Sabbath-Breaking on the Canal: A Poem

"Sabbath-Breaking on the Canal: A Poem" by John Clutton is a deeply religious poem from the 1800s that looks at the difficult choices between work, faith, and keeping the Sabbath day holy for people working on canals. The poem shines a light on the tough situation of those pushed to work on Sundays because of trade and needing to make a living, which the author paints out to be a moral problem. Through using strong images and backing up his points with religious texts, Clutton stresses the value of putting aside worldly things, following the Lord’s word, and suggests that people seek forgiveness and lasting peace by honoring God's day of rest. It shows a strong picture of the clash between making money and staying true to one's spirit in a world that's quickly becoming more industrial, while it calls on people to hold dear their religious beliefs, seeking comfort and answers amidst life’s hardships.