Getting Mail on the Sabbath.
A CORRESPONDENT inquires if it is right to call at the post-office for mail, on the Sabbath, in going to and from meeting; especially in the case of those living in places where they have the privilege of going to the P. O. every day in the week. This question was made the subject of discussion in the Literary Society, Jan. 27, 1873. After the discussion, it was referred to a committee, who reported at the following meeting, Feb. 3. The substance of their report was, that every transaction of a secular nature should be omitted on the Sabbath, so far as is consistent with necessity and mercy. In the case of those who live where they have daily access to the office, it was the opinion of the committee that there is no question. They should neither obtain the mail themselves nor allow their children to do so. But the claims of mercy and the demands of necessity sometimes allow of acts which are in themselves violations of the letter of the Sabbath law; and like all other transactions, obtaining mail from the P. O. may sometimes come under that head; and every person must be left to his own conscience to decide when this is necessary.