The Newtown bee., 1904-01-15
EXPERIENCING THE SABBATH DAY
SOME OF THE SAME SPIRIT NEEDED IN
 1904.

held by the fathers IS m Str1klng con- trast to the so-called liberty of 1904. The following interesting document, Memorial to Congress, signed by Rev Dr Burhans, rector of Trinity church, and Rev William Mitchell, then pastor of the Congregational church, has been handed us by B. l.. Johnson. It is dated 1929, and is as follows:
 The undersigned, having been ap- pointed a committee to prepare a memorial to Congress on the subject of the transportation of the mail on the Sabbath, and highly approving of the sentiments contained in the fol- lowing memorial of the citizens of Boston, respectfully commend the same to the consideration of the friends of the Sabbath in the town.
 $5S%3 5S$$SS:
 January Il, 1929, Newtown, Ct.
 To the Honorable the Senate and
 House of Representatives of the
 United States, in Congress assem-
 bled:
 The undersigned would respectfully represent, That the transportation of the mail on the Sabbath, and the open ing of the Postoff1ces on that day are great public evils, in no sense neces- sary, and not counterbalanced by any supposed convenience arising from them. They regard the institution of the Sabbath as one of the most striking proofs of the divine beneticence, and as affording the only adequate means for preserving the fear of God, the sancti- ty of oaths, genuine personal integrity, the public morals, and our civil and political privileges. Though there are too many in our land who practically disregard the Sabbath, yet it is be- lieved there are few who would willing ly see that sacred day abolished. As a people, the inhabitants of the United States, if they were able to speak their l minds, would demand the preserva- l tion of the Sabbath. They have the deepest interest in demanding it; for if all the restraints of religion were removed, our national prosperity and our political freedom would sOnn de- part, to return no more. But what could not be done directly and at once, may be done gradually and too effectu ally if the Sabbath should be secular ized. Your Memorialists are fully convinced that the transporta tion o1 the mail on the Sabbath, and the open ing of postoffices on that day operate constantly and powerfully to bring tht Sabbath itself into neglect and con
 tempt; that these causes are more diff
 fcult to be limited and counteracte(
 by the true friends of their cOuntr,
 than any other, if not all other cause
 combined; and that no remedy can b.
 found, unless the national authorit, l shall interpose to correct the evils F We rejoice in the principles of univer sal religious toleration on which ou t general government is founded; ant ] we would by no means desire tha
 Congress should ever have the const
 tutional power of interfering in mat 2 ters of religion. All that we reques E is, that the powers Of the government
 given for good and legitimate objects
 should not be used to weaken the ir , fluence of religion, and thus deprive U
 of the valuable privileges transmitte u to us by our ancestors. The numbe r of persons connected with the pos IA office establishment is very great an T annually increasing. The number ( those who are indirectly affected t !" that establishment is still greater; an
 the consequences of violation of tt
 Sabbath by it's officers and agents al n felt by very large portion of the COT D. munity. In conclusion, your memol W alists would respectfully remind yo,
 honorable bodies It the whole. GU
 rent of history al 11l
 pr fo USr of the inh,1