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appear in the public papers. Such have enjoyed the smiles of divine publications in news-papers and other periodical works are useful, not only to disseminate information, but to excite and cherish a general interest in the subject. It may be added, that many serious persons, and especially the whole presbyterian interest, in the middle and southern states, are feelingly alive to the importance of the Sabbath, and exerting themselves to restrain its profanation. Can so much labor in so good a cause be fruitless? Can the prayers of so many Christians be in vain?

providence. Every united and persevering effort has been crowned with such success, as demonstrates difficulties to be much less formidable, than had been supposed, and affords the most ample encouragement to general exertion and perseverance. Let past success stimulate to continued exertion and perseverance, and not be abused to encourage remissness. It must not be concealed, that the evil, however checked, is not eradicated; and what still remains will, if tolerated, be a constant root of bitterness. All unOf the importance of the christian necessary travel and business on the Sabbath nothing need here be said. Lord's day, must be restrained, or past At no period for many years has its exertions will be lost. Those, who at importance been so generally and first yielded to the voice of remondeeply impressed on the minds of se strance, will not be contented under rerious persons. It will be readily ad-straints, to which bolder transgressors mitted, that on the preservation of the are not subjected. If any continue to viSabbath depends the preservation of olate the law with impunity,the idea of the public institutions of religion; and its insufficiency, which had so long prethat religious institutions will be neg-vailed and palsied exertion,will be re-eslected, in proportion as the Sabbath is disregarded. Nor can it be doubted that impressions made by a religious observation of the Lord's day, are more effectual in restraining vice and enforcing moral duties, than civil laws. Let our Sabbaths and religious institutions be lost, and what becomes of the sanction of an oath ?-what dependance can be placed on decisions in courts of justice ?-what will be the value of our civil institutions? All the dreadful consequences here suggested may not immediately follow ;--but the next generation will assuredly feel them. And has not the Sabbath, in many parts of our country, been well nigh lost? Has not the effect been visible, in a growing neglect of the sanctuary, and in the increase and boldness of infidelity and vice? Must we not apprehend, that for these things the judgments of God are on our land?

These considerations have roused the friends of religion to exertion They have in this Commonwealth ac ted under the express approbation and encouragement of the Legislature, and

tablished, and the evil will become still more inveterate. Reformation must be completed, or abandoned. The question of Sabbath or no Sabbath may within a few months be settled, for this and coming generations. Let every serious mind reflect on the influences, and responsibility, which he may have in the decision.

What then is to be done? This publication is designed to point out a plain and safe path,in which the friends of the Sabbath may proceed with confidence, to the attainment of their object. Let those in every town, who are disposed to encourage the execution of the laws, assemble, either in town meetings or voluntary conventions, as circumstances may dictate, and choose large and respectable committees to go forward and direct in the business. Such committees will feel a responsibility, a confidence of support, and an energy, which they would not feel in their individual capacity. These feelings will be increased by frequent meetings for consultation. The more serious persons look at this object, converse upon it, and consider its influence on

Directions to Tithingmen, and others, || to the demands of the Tithingman.how to prevent unnecessary travel-For the first mentioned offence, he ling on the Lord's day.

1. Have complaints, and warrants prepared, (except adding names, and places of abode,) previous to the Lord's Day.

2. Let a Magistrate, and an officer be near at hand, on the Lord's Day, so that should it be necessary, a complaint may be entered, and a warrant Issued, and executed, without delay.

3. Let the Tithingman examine all persons, whom he shall have good cause to suspect of unnecessarily travelling on the Lord's Day; demand of them the reason of their travelling; and also their names, and places of abode. If the reason be not satisfactory, and there be danger of the traveller's escape, let a complaint be immediately entered, before a Justice of the Peace in the County wherein the offence may be committed, a warrant immediately issued, and executed, and the travelter kept in the custody of the officer, till he can have his trial. If there be no danger of the traveller's escape, it will be proper to delay entering the complaint, till after the Lord's Day.

may be fined, by the Justice of the Peace: for the last mentioned offence, viz. not giving true answers to the demands of the Tithingman, he may be bound over to Court; and be prosecuted by presentment of the Grand Jury, before the Circuit Court of Common Pleas.

5. If the offender have escaped out of the County, let the Tithingman give information to the Grand Jury of the Circuit Court of Common Pleas.

6. Any citizen may prosecute for unnessary travelling on the Lord's Day, under the same advantages as a Tithingman, except in case where the complainant is entitled to a part of the fine, he cannot himself be a witness: but to obviate this difficulty, let some other person enter the complaint, and the citizen aforesaid be cited as a witness.

It may be added, that refusing to answer the enquiries of any person not a Tithingman, is not a legal offence.

Note. No Tithingman should receive a fine of offenders, even if offered.

ADDRESS TO THE PUBLIC.
General accounts are continually re-

4. Should a traveller refuse to give the Tithingman his name, he may be prosecuted under any name; and when he proves that he has been mis-ceived, of the extension of exertions named, let his true name, by consent of both parties, be inserted.

to prevent violations of the Sabbath in various parts of this Commonwealth and of New-Hampshire. In Connecticut exertion has already become universal; and wherever made, is successful. About ninety persons were present at a convention at Worcester, on the 19th of October; and it was resolved, among other things, to form themselves into a society for the sup

If the traveller will not consent to this amendment, the warrant must be quashed; but before he is discharged a new warrant, containing his true name may be issued, and executed. There need be no embarrassment in making out, or swearing to a complaint with a supposed name, as the name is, in a legal view, an unessential circum-pression of vice in general, and parstance. The Justice may explain, or in administering the oath, qualify it with words like these, "though you are uncertain with respect to the true name of the offender."

In this case, the traveller is guilty of two distinct offences, viz. of unnecessary travelling on the Lord's Day, and also of refusing to give true answers,

ticularly of profanity, intemperance, and the profanation of the Lord's Day. Minor societies are to be formed in each town, which are in future to send delegates to the general society.This is only a sketch, communicated by an individual from memory. A more particular account of this and other conventions will probably soon

appear in the public papers. Such have enjoyed the smiles of divine publications in news-papers and other periodical works are useful, not only to disseminate information, but to excite and cherish a general interest in the subject. It may be added, that many serious persons, and especially the whole presbyterian interest, in the middle and southern states, are feelingly alive to the importance of the Sabbath, and exerting themselves to restrain its profanation. Can so much labor in so good a cause be fruitless? Can the prayers of so many Christians be in vain?

providence. Every united and persevering effort has been crowned with such success, as demonstrates difficulties to be much less formidable, than had been supposed, and affords the most ample encouragement to general exertion and perseverance. Let past success stimulate to continued exertion and perseverance, and not be abused to encourage remissness. It must not be concealed, that the evil, however checked, is not eradicated; and what still remains will, if tolerated, be a constant root of bitterness. All unOf the importance of the christian necessary travel and business on the Sabbath nothing need here be said. Lord's day, must be restrained, or past At no period for many years has its exertions will be lost. Those, who at importance been so generally and first yielded to the voice of remondeeply impressed on the minds of se strance, will not be contented under rerious persons. It will be readily ad-straints, to which bolder transgressors mitted, that on the preservation of the are not subjected, If any continue to viSabbath depends the preservation of olate the law with impunity,the idea of the public institutions of religion; and its insufficiency, which had so long prethat religious institutions will be neg-vailed and palsied exertion,will be re-eslected, in proportion as the Sabbath is disregarded. Nor can it be doubted that impressions made by a religious observation of the Lord's day, are more effectual in restraining vice and enforcing moral duties, than civil laws. Let our Sabbaths and religious insti-every serious mind reflect on the intutions be lost, and what becomes of the sanction of an oath ?—what dependance can be placed on decisions in courts of justice?-what will be the value of our civil institutions? All the dreadful consequences here suggested may not immediately follow; but the next generation will assuredly feel them. And has not the Sabbath, in many parts of our country, been well nigh lost? Has not the effect been visible, in a growing neglect of the sanctuary, and in the increase and boldness of infidelity and vice? Must we not apprehend, that for these things the judgments of God are on our land?

These considerations have roused the friends of religion to exertion · They have in this Commonwealth ac ted under the express approbation and encouragement of the Legislature, and

tablished, and the evil will become still more inveterate. Reformation must be completed, or abandoned. The question of Sabbath or no Sabbath may within a few months be settled, for this and coming generations. Let

fluences, and responsibility, which ke may have in the decision.

What then is to be done? This publication is designed to point out a plain and safe path,in which the friends of the Sabbath may proceed with confidence, to the attainment of their object. Let those in every town, who are disposed to encourage the execution of the laws, assemble, either in town meetings or voluntary conventions, as circumstances may dictate, and choose large and respectable committees to go forward and direct in the business. Such committees will feel a responsibility, a confidence of support, and an energy, which they would not feel in their individual capacity. These feelings will be increased by frequent meetings for consultation. The more serious persons look at this object, converse upon it, and consider its influence on

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the happiness of society, and on the and permanent effect could be expectchurch of the Redeemer, the more ed. Although the measures there rewill they be impressed with its im- commended will at first require volunportance, and the more heartily and tary sacrifices of time on the Lord's prayerfully will they pursue it. As Day, painful exertions in prosecuting iron sharpeneth iron, so a man sharp-offenders, and in some instances exeneth the countenance of his friend. traordinary expense in detecting them, For the same reasons, frequent meet- does not the evil to be remedied res ings of larger bodies, formed by dele- quire such sacrifices, and the object to gations from several towns, epistolary be attained deserve them? especially correspondencies, and publications on when it is considered that they will the subject, are recommended as high-be necessary only for a short sealy useful and important.

son? By such measures, the most resolute offenders may not only be punished, but, when there is danger of their escape, be immediately secured. The penalties are such as will not be incurred, when it is once well understood that there is no hope of escaping them, and when it is considered that the penalty of 16 dollars 66 cents for refusing to answer a Tithingman, or for answering him falsely, is distinct from that for travelling on the Sabbath, and may be recovered in addition to it, and that both these pe nalties may be recovered in every town, and as often as the offences are repeated. Such is the efficiency of the law! Is it not adequate to the pur

It appears, from the directions to Tithingmen, and others, engaged in suppressing violations of the Sabbath, now published, that members of committees, and in fact all individuals, who engage in this business, can act with nearly the same advantages as Tithingmen. This is an important consideration, as in some places a sufficient number of Tithingmen have not been chosen and qualified, and the defect cannot be legally remedied before March. Committees must, therefore, in the mean time, act in their stead....and if in any towns there should be a majority of legal voters unwilling to interest themselves in favor of the law, and a sufficient num-pose for which it was made? Is not ber of suitable Tithingmen cannot be chosen, it must be remembered, that the laws of the commonwealth are not to be controlled by the enemies of order and religion in any district where they happen to be a majority. Every individual, who is conscientiously acting in support of the laws of his God and his country, is under the protec-bitually doing business on high roads tion and will have the support of his and canals on the Sabbath, have encountry and his GOD. May none, tirely neglected religious institutions, whatever opposition they may en-may, when restrained, be induced, for counter, be backward or weary in well doing; for in due season they shall reap, if they faint not.

An attentive view of the subject, assisted by considerable experience, dictated the energetic measures which appear in the report and resolutions unanimously adopted by the Convention at Concord. They were satisfied that without exertions as vigorous as the law contemplates, no adequate

such energy, as shall at once remove temptations to violate it, by destroying the hope of escaping punishment, and so prevent the necessity of future prosecutions, the greatest benevolence?

Obstinate transgressors may in some instances be reformed and saved, by such a course. Those who, from ha

want of other employment, or from mere curiosity, to attend the instructions of the sanctuary. And who can tell but they may in some instances, like Zaccheus, receive salutary and lasting impressions? It is also well known that many persons travel on the Sabbath against the conviction of their own minds, being unable to resist the temptation to a gainful practice, which others indulge, and to yield an advan

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Let, then, Tithingmen and commit

tage to their less scrupulous rivals.-paid by the state. But if complaints Such would rejoice to see the law im-are made with prudence, and only in partially executed, and would regular-cases where travelling or labor on the ly attend public worship and instruc- Sabbath are clearly unjustifiable, or tion. Besides these effects on trans-where offences are attended by aggragressors, the influence of example, es-vated circumstances, there is no danpecially on the rising generation,would ger of the failure of prosecutions. No be incalculable. The solemn stillness instances of a failure in any case has of a well observed Sabbath, would come to our knowledge. powerfully promote its right improvement. These effects cannot be ex-tees use decision and energy, together pected without a faithful execution of with prudence and benevolence; let the laws. a number of persons in every town agree to be answerable for any extraordinary expense which may be incurred in prudent exertions to secure such offenders as might otherwise escape; and let the other measures recommended and pointed out in this pamphlet be generally pursued; and the effect will be certain. It is the cause of God; and when has He, after exciting his servants to pray, consult together, and labor to promote reformation, suffered the work to languish and die in their hands? Without stopping to consider scripture examples, let us look at moral, missionary and Bible societies! How glorious, how surpas

But what are laws without public opinion in their favor, and energy to execute them? By our laws, duelling is murder; but because in that class of society where the crime is practised, there is not virtue sufficient to prosecute offenders, the punishment has never been inflicted; though our land has long been stained with blood. The same neglect has, till lately, prevented any good effect from the laws for the due observance of the Lord's Day. Should society grow equally careless of their pecuniary interests, the case would be the same with respect to forgery, theft and perjury. No law will be executed in a free coun-sing all human calculation, has been try, unless public opinion and public en- their success! Is it then credible, that ergy be in its favor. Nor can the par- at such a time as the present, when tial and timid execution of a penal all nations are shaken, when the prolaw answer the purpose. Who would vidence of God is so manifest and so dream of restraining injustice, by pun-wonderful,when the signs of the times, ishing a few unresisting offenders, though in a political view so dark, are, whilst villains of more resolute cha- in a moral view, so animating-is it racter, who should set the law at de-creble that this work of reformation fiance, were suffered to escape? The will fail? comparison will apply in all its force to the subject now before us. So ab-thou not be a worker together with solute is the necessity of decision and God and his servants in such a cause? energy. But many who wish well to Will any stand neuter, or leave the the cause of reformation, are timid.-labor to others? Let them consider Dread of legal contentions, which is highly commendable in civil affairs, prevents them from entering complaints. To such, however, it may be observed, that the case is different in If, in the mysterious providence of criminal prosecutions. Persons who, God, the tide of iniquity is destined from a single regard to public peace still to prevail and incrcase; and this and order, complain of offenders, in-nation must, for its iniquities, be desocur no risk and no expense. Even lated by the judgments of heaven.... should the prosecution fail, costs are the friends of order and religion may

Reader, what wilt thou do? Wilt

the words of Christ, "he that is not with me, is against me; and he that gathereth not with me, scattereth abroad."

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