At the same time, not a few are found in the midst of us who love the Lord's day, and the number daily increases. The example which they set, and the testimony which they give, and the prayers which they offer, in its behalf, are exercising a great and healthful influence in the way of restraining multitudes more, and keeping evil within bounds. Other causes operate at present to restrain the evil, such as the startling providences that are occurring in other lands, the threatening condition of the irreligious masses, and the contrast presented to all observers, by the quietness and order of Christian men. (Hear.) These things, along with other causes stated by the Convener, are making the Sabbath to be appreciated more and more by multitudes of all classes and conditions, high and low, rulers and ruled, masters and workmen. These things also afford both a solemn call and great encouragement to us to go forward in the maintenance and advancement of this great and holy cause. It is the special duty of the Free Church to do this work; for we have full scriptural standards on this subject, and we are in circumstances to enforce them. (Applause.) Others have the same standards, but they are so deadened by State subjection in spiritual things, and by worldly considerations and influences, that, to a great extent, their standards are in their hands practically a dead letter. (Hear and applause). Others who had the same standards in former days, have lately abandoned them, and are, with reference to the Sabbath and other great objects, paying a sad penalty for the recent adoption of other views, for the abandonment of vital portions of their ancient testimony. Perplexed, hampered, weakened, ensnared by the false position which they have assumed, they cannot find the use of their hands, now that the enemy is coming in like a flood. (Much applause). In these circumstances, the Free Church has a special call and necessity laid upon her to take and manifest an ever-deepening interest in the Sabbath cause, and especially to put forward with solemn emphasis the doctrine of her standards on this great subject. And here two duties have to be performed,— a duty to the people, and a duty to the rulers of the land. Our people generally ought to be so instructed and trained that they may, by the Divine blessing, be led to yield a growing subjection to the Fourth Commandment. While the sin of wilful shortcomings is lying on so many in our communion, it is vain to expect that our example and our testimony will be blessed to have the effect which they might otherwise exert. (Hear, hear.) Moreover, considering the halfestablished condition of so many, and the strength of the temptations bearing on them, they must inevitably fall before these temptations, if they are not now carefully and effectually instructed in their duty, and confirmed in their attachment to it. (Hear.) In fact, it is melancholy to know, what must be confessed, that the temptations held out are actually overcoming more or fewer of them already. Their good character renders them such servants as Sabbath desecrating railway companies need; and it is distressing to see how those who appreciate the value of their character are so blind and hostile, at the same time, to that Sabbath sanctification which is the only source and security of the worth by which they are marked. (Hear, and applause.) It is alarming to see how our members are falling before the temptation. But lately, a youth who, some two or three yeare ago, gave evidence of seriousness, and who had taken and filled for a time a situation in one of these Sabbath-breaking railway companies, was suddenly laid on his death-bed, and called away; and though there was hope in his death, in the prospect of his departure, his spirit was sorely bruised and crushed by the fact that, before he was seized with his last illness, he had been prevented, for six successive Sabbaths, from entering the house of God. Distressing cases of a similar nature are occurring on all these Sabbath-breaking lines throughout the country. And though wisdom and caution are needful, in dealing with them, and the subject will almost to a certainty be forced on the attention of next Assembly, at present, perhaps, it may be found sufficient to issue some such warning as that contained in the conclusion of the overture from the Synod of Glasgow and Ayr. One great object which we ought to have ever in our view, as regards our people, is to impregnate them with sound views and sanctified feelings on the subject of Sabbath observance, and so to induce them to come out and be separate, and to become at least one combined and

cordial body of witnesses for the claims of the day of God. (Hear, hear.) If Christian men would but thus unite generally, the adversaries of the Sabbath would be forced to yield. It may be one proof and punishment of their divisions that the enemy will enter and triumph. (Hear.) Besides a duty to our people, we have a duty to perform to our rulers. We do not, as some assert, wish or expect them to attempt making men religious in this or in any other respect by act of Parliament. (Applause.) We merely ask them to suppress the outward and grosser desecrations of this holy day-(applause) and leave our people at liberty to worship God, that so the land may be characterized by that righteousness which alone exalteth a nation. We wish them to follow the example of Nehemiah, and to feel that they are neither true patriots, nor entitled to expect the Divine blessing on their government, unless, like him, they keep the gates of the kingdom shut throughout the whole of the holy Sabbath. (Much applause). How are we to seek to perform our duty to our people and to the country? Let the truth be proclaimed, and pressed on our people from the pulpit. Let the platform be used for reaching many besides those of our own communion. The press also may be employed to do good service. Our friends also must continue to pour in memorials to railway companies, who testify to their effect by the very uneasiness which they show at receiving them. In the language of an honourable advocate and main pillar of this cause, to whom the Convener has already alluded so appropriately, we must torture them with protests and appeals. (Laughter and applause.) The language reminds me of what is said in the revelation of the witnesses, that when they were for a time prostrated, the enemies assembled to rejoice over their fall, because they had by their testimony" tormented them that dwelt on the earth." (Hear, hear.) I would have them thus dealt with till they are tormented out of their sin, or the Lord otherwise disposes of them, and the earth is left to enjoy its Sabbaths in peace. (Applause.) We must also continue to memorialise the Government. The Report proposes to seek the interposition of law to shut up the public-houses, and prevent the sale of spirits on Sabbath. This is a fruitful source of Sabbath desecration, as well as of general and growing demoralization to this country. In no movement which the Church may recommend, will there be a more cordial support given to it by all classes and parties in the land than in a movement against that evil. But we must also remember ever, that we shall never see an end put to the desecration of the Sabbath, even in other forms, until the chief forms of it are removed, viz., the opening of Post-Offices, and the running of mails on that day. Our statesmen and our merchants need to be saved from the evil effects of their own principles and practice. (Hear, hear.) Considering the cares and toils that bear down our statesmen, and the constant whirl of earthliness in which our commercial classes are kept, they, if possible, more than all men, need one day in seven to turn their thoughts from the things of time to those of a near eternity. (Applause.) And I trust that the time is not far distant when they will feel convinced of the good that we have done to them, on having our efforts, through the Divine blessing, crowned with success. It is not too much to say that, on the cause of the Sabbath every thing dear to us is at stake. (Much applause.) Each one says, indeed, that the cause for which he contends is the most important. There is a sense in which this is quite true and is no exaggeration; for, as had been said, every truth contains every other, and so that to sacrifice one is to expose all to destruction. And in like manner, if we offend in one we are guilty of all. While this holds true of every Divine law, it is especially true of the Sabbath law. It is placed amidst the ten commandments as the link that binds them altogether; and it is the guardian of them all. What but the Sabbath keeps up the knowledge, worship, and fear of God in a land? What but it preserves in remembrance the finished work and glorious resurrection of Christ? What else can secure the cultivation and practice of all the personal and social virtues? What else will be so efficacious as an instrument in leading a people to prepare for death, and for the services and joys of heaven? (Much applause) No one can exaggerate the calamities that will follow the destruction of our Scottish Sabbaths. If the Sabbath depart from amongst us, the religion, morality, and intelligence of our

people will depart along with it. The land of bibles and of Christian men will become a land of impiety and vice. The favour of God, which has hitherto rested so remarkably on our beloved country will forsake it, and it will go down under His just displeasure. It is a fact fraught with solemn warning to us, that, on the verge of the captivity at Babylon, after a long silence had been kept by God with reference to one leading cause of the ancient people's dreadful overthrow from amidst the darkness gathering over them, the voice of the Eternal spake and said,-" They have polluted my Sabbaths ;" and then a little added,— "I have given them to be removed and spoiled." (Much applause.) Mr Nixon concluded by proposing a motion, which was subsequently altered, in order to meet the suggestions thrown out in the course of the discussion, as follows :" The Assembly having heard the Report of the Committee on Sabbath Observance, approve thereof, and re-appoint the Committee, Mr Davidson, Convener. And having also considered the overtures now on their table, the General Assembly are gratified to observe, that the due observance of the Sabbath is sharing so large a portion of public attention, and that among all classes of society, its innumerable advantages are beginning to be more and more appreciated. The General Assembly feels the peculiar duty of the Church, at such a time as this, to renew the declarations of the scriptural standards of the Church of Scotland, and, as of old, to put forth her unequivocal testimony as to the principles on which the Sabbath is to be observed, and anxiously to instruct her people in these, as also to exhort them to higher attainments in the practice of Sabbath observance; and they especially feel the importance of the civil magistrate being constantly reminded of his duty to suppress all such open profanations as are a public scandal to morality, and subversive of the laws of this realm. For this purpose the Assembly instruct the ministers of the Church to take frequent opportunities, from the pulpit and elsewhere, of turning the attention of their flocks to this subject. They farther order the Report now given in to be printed and circulated, and they direct the Committee to take active measures for suppressing the public desecration of the General Post-Office, and of railway companies, and all others of a similar kind. The Assembly farther resolve to memorialise her Majesty's Postmaster-General, and to petition both Houses of Parliament against the desecration of the Lord's day, by the system now in practice in the Post-Office, and in the sale of spirits on that day. Farther, to enable the Committee to carry out these instructions, the Assembly recommend to the Church to contribute to the funds of this Committee, in such time and manner as may be most convenient, to such an exteut as will suffice for the carrying forward their operations. Farther, the Assembly, feeling it to be the duty of this Church to cherish a holy and enlightened zeal for the honour of the Lord of the Sabbath, and an affectionate regard to the best interests of the flock over which the Holy Ghost hath made her overseer, as well as to those of this nation, in which God has largely blessed her,-resolves, through grace, to spare no efforts for promoting a devout and increased respect for this loved and blessed institution, reminding the people of her communion that they who are guilty of its violation are liable to the discipline of the Church in the same manner, and to the same extent, as those who are guilty of transgressing any other com mandment of the moral law. The Assembly remit to the Sabbath Observance Committee to prepare the drafts of a memorial to the Postmaster-General, and to petition Parliament on the subject of the Sabbath, to report to a future diet of this Assembly."

Mr CAMPBELL of Monzie said, He agreed entirely with what had been stated by Mr Nixon, as to the duty of the Church in reference to the people, and thought it would be well if the sentiments in the overture from the Synod of Glasgow and Ayr upon that point were embodied in the motion, and that these views were carried out by the Church. It appeared to him, if they did but approach the working people in the simplicity of faith, pointing out to them their duty in the matter of Sabbath observance, and showing them the danger and sinfulness of disobeying the command of God, that they would carry the people with them. And, if that course applied to the poor man, be believed it would also apply to

the rich.

He trusted that the Assembly would pronounce some sense of

the feeling entertained upon this momentous question; and also, that each individual member, in his respective locality, would feel it to be his solemn duty, under God, to be incessant, in season and out of season, in warning his fellow-men, individually, in the family circle, and in the congregation, and in holding up the plain and simple command, "Keep the Sabbath holy." Then, in reference to those who tempted the Sabbath-loving people to break God's law, he would just go to them with the Word of God in his hand, and he would tell them plainly that they had no right, for their own ends,-that they had no right whatever, for their own selfish purposes, to tempt the people to break God's law, -and that if they continued to do so, the blood of their souls would be upon them. He would say to them, in the words of the Almighty, addressed to Pharaoh, by Moses of old, "Let my people go, that they may serve me.” And when statistical arguments were addressed to him, he would just reiterate the words of Moses; for they, too, should persevere, even under apparent failure; for Moses was not deterred by one refusal from making another appeal, but again and again appealed to Pharaoh, "Let my people go, that they may serve me. He (Mr Campbell) had much to say upon the subject; but as the time of the Assembly was limited, he would not trespass, but rather give way, simply by seconding the motion, in order that other members of the Assembly from different parts of the country might have an opportunity of shortly addressing the Assembly upon this important question.

It

Mr LYON, of Glenogil, said,-I think I have some claim on the indulgence of this house. I have been for many years a member of it, and have never addressed it above once or twice. On this great question I have had peculiar means of knowing the heart of the people of Scotland, and I know that it is sound. requires only that the waters be troubled, that they may send forth a healing influence. I fully concur with Mr Nixon that no question of equal importance can come before this house. If the Sabbath cease to exist, every religious institution must perish along with it. Churches are useless, for the Sabbath bell has ceased to toll; the ministry ceases, for there are none to wait on it. The schemes of the Church perish, of course. All must sit in darkness, when the Sabbath, the sun from which they derived their light and heat, has been annihilated. There can be no religion where there is no Sabbath. This is not a matter of inference or opinion; it has passed into fact and into history. For when the French, at their first revolution, abolished the Sabbath by a national decree, these words were written on the entrance of Pere la Chaise, the great cemetery of Paris, "Death is an eternal sleep ;" and the open proclamation of infidelity followed, in the strict relation of cause and effect. And is there no ground to fear the loss of the Sabbath in our own day? Before this can happen it, it must first be desecrated. Nemo repente fuit turpissimus. Look, then, at the amount of the present desecration of the Sabbath, of which that by railway stands as first and foremost. It is now nearly 150 years since England and Scotland were united by the Treaty of Union, but they are united now as they never were before, by railways; and it becomes us to enquire what is the extent of desecration in England; for since we cannot erect a wall of brass fifty cubits high and fifty cubits broad, we must adopt other means to prevent it. I hold in my hands a well-known publication, Bradshaw's Railway Guide; and you will find that there is not in all England a single railway that does not run railway trains on the Sabbath. I do not now dwell on the facts, that there are 810 Sabbath trains requiring at present the services of 47,000 railway servants; and when the lines now in progress are completed, these will be raised to 127,000; nor that on such lines as that between London and Richmond there are thirty trains running constantly on the Sabbath; but I would refer particularly to that between Newcastle and Tynemouth, on account of this instructive fact, that when the line was opened, it was limited on the Sabbath to a morning and evening train, to provide for cases of necessity and mercy. (Hear, hear.) And what has been the result? There are now twenty-eight trains running on that day. Ask Mr Duncan, the minister of Peebles, a member of this house, and he will tell you, for he has witnessed it, that the scenes of drunkenness, vice, and debauchery on that railway on the Sabbath-day can scarcely be described. There is no

ground whatever for the plea of necessity and mercy. I do not say that no such cases have occurred; but, after diligent inquiry, we have not been able to ascertain a single well authenticated case which has occurred on any of these railways in Scotland where no Sabbath trains are run; and I know all the alleged cases, and I deny them all. A gentleman stated publicly, at a Sabbath meeting at Greenock a few months ago, in presence of 1100 of its inhabitants, that 20,000 individuals were conveyed along the Glasgow and Greenock Railway during the six days of the week in the summer months, and 10,000 more by steam-boats on the Clyde. There are no Sabbath trains on that railway,- -no steam-boats ply on that day; and yet not only had no case of necessity or mercy occurred, but not even a case of inconvenience had been alleged. I was wrong when I said that railway desecration was the greatest. This must yield to that of the public-houses for the sale of spirits on Sabbath. (Hear, hear.) I wish here to advert to the influence of legislative enactments. Of course, ebriety or inebriety cannot, in point of principle, be produced by an act of Parliament; but it is not the less certain that, in point of fact, men have been made drunkards, and, on the other hand, they have been made sober, by act of Parliament. In 1839, all the public-houses in London were, by a legislative enactment, directed to be shut on Saturdays at twelve o'clock at night, till Sunday at one o'clock in the afternoon; and observe the effect even of this limited prohibition. In 1838, the number taken into custody for drunkenness was 21,237, of which number no less than 5765, or more than 27 per cent., were committed on Sunday. After the passing of the act, the number gradually diminished, till in 1844 the number was reduced to 8321, though of this a large proportion were committed on the Sunday, viz., nearly 35 per cent., or 2893; thus exhibiting a diminution of cases effected by an act of Parliament of no less than 12,916. Similar acts have been obtained for Liverpool, Manchester, and Newcastle; and the stipendiary magistrate of the former of those towns states," I can safely assure you that no benefit has been conferred on the town of Liverpool, so fraught with advantages of all kinds, at all equal to that which has resulted from the closing of publichouses on Saturday at twelve o'clock, till Sunday at one o'clock. We have now order and sobriety in districts which were formerly, during the night and Sunday morning, scenes of the wildest uproar and drunkenness." Similar testimonies have been made by the chief constable of Manchester, and the Mayor of Newcastle. These, however, are but local acts, and the country generally is still the scene of this wide-spreading desecration. On that day, the Sabbath, -the Houses of Parliament do not sit, the Courts of Justice are closed; even the beverages which "cheer and do not inebriate" cannot be sold; not even bread itself, though the very staff of life; but ten thousands of shops are open for the sale of poison-spreading misery, and ruin and destruction among a large portion of the working-classes of our population. If men of profoundest intellect and far-seeing sagacity were to assemble to devise the most effectual scheme for demoralizing a whole country, for filling our jails with criminals, our workhouses with paupers, and our asylums with lunatics, they could not have desired one better fitted for such a purpose than the opening of shops for the sale of spirits on the Sabbath-day. (Hear, hear.) Are we indeed living under the enactments of a Christian legislature, and not under the influence of the councils of Pandemonium itself? But in order to influence the legislature, the public mind must be enlightened, and the power of public opinion brought to bear on the subject. In America, this power alone has put a stop to almost all railway travelling in the northern States. Above all, we must endeavour to awaken the labouring classes both to their duty and their interest. I believe the very last meeting which the late lamented Sheriff Speirs ever attended was one where this very object was considered. On that occasion, remarking on the importance of gaining the working-classes, he said, that they had the observance of the Sabbath wholly in their own hands; there could be no desecration of it except with their consent and by their means; and, in connection with this, I would allude to the conduct of the working-men of America, and recommend it to the imitation of those of this country, where many of them have joined together, and have taken a pledge not to labour on the Sabbath-day. But, Sir, I