Let us hear, however, the conclusion of the whole matter. “Remember the Sabbath-day, to keep it holy.” “Contend earnestly for the faith.” “My grace is sufficient for thee; for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” “When I am weak then I am strong.” “I can do all things through Christ, which strengtheneth me.” “Therefore will not we fear.” “The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.”
P.S.—The London Railway Record of 7th July, contains the following important acknowledgment by an enemy, of the value of the Railway agitation:—“Let us admit, however, that the present Sabbatarian movement is remarkably practical in its character, and in its working, if not in its objects. Sir A. Agnew agitated the question originally by public declamation, with zeal and enthusiasm but without method. It was not till the Sabbatarians hit upon the plan of buying up railway stock, and proposing and seconding, and sometimes carrying, practical resolutions at railway meetings that any success was achieved. The originator of this plan, we find from an essay reprinted from the Free Church Magazine, was Sir Andrew Agnew’s fidus Achates, Mr J. Bridges of Edinburgh, who, in the essay referred to, recounts the exploits of his party with emphasis, and who certainly deserves credit for a suggestion which has done so much to serve his cause. How far we differ—in degree—from those who hold the uncompromising tenets of the ultra-Sabbatarian School we have already stated. Nevertheless we sympathise with the railway station clerk, who in the Times of yesterday so bitterly denounces the slavery which denies him, and 4000 others, one day of rest from the 1st of January to the 31st of December.”
THE END.
EDINBURGH: JOHNSTONE, BALLANTYNE, AND CO.
FOOTNOTES.
[10] The Lord’s-day Society’s recent efforts in the Sabbath Post-Office question have been very excellent.
[11] Now that death has withdrawn my honoured Friend from the field of mortal strife, it may not be uninteresting to quote a letter from him, written on his death-bed, which may truly be regarded as containing his dying testimony to the truth of these principles, having informed him that the Rev. Dr Begg a powerful friend of the Sabbath, but doubter hitherto as to the soundness of the principle of stockholding, had seen cause to adopt it, Sir Andrew wrote—
“5 Rutland Square,
22d March 1849.“My Dear Mr Bridges.—Many thanks for your kind letter of sympathy and frequent enquiries. I have had the scarlet fever in all its severities, primary and secondary, and I do not quickly revive, but feel exhausted by the slightest exertion. I rejoice to hear of Dr Begg’s adherence to the national railway war. I am confident 7000 more will be raised up to see that the directors are the grand offenders (shareholders their cat’s-paws), and that it is a great privilege to meet the offenders face to face every six months, according to law. With much gratitude, yours very truly,
“And. Agnew.”
He died on the 12th of April.
[20] It may not be unacceptable to state, that for long Messrs Charles Philip, Smyttan, and Macgill Crichton, with the author, formed the whole of Sir Andrew Agnew’s Sabbath railway band.