[Religion] “I Think I Will Not Change,” by C. (from The Youth’s Companion, April 13, 1848; p. 199)
“How I do wish there was no Sabbath,” said Albert to his father, “I get so tired of reading and going to meeting all day.”
“Indeed,” said Mr. T., “what would you like, if you could have your wish?”
“Why, I would go to fishing and to play, like Mr. Foster’s boys, and like James and Ebenezer Davis, and would have a lot of fun.”
“But if there were no Sabbath,” said Mr. T., “your shool would keep every day, and where then would be your time for sporting and fishing?”
“I had not thought of that; I should not object to the Sabbath, if I did not have to keep it so strict,” replied Albert; “I get most tired out before night.”
“Perhaps you would like, Albert, to change places with Mr. Foster’s or Mr. Davis’s boys, to let one of them come and live with me, and be my boy, and go to meeting with me, and you go and live in his stead, and have the Sabbath for a holiday, to do as you choose. What say you to that,” said Mr. T.
“Oh!” said Albert, “I should not like that. They are dirty and ragged and vulgar, and I do not think their home so good as mine. I have no wish to change places with them.”
[“]So I thought. They are all that you have described them, and I think that you would not wish to be one of them. They are without moral principle, never attending meeting or properly observing the Sabbath which God has set apart for himself; they are ignorant, and have no interest to read and cultivate their minds; and they are without self respect, and are not ashamed to be seen sauntering about, hunting, or fishing, or otherways sporting, while decent people, manifest at least an outward respect for holy time. And then look at their older brothers and their fathers; how worthless, indolent, profane, intemperate, given to gambling, and destitute of respect. How widely do they differ from those men and those families who seek the cultivation of their hearts and lives, by a proper observance of the Sabbath and its ordinances. I have uniformly noticed that pauperism, immorality and crime are most abundant in those neighborhoods and communities where the Sabbath is least regarded. And now, my son, what do you think of changing your reading and meetings for sporting?”
“I think I will not change, father. I had not thought of these things before.”