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sunday under three heads-第8节

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house but to the fresh and airy fields。  Fancy the pleasant scene。

Throngs of people; pouring out from the lanes and alleys of the

metropolis; to various places of common resort at some short

distance from the town; to join in the refreshing sports and

exercises of the day … the children gambolling in crowds upon the

grass; the mothers looking on; and enjoying themselves the little

game they seem only to direct; other parties strolling along some

pleasant walks; or reposing in the shade of the stately trees;

others again intent upon their different amusements。  Nothing

should be heard on all sides; but the sharp stroke of the bat as it

sent the ball skimming along the ground; the clear ring of the

quoit; as it struck upon the iron peg:  the noisy murmur of many

voices; and the loud shout of mirth and delight; which would awaken

the echoes far and wide; till the fields rung with it。  The day

would pass away; in a series of enjoyments which would awaken no

painful reflections when night arrived; for they would be

calculated to bring with them; only health and contentment。  The

young would lose that dread of religion; which the sour austerity

of its professors too often inculcates in youthful bosoms; and the

old would find less difficulty in persuading them to respect its

observances。  The drunken and dissipated; deprived of any excuse

for their misconduct; would no longer excite pity but disgust。

Above all; the more ignorant and humble class of men; who now

partake of many of the bitters of life; and taste but few of its

sweets; would naturally feel attachment and respect for that code

of morality; which; regarding the many hardships of their station;

strove to alleviate its rigours; and endeavoured to soften its

asperity。



This is what Sunday might be made; and what it might be made

without impiety or profanation。  The wise and beneficent Creator

who places men upon earth; requires that they shall perform the

duties of that station of life to which they are called; and He can

never intend that the more a man strives to discharge those duties;

the more he shall be debarred from happiness and enjoyment。  Let

those who have six days in the week for all the world's pleasures;

appropriate the seventh to fasting and gloom; either for their own

sins or those of other people; if they like to bewail them; but let

those who employ their six days in a worthier manner; devote their

seventh to a different purpose。  Let divines set the example of

true morality:  preach it to their flocks in the morning; and

dismiss them to enjoy true rest in the afternoon; and let them

select for their text; and let Sunday legislators take for their

motto; the words which fell from the lips of that Master; whose

precepts they misconstrue; and whose lessons they pervert … 'The

Sabbath was made for man; and not man to serve the Sabbath。'








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