Calamities in this world come, to some extent, upon all. But do they come as often, and to so great an extent, upon those who obey the natural and moral laws of God, as upon those who openly and habitually violate them? Do the intemperate, the thief, and the murderer ordinarily secure and retain as many blessings in this world, as the temperate, the honest, and the pious?

Do notorious and habitual Sabbath-breakers, who devote the day to worldly business, travelling, and amusement, acquire as much property, keep it as long, and as often transmit it, as a blessing to their children, as those who conscientiously abstain from those practices, and regularly attend the public worship of God, on the Lord's day? Let the Bible and facts determine. Look at the men who, for the last forty years, have disregarded the Sabbath, and pursued their course of business or amusement seven days in a week; look at their children and children's children, and compare them, as a body, with those who kept the Sabbath, and trained up their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord; and let the convictions of every sober, candid, and reflecting man determine. Aged men, in great numbers, after extensive observation, through a long course of years, have expressed a strong conviction that facts echo the declarations, "Six days shalt thou labour and do all thy work; but remember the Sabbath day, and keep it holy."

Any man may die suddenly by fire or water, lightning or disease. It is not a part of the Saviour's promise, even to his friends, that they shall not die suddenly. He evidently teaches that they may, and, in view of it, says, "Watch, therefore, for in such an hour as ye think not, the Son of man cometh." "And what I say unto you, I say unto all, Watch!" man, whatever his character, can be sure that he will not, the next hour, be in eternity. That is a reason why no man should break the Sabbath, or in any way knowingly disobey God. He may die while doing it. That is a reason why every man should, at all times,

No

Father in heaven, in purpose of promoting "Blessed is that sercometh, shall find so

be found doing the will of his dependence on his grace, for the his glory, and the good of men. vant whom his Lord, when he doing. If he shall come in the second watch, or in the third watch, blessed is that servant." While "the wicked is driven away in his wickedness," "the righteous hath hope in his death." However suddenly, in whatever way, he is removed from earth, though to live was Christ, through Him that loved him and gave himself for him, to die shall be gain.

Let each one, then, in every condition, fear God and keep his commandments; for this is the duty, the right, the privilege, the wisdom, the safety, the excellence, and the blessedness of man.

RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED BY NUMEROUS BODIES OF MEN IN VARIOUS PARTS OF THE UNITED STATES.

1. Resolved, That as but six days in a week have been made for secular business, and no more have ever been given to men for that purpose, if they take more, it is without right, in opposition to the revealed will of God, and in violation of his law, the penalty of which will show that "the way of transgressors is hard."

2. Resolved, That, as the Sabbath was made for man, and the observance of it is essential to the highest social, civil, and religious interests of men, it is not only the duty, but the right and the privilege of all men to remember it and keep it holy.

3. Resolved, That the loading and unloading of vessels, the sailing of vessels from the harbour, the running of stage-coaches, rail-cars, and canalboats, and the travelling in them, the visiting of post offices, reading-rooms, and other places for secular reading, business, or amusement, are not only unnecessary, but are violations of the law of God, and ought to be abandoned throughout the community.

4. Resolved, That it be recommended to all families to supply themselves with some good Sabbath Manual, that the rising generation may all understand the reasons for the universal and perpetual observance of the Christian Sabbath.

5. Resolved, That all persons who are acquainted with facts which illus trate the duty and utility of observing the Sabbath, and the evils of viola ting it, are requested to cause them to be published and circulated as extensively as possible, that the voice of God in his providence, as well as in his word, with regard to this subject, may be heard by the people.

6. Resolved, That such is the fundamental importance of the Christian Sabbath, and such its influence upon all the great interests of men, that its due observance ought to receive the earnest attention, the fervent prayers, and the hearty, active, and persevering co-operation of all friends of God and man throughout the world.

THE END.

OF

PRESBYTERY AND PRELACY

ON

CIVIL AND ECCLESIASTICAL LIBERTY.

BY THE REV. T. V. MOORE,

OF CARLISLE, PENNSYLVANIA.

STAND FAST THEREFORE IN THE LIBERTY WHEREWITH CHRIST HATH MADE US FREE......Galatians v. 1.

PHILADELPHIA:

PRESBYTERIAN BOARD OF PUBLICATION.

RELATIVE INFLUENCE

OF

PRESBYTERY AND PRELACY

ON

CIVIL AND ECCLESIASTICAL LIBERTY.

Stand fast therefore in the liberty, wherewith Christ hath made us free.-GALATIANS v. 1.

THERE is no slavery more abject and absolute than that of sin. It begins with the first stirrings of moral life, and extends to every faculty of moral action. It imposes habits the most rigid and unbending, exacts indulgences the most foul and degrading, and requires sacrifices the most costly and ruinous, without intermitting for a single instant the despotism of its sway. The miserable victim of this thrall, if disposed for a time to assert his independence, is driven with the lash of consuming appetites, inexorable habits, or groundless fears, to his former obedience. And so pervading is this enslaving process, that its wretched object is usually unconscious of the yoke. He hugs the chains that bind him, as the very badges of his liberty, and complacently pities those whom he regards as bound, ignobly and irksomely, in the bondage of religious or virtuous

restraint.

From this internal slavery has flowed all external oppression. The slavery of the heart has been the parent of its tyranny. The relentless despot who prostrates all right and rule to his capricious passion, is only a tyrant because he is a slave. He is impelled to conquer and enslave others, because he cannot conquer and govern himself. He is like the swollen and lawless torrent that has broken down the banks which at once confined and directed its energies, whose very power of injury depends on its weakness of restraint. The rights of others would never have been in