Year: 1879

COAKMERCIAL TRAVELLERS.


The Claims Of the Gospel Upon Them as
Presented by Rev. Dr.. Dana Last Even


ing.


The Rev. DR.. Dana preached an interest
ing sermon at Plymouth church last evening
on the subject of ''The Gospels claims on
Commercial Travellers taking his text from
Numbers, xv chapter, xvi verse:


Zone law and one manner shall be for you
and for the stranger that sojourneth with
you.'


That was an important provision in the
Mosaic economy which brought the stranger
under the same religious obligations and
privileges as the Jew. He was not to be shut
out as unworthy, or neglected, as if what he
did was matter of no ones concern. For
the sojourner was by command to share in
Israels worship, and to observe to do all that
was appointed to the latter. Thus early in
the history of the chosen people was interest
shown in the religious welfare of the stran-
ger. This is remarkable fact since by no
other religion was the stranger cared for, nor
was he made welcome to rites and privil-
eges usually confined to those who inherited
them or held them by virtue of race-claims.


Passing into the new testament, we find
this interest in strangers even more promi-
nent, and on the ground of universal broth
erhood were such to be remembered and
ministered to. 1t is now a practical problem
to know how to do two things-frst, inter
est and religiously keep hold of so-called
strangers, and, second, impress upon the lat
ter the obligations they are under to Christ
ovoI hIc Ohr,rn xrIon fhnu (vn 10
nothing that tends more to imperil Christian
life than constant travelling and the enforced
absence from home and it's restraints, which
that kind of life necessitates. Yet much can
be done for those following this occupation
by-frst, manifesting Christian sympathy
for them, and, second, by seeking to deepen
the obligations they are under to maintain
Christian spirit and conduct in their nomadic
life.


In country like ours, where consumers
live at distance from the markets, there
must needs be large class occupied in
seeking out the former and sell
ing them what they need, through
samples, and the solicitation of orders. Gus
toners used to visit the seller, and make
regular trips to the centers of trade. Now
trade employs an army of agents to seek out
the customer, and sell him what he wants in
his own store and town. This fact has
alled into existence new class of agents,
called Commercial Travellers or in homelier
terms "drummers." It has grown to be
numerically of great size and increasing i'm
portance. The latest statistics put the fig
ures as high as 900 for the United States
and Canada, involving an annual expense of
1852 100000. They are, moreover, for the
most part, young men, selected for their
good address and quick perception, and gen.
eral business tact. An army of picked men
trade wise of great value, and capable of
exerting vast influence of good or evil. To
begin with, thoy are exposed to special
temptations, such as render Christian living
offtimes most difficult, and then again their
very mode of life has tendency to loosen
the good of moral obligation, and make them
careless, if not openly wicked. Two of the
greatest safeguards of lofty and pure life
are wanting in their case, viz: The re-
straints of home life, and the association
with neighbors and friends in the duties and
privilege of religious society.


Well now, there are mutual oblig gations it
| would be we'll for the church and this class
| to hold in mind and to indeavor to heed.
| On the part of the church are the duties of


st-Manifesting special interest in this
class. This can be done by being watchful
to welcome the stranger who attends worship
in any of our Christian churches, the place of
all others where he should be made to
feel at home, in our common Fathers
house, and before the cross of
the one Savior of all mankind.
Here he should find cordial greeting, and
meet with a kindly notice, till his loneliness
shall be forgotten and his kinship with Gods
people be established. Too many of our
| churches are cold and Indifferent to the
stranger; the latter comes and departs un-
recognized and ungreeted. In this way we
! lose hold of persons who otherwise might
| make the church their place of meeting with
those who in Christ's name should be their
| friends and brethren.


Second-The church can make more or
less direct efforts to reach those sojourning
in the place over the Sabbath. It has,
through the Young Mems Christian associa-
ton, done good deal in this direction, and
done it most effectively. Cards of invitation
to the various church services have in many
places been sent to those temporarily tarry-
ing at the hotels of the town or city. Pub
lie directories to the churches have been
placed in the hotels, that strangers might
make their own selection and feel that by
this means they were invited to attend
wherever their preferences inclined them.
On the other hand, these strangers or
commercial travellers, which in all our large
cities are found in considerable numbers
tarrying over the Sabbath, are under obliga-
tons


First-To maintain, when travelling or So
iournng. as careful department as when at
home; to be as scrupulous about church
going as if with their families; to avail
themselves of the opportunity to worship
God every Lords day and make their exam
pie tell on the side of that which is Chris
tian. If they would be recipient of kindly
religious notice and help, they must bear in
mind they can and shonld be givers of help
to the congregations they can unite with and
whom their presence would encourage and
interest.


Second-They should seek to make them
selves known to Christians as fellow-workers
and as interested in the religious we'll being
of the communities they visit. In this way,
those of this class who are Christians could
| be of immense service. Their visits would
be priced for the religious cheer and help
| they would bring, and their influence would
be felt on the sight of right and in favor of
the church.


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