Sabbath Defence Tactics: a manual

Transcribed from the 1849 Johnstone and Hunter edition by David Price, ccx074@pglaf.org, using scans from the Bodleian Library, Oxford.
A MANUAL;
BY JAMES BRIDGES, ESQ.
“Be ye wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.”
EDINBURGH: JOHNSTONE AND HUNTER, 15 PRINCES STREET; AND 26 PATERNOSTER ROW, LONDON.
M.DCCC.XLIX.
RESPECTFULLY INSCRIBED
TO THE OFFICE-BEARERS AND MEMBERS
OF THE
LORD’S-DAY SOCIETY OF ENGLAND.
The observance of the Lord’s day partook largely of the general religious declension which characterised the conclusion of the eighteenth century. Fresh invasions were constantly made on its sanctity; and practices which a century before would have startled the most careless, were unconsciously acquiesced in even by the religious. England, as a nation, never made the large professions of strictness which marked the north, and its remembrance of the day, such as it was, became feebler as time progressed; while in Scotland, which always had a name as a Sabbath-keeping land, the evil influence grew visibly in its populous towns, and was seen gradually diffusing itself throughout the country. The Post-Office, with its mail-coaches, runners, letters, and newspapers, and the hackney-coach, are among the standing memorials of this falling away. Happily, however, for the cause of every thing sacred and expedient, a revival of religion took place in both ends of the island, which, manifesting itself first in the Churches, did not fail speedily to embrace within its action the great matter of the observance of the Lord’s day.
To the honour of England, the practical Sabbath movement among the people began in that great country. A few pious men, taught by its religious societies, of which they were distinguished members, the superiority of united over insulated action, formed themselves into “The Lord’s-day Society,” which has ever since exercised a very wholesome influence. An early step on its part was to establish a connection with Parliament, through the medium of an influential member who might choose to be officially connected with the Society. After unsuccessful efforts in different quarters, they were directed to the late Sir Andrew Agnew of Lochnaw, Bart., then member for Wigtonshire, who, after many doubts and fears, prompted by the modesty of his nature and his deep sense of the responsibility attaching to every more prominent part in the cause of God, consented to their application; and he soon became established, as he continued to his dying hour to be, the rooted and grounded friend of the Sabbath, and of every institution and effort, whether made by many or few, for its observance.