The Liberator

THE SABBATH QUESTION IN SCOTLAND.

GLASGOW, FEB. 24, 1848.

DEAR FRIEND:

The Call for the Anti-Sabbath Convention has got noticed in the Scottish Guardian, as a sign of the times, to call to their followers to counteract the spirit that is getting abroad. It quotes the paragraph wherein idolatry, priestcraft, sectarianism, &c., are referred to as causing man unduly to labor, and will have it that priestcraft and sectarianism are intended to mean Christianity!!

The Sabbath Alliance here are having meetings in a number of the towns and villages of Scotland, but seem to make no great head-way; and the steam does not rise. The speeches I have seen, are a mere repetition of the same assertions and fallacies, which have been repeatedly answered. The great point labored to be made out, by the more knowing ones, is, that working men will infallibly be deprived of the rest of the first day, and be made to work seven days for the pay of six, should railways be permitted to run, or the strictness of observance be interfered with.

In your Convention, keep in view to answer, and put down, the appeals to the ignorance and fears of the working classes, of lessening their leisure, should our views prevail. Keep in view the hypocrisy of the clergy, in forbearing to notice, in any way, the use of carriages, cabs, &c., by the wealthy on Sunday; and the 40,000 men employed in Britain in breweries, distilleries, and malthouses, on Sunday. Mails and steamboats, in which working-men can in some measure travel as well as the rich, are the only things that attract their pious regards and righteous indignation!

The horrid war spirit seems determined again to have a struggle for ascendency. The estimates put before our House of Commons, on Friday last, 18th inst., show a great addition to our army and navy. In 1835, and for several years, to 1839, these cost from 11½ to 12 millions; for last year and this year, from 18½ to 20 millions!! There will be keen opposition to this proposal, especially to the increase of the income tax from 3 per cent., its present amount, to 5 per cent. Cobden has spoken out nobly against this absurdity and wickedness. It seems to me that this will commence an Anti-War party in Britain, on commercial principles, which may prepare the way for Non-Resistance, on which alone Anti-War can consistently rest.

The newspapers will let you know what the Parisians are about. From the accounts this morning, it is probable a collision and bloodshed have taken place. The worst of matters there is, that the leaders of the opposition, Thiers in particular, have no honesty of purpose or character, and seek only self-aggrandisement.

What of the American branch of the Evangelical Alliance? Not a word of their doings has appeared in 'Evangelical Christendom'! Are they asleep, or dead? Do let us hear if you know anything respecting them (1)—for their dear friends here seem to keep to the tune of

Oh no! we never mention them—

Their name is never heard.'

What a finale to the dramatic scenes, of hugging and kissing in fraternal embrace, in London, amid Methodistical shouts of glory! glory!

Yours, sincerely,

A. P.

(1) We are unable to communicate a syllable of intelligence on this point.—Ed.