Year: 1876

considered how he should extricate him.
self from the dilemma in which he had
become involved, and which was likely
to bring reproach upon his character as
an orthodox and orderly member Of
church. At length, the happy thought
occurred TO him that il he would 20 and
inform upon himself such an instance Of
self.sacrifce, disinterested zeal and re-
spect for principle, would not only
clear his escutcheon from every stain
but elevate him even higher than ever in
the esteem Of the faithful. This bright
idea was accompanied, or, Us some might
be so uncharitable as to think, preceded, by
another reflection OF uncommon weight,
which wa. that as half the 6ne went to the
informer, he would save tro dollars by in
forming upon himself. Accordingly, he
at once resolved to dOit, and going next
morning to the Magistrate at an early
hour, lest any one should anticipate him
in the performance Of what he felt was
his peculiar duty, gave the information
In due form and rendered half the fine as
full and efficient eXpiation for the Of
fense he had committed. The Magistrate,
however, could not see the matter in that
light, not being able to discover that the
law had made any provision for so extra
ordinary case; and so, reminding the
pious culprit that the money went to the
support OF preachers, compelled him to
pay the whole fne."


DR.. Richardson, in his comments upon



the animus Of these societies, makes the
following observation: at will be no.
ticed that they attempted to engraft upon
the civil code their peculiar religious
views in regard to the Sabbath and to
compel by law the whole community to
submit to the Judaizing opinions which
they had themselves imbibed from their
religious teachers"


The Pittsburgh ministers who are now
engaged in demanding the discipline of
Mr.. Ncvin, seem, like the members Of the
societies referred to, to have imbibed Ju-
daizing views Of Sunday, and no doubt
from the same sources. But, to be con-
sistent, why do they stop with Mr.. Nevin
simply because he is the owner OF an in
terest in Sunday paper? Why do they
not demand the discipline OF all their
members who own shares in Sunday street
railroads in Pittsburgh? There is no
reason why the former should be dealt
with and the latter allowed to escape, and
the result OF noticing one case OF so.called
Sabbath desecration and ignoring scores
Of others, will be to bring popular ridicule
upon Themselves. The public arc quick
to sympathize with seeming persecution.
Why also do thcynot proceed against such
OF their members as own stock in the news
papers that are set up on Sunday, al
though not issued until Monday morn
ing? As a matter sof fact, the Monday
newspapers do moro work on Sunday than
the so.call Sunday newspapers, the only
difference being that the carriers deliver
the latter on Sunday and offend the pub
lie ear by their noisy vociferations. 1t
seems very absurd to single out ono poor
mortal for sacrifice when there are SO
many amenable to the same authority for
the same ofIense. No doubt the Sewickley
Church can be compelled to dismiss Mr..
Nevin, but the public will make the
same sort OF note OF it, under the cir.
cumstances, that they did when George H
Stuart was dropped from the rolls in
Philadelphia, and, in the end, a great deal
more harm shan good will result.