legalizing Sabbath Break
ing-It Will Be Another
Week Day.

The Rev. Robert II. Williams, of Wal
brook. Baltimore county. formerly pastor
of the Presbyterian Church, this city,
sends the following TO the CAPITAL on the
great responsibility for legislators to sane
ton and legalize Sabbath breaking:
Messrs. Editors-The Sabbath is al
ready abolished in the experience and
estimation OF many men. The age is be-
coming so practical and so absorbed in
work, that there is no Sabbath rest to
great many people. To this large num-
Der OF our population. it is proposed to
add great many more by such modifi-
cation Of good law as shall invite them
to make the holy day as any other day
of the week.
The sin OF the individual in ignoring
the command of God is very great, but
for State, through its legislators, to
sanction and legallze the breaking OF the
Sabbath. is sin OF greater magnitude.
For man to say. Il have right TO do
as please on the Sabbath, is one thing.
For the legislator, who is acting for 9TH
ers. TO invite the people. not for a day
but for years. TO trample on one of the
commandments OF God. is quite another
thing.
We fancy it was such a view of this
subject as led good many men in other
days to pause In opening the way for a
great desecration OF the Sabbath. They
felt the responsibility that rested upon
them as lawmakers. They did not want
TO ignore, or hold in low esteem the laws
of the great Lawgiver. The act OF the
individual is his own, and he will be. re-
sponsible for it. The act of the Legisla-
ture is the act of the State. and the State
will be responsible for it. II is not his
own preference that the legislator is TO
regard, but the good of the State.
To make all days of the week alike is
not for the public good. To abolish the
Sabbath, or to help other people abolish
1t, is not to be helpful to any class of our
people. The church has been condemn
ed for her defense of the Sabbath, and
yet any one can see that il is a broad
view OF the public good that she takes.
She does not stand up for any particular
class in the State, neither for the mer-
chant. nor the manufacturer, nor the arti-
Zan. but wants to know what is best for
all kinds OF employments. what will in
crease the public benefit.
The great all-wise Lawgiver has said,
Remember the Sabbath day and keep
it holy" The church believes that God
knew what is best for his creatures in all
ages of the world. The history of nations
and of individuals show it is best to obey
that command. In defence of that day,
Christian men, not ministers only, but
laymen, who were greatly in the major
ity, went to Annapolis at the invitation
OF committee. who wanted the informa-
ton they could give them.
The names of many of them are well
known and honored throughout the State
and far beyond. The names on the peti.
tons are the best in the State. Com
monty, We make a good deal of names,
Then the positions these persons fill are
| the highest in the State. Eminent law
| yeis, distinguished educators, bankers,
manufacturers. merchants, ministers and
| others plead that our laws on Sabbath
observance may remain as they are
Many commilIees and delegations have
gone to Annapolis to secure legislation.
but we venture TO say, that none have
gone there represented more truly the
will OF the people from the highest to the
lowest than these.
Then they went from the highest mo-
tives. They did not think OF their own
business. There was no financial profit
in what they were seeking. II was the
public good they were seeking. and the
poorest and most obscure are partakers
with them in the public good. II we
would not abolish the Sabbath for good
many more than have already abolished
| it; il we would not increase the guilt by
making the State a party to il: if we
would not hinder instead of helping our
people; if we would not despise honored
names and honored positions and noble
motives, let us help our legislators de-
fend and save our Sabbath.