Now the observance of the Sabbath may be regarded both as a National and as an Individual duty.
And first, to regard it as a National duty. The Bible lays it down as a general principle, that every nation and kingdom owes its existence and continuance as a nation, to the special power and protection of the Most High. “For the kingdom is the Lord’s; and He is the Governor among the nations.” [11a] “By Me kings reign, and princes decree justice. By Me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth.” [11b] In nothing, indeed, is the hand of God more strikingly to be seen than in the history of nations; and it will be found to be a truth to which the annals of the past bear ample record, that national prosperity has invariably followed that people who have honoured Him.
We might take the case of God’s ancient people, and find abundant proof of this in the prosperity which everywhere attended them. We might recall the scenes of “the land of bondage,” the signs and wonders which were shown in Egypt, the overthrow of Pharaoh and his mighty host beneath the waves of the Red Sea. We might recount the victories of Israel over the powerful and warlike nations of Canaan, nations “greater and mightier than” themselves, whom God drove out from before their face. We might speak of the fast-increasing glories of that people in the earlier years of their political existence, and of the fearful and rapid decline which followed their idolatrous practices and forsaking of God.
But do we not find, even in the midst of ourselves, an evidence more powerful and convincing still? To what is it that England owes her supremacy? Why is it that success has attended her arms almost without a single exception? that the Queen of these small and insignificant islands is the Sovereign Lady of nearly a sixth part of the human race? that the sway of Great Britain is undisputed upon the sea, and her arms respected by every foreign nation? How is it that while revolution after revolution has disturbed the tranquillity of neighbouring nations, while kings have been hurried into exile or to death, and scenes of carnage and bloodshed been of terrible frequency, we have been suffered to remain in peace and quietness, our friendly relations with Foreign Powers been maintained unimpaired, and our commercial prosperity never, perhaps, known to be greater? I think the true answer will be found in the fact, that as a nation we have “acknowledged God in all our ways,” and that so “He has directed our paths.” Nothing is more striking to any person who has visited the neighbouring countries of Europe than the difference with which the Lord’s day is observed in them, and amongst ourselves. And after all, it is mainly in this respect that a national acknowledgment of God can be made. Take, for example, the metropolis of the neighbouring empire of France, the city of Paris. It is a well ascertained fact that, in that city, there is a far greater amount of dissipation and wickedness on the Sunday, than on any other day in the week. It would seem that God’s day is especially selected to be dishonoured. Every place of public amusement is open,—galleries of painting—public gardens—theatres. Reviews of troops, displays, and pageants of every kind commonly take place upon this day. It is quite true that the people attend the services of the Romish Church, and that religion is treated with some degree of decorum and respect. But what is the result of such a system? Simply, that the service of God comes to be looked upon as something which may be satisfactorily performed by a mere attendance at Mass, and by obedience to such outward duties as the Church may enjoin, and that then every kind of sinful pleasure and amusement may be indulged in with impunity. Can we wonder at the consequences which follow from such a state of things? Can we be surprised at a corruption of manners which prevails to an alarming extent amongst all classes of society? Can we marvel that, time after time, the foundations of that kingdom are shaken—that, in its many changes and revolutions, the handwriting of God is seen, which says with fearful significance, “Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting?” [13]
Now England has hitherto been remarkable for her outward observance of the Lord’s day. The entire cessation from business—the quiet streets—the orderly inhabitants—the well-filled churches, in our large towns—the village bells breaking the stillness of the Sabbath morning, and in every place calling the rich and poor alike to the House of their common Lord—have marked us out, pre-eminently, as a nation fearing God. And it must be a source of deep regret and alarm to every Christian man, and, indeed, to every man who values aright the national peace and prosperity which the blessing of God has secured to this kingdom, that an attempt is being made, and that too of a most determined character, to infringe the sanctity of the Sabbath, and to obtain the repeal of the law which enforces its strict observance.
Far be it from me to wish that the Sabbath should be made a day of painful and irksome restraint; that the hardworked artisan should be denied the enjoyment of such innocent recreation as the day will allow; that the times should be revived in this country, when every man should be compelled to attend his Parish Church on pain of fine or imprisonment; but I would use every means in my power to maintain those wise and righteous regulations which a Christian government has made respecting its observance. I believe it to be the duty of the clergy of the Church of England to speak openly and plainly upon the subject, and to use all the influence of their station and office to prevent the commission of this great national sin. And I trust I may be excused in entering into details, which will not, I hope, be deemed inappropriate to the time and occasion on which we are met together. I will state them very briefly.
You are aware that the building of the Great Exhibition, which was held in London, in the summer of 1851, has been removed to a distance from the city, and converted into a kind of winter garden and museum. Many of you have seen the building, which is capable of containing nearly a hundred thousand persons; and it is proposed to admit the public to it on Sundays by the payment of money. This is at present illegal by Act of Parliament, no places of public amusement, the admission to which is by money, being allowed to remain open on that day. A petition will shortly be presented to Parliament, praying for the repeal of that Act. A gentleman of considerable eminence and ability, who is officially connected with this movement, is about to visit the large towns of England, for the purpose of advocating the subject, and obtaining signatures in favour of it—chiefly from the working classes; and he will very probably visit this town.
Now I would say to you all, as you fear the curse of God upon this nation, as you would secure the continuance of His favour and blessing, and of that peace which England has so long enjoyed, abstain from signing that petition; abstain from attending public meetings upon the subject; use all your influence to prevent others from doing so.
I am quite sure that this proceeding will meet with no countenance or sanction from the Civic Authorities of this town. We are blessed with rulers, who, as I believe, have made “the fear of the Lord” the great principle which actuates them in their public conduct, and which will lead them to use the authority and influence which, in His providence, He has committed to them, for the maintenance of His honour and glory.
I need not remind you what will surely follow this step, unless, by God’s gracious interposition, it be averted. The opening of the theatres and of all places of public amusement on the Sunday will take place, and everything which now distinguishes God’s day from the days of our worldly business be at an end. This must be the inevitable consequence of once opening the door to the desecration of the Sabbath. How then shall the Church of Christ be able effectually to stem the torrent of vice which will sweep over this land? How check the march of infidelity, which is sure to advance with giant strides amongst us? We know that even now, in spite of all our efforts, God’s Sabbaths are fearfully profaned. Though our churches are multiplied on every hand, and those schools in which our children are trained for the Church on earth, and, as we trust, for the Church eternally, in Heaven, are increased, yet much remains to be accomplished ere the “way” of the “Lord be known upon earth, His saving health among all nations.” [16] The mountains of unbelief have yet to be laid low, the valleys of ignorance and vice to be exalted, before Messiah, in His onward and triumphant march, can receive the homage of those hearts which He has purchased with His own most precious blood, ere He can enter upon the glories of that universal kingdom in which “all shall know Him from the least to the greatest.” [17a]