STOPPING SUNDAY TRAINS.
By C. P. B.
Such is the title of an article in the Congregationalist of May 2, and as it gives a good idea of what is being done in behalf of Sunday in the single item of limiting railroad traffic upon that day, we reprint the greater part of it, as follows:— “We welcome the announcement that, on what is known as the ‘Vanderbilt system’ of railroads, a great reduction in the number of freight trains on Sunday was made upon May 1. This system includes the Lake Shore, West Shore, Nickel Plate, Michigan Central, New York Central, and the ‘P’ roads. Hereafter, from six o’clock on Saturday afternoon until six o’clock on Monday morning no freight trains will be run on any of these roads, except such as may be necessary to convey fruit and other quickly perishable goods. This change is expected to reduce the Sunday traffic at least one-half, and to give a large number of employes the benefit of Sunday as a day of rest and worship. It is also stated that the management of the Grand Trunk Railroad, as well as that of the Delaware and Hudson road, have made the same change of policy. That of the Boston and Maine road also has just cut Sunday work down to the limit of necessity. “This certainly is one of the longest and most practical single steps which has yet been made in the direction of reform in respect to Sabbath observance. As with other reforms, so with this, there has been plenty of voluble talk, but a conspicuous lack of sustained and wisely-directed endeavor. Recently, however, public attention has been directed to the subject afresh, and more judiciously than formerly, and systematic effort to redeem the fast-degenerating character of the day has been begun. This effort has been directed specifically to the reduction of Sunday railroad traffic, among other objects, and whether the action of the managers of the Vanderbilt and other roads has been due to the Sabbath reformers or not, it is directly in the line of their proper desires. “The chief hindrance to the success of the new policy is likely to be a reluctance to adopt it generally. For roads which adopt it to compete successfully with other roads will be difficult, and possibly, in some instances, it may prove impossible. Fortunately the roads which are linked together in support of the proposed reform are so many and so important that they will be able to make a powerful fight for their policy. We believe that they, and it, will succeed. Its advantages are certain to be so great, if there be the wisdom in management which fairly may be expected, that other roads, instead of forcing its abandonment, are more likely to find themselves compelled to adopt it, and to become the more prosperous for its adoption. It will go far toward convincing railroad men of the good-will of the companies. It will have the sympathy and support of all Christian people, and of all who appreciate the value of a quiet Sunday. It will have the divine blessing, too, we may be sure.” What warrant the Congregationalist has for assuming that this movement “will have the divine blessing” does not appear. True, the Sunday people call that day “the Sabbath,” but that does not make it so. We have the word of God for it that “the seventh day is the Sabbath,” “the Lord’s day,” and we have the promise, too, “Blessed is the man . . . that keepeth the Sabbath from polluting it,” but the text has no reference to the keeping of Sunday. Of course the movement will have the support and sympathy of “Christian people,” and also of many who are not Christians, some from one motive, some from another. But we have no idea that the railroad employes, who will now be compelled to do the same amount of work in six days, and for six days’ pay, which they formerly did in seven days, for seven days’ pay, will be so enthusiastic over the change. A few who have conscientious scruples against working on Sunday may welcome the change, even though it entail financial loss; others would probably prefer the old order. The men who can spend Sunday at home with their families may be benefited morally, to the others it will not in that respect be an unmixed good. But be the result what it may to the mass, it marks an important era in the history of the Sunday movement. Once the railroads have fallen into line for Sunday those who are laboring to secure rigid laws enforcing its observance upon all will find their task much easier than at present. C. P. B.