Sabbath Excursions and Sunday Train Criticism
Correspondents will please bear in mind that no attention is paid to anonymous communications. Orders for the Theological Trilemma, noticed in REVIEW of June 6, may be sent to this Office. Price $1.00. The latest and most absurd thing we have seen on the Sabbath question in behalf of Sunday-keeping is a pamphlet of 34 pages by Wm. C. Thurman. The name of the author, with those who are acquainted with his writings, will be sufficient to satisfy their minds in regard to the nature of the book. It is simply a waste of time to read it. “SABBATH EXCURSIONS.—The running of Sabbath trains on the railroads is a sin that will meet with judgment, perhaps very speedily, but certainly at some time. The companies that violate God’s command in this regard may as well consider the results before as after they actually occur. If there were no warning, the excuse for the business might avail. But the warning stands in God’s word, and there is no excuse. There will be no one to blame but the guilty parties when the punishment comes. We are not speaking vain words, but sober words of truth. The running of trains on Sabbath has been begun between this city and Cincinnati. We pronounce this an open and willful violation of Christian morality, and a bold act of defiance before God. It will not go unpunished.—Religious Telescope, (Dayton, O.)” By the Sabbath, the Telescope of course means Sunday. It solemnly reins up the railroad companies before God, and the commandment of God, and the judgments of God, for pursuing their business on that day. But will the Telescope please tell us what “command” of God is violated by working on Sunday, and where any divine threatening is recorded against that practice. It is well to know whereof we affirm when we presume to sit in judgment on our fellow-men in regard to the statutes and requirements of Jehovah.