Is Sabbath Labor Lawful?
By Editor
A BELOVED brother in another State presents for our consideration the following cases, and requests us to give our judgment concerning them. Though exactly parallel cases may not be found anywhere, the same principles may be involved in many cases, therefore we give the letter and our answer:— “Some months ago one of our brethren took a position as night-watchman at the new Insane Asylum which is being built in ____. His duties are to guard the building and tools of the workmen during their absence in the night. This he has to attend to every night in the week, Sabbath included. It places him under the necessity of using the hours of the day for sleep, and hence prevents his attendance upon Sabbath meetings. He thinks he is doing no wrong; and some of our brethren take the same position. “They argue that the asylum is a merciful institution or a work of necessity and must be attended to on all days alike, and hence the action of the brother is not a violation of the fourth commandment. Since the brother took this position another brother has undertaken to learn dentistry, agreeing with the dentist under whom he studies to be present in the office all day on the Sabbath, and to assist him in extracting teeth. This brother claims that extracting teeth is a work of mercy, and therefore it is not wrong for him to attend there on the Sabbath. He also says that he will leave the church rather than to allow his case to be investigated, and his father and sister both declare their intention to go with him. “The first-named brother is employed by the State and receives a good salary; the latter pays for the privilege of learning the trade. “If you feel at liberty to give your judgment in reference to those cases, I shall feel very grateful for it. I want to place it in the hands of the committee. Is the action of either or both of the brethren clearly a violation of the Sabbath? If not, why not?” ANSWER. We do not hesitate to say that in both cases there is a clear violation of the Sabbath. 1. No individual has a right to work on the Sabbath for pay, and then plead that his work is one of necessity, or mercy, or of charity. It is an abuse of the principle of mercy to so plead. Would the brother act as night watchman continuously, seven days in the week, if he did not receive any salary? If not, then he is not working for the sake of mercy, but for the pay he receives. It is a question of money, not of mercy. 2. Every legitimate work is a work of necessity in the sense urged by these brethren. Railroading and manufacturing are works of necessity; but each in its proper time and place. If we allow that we may do these things on the Sabbath because they must of necessity be done, at some time, then there is an end of all Sabbath keeping. Seeding and harvesting are certainly works which must of necessity be done; none are more necessary; but the Lord explicitly prohibited any one doing them on the Sabbath. Ex. 34:21. In the above cases the phrase, “work of necessity,” is perverted or misapplied. It does not refer to ordinary labor, however necessary in itself; but to that which cannot in any case be omitted, as caring for the sick, feeding and watering stock, etc. It is necessary that we all make provision for the wants of our families, but it must be done in a lawful manner. We may not steal food and clothing because it is right and necessary for us to procure them. We may not violate a law in following a business which is lawful in itself. God says we shall work six days, and says we shall not work on the Sabbath. This must end the controversy with all who respect the authority of the Creator. If it is profitable to work on the Sabbath, then plenty of people can be found to do that work who have no regard for the Sabbath. Therefore it is not at all necessary for Sabbath-keepers to do them. But if we choose to do them because we can do better at them than at other businesses, then it is purely a question of gain, and clearly a violation of the Sabbath. 3. A threat to leave the church if one cannot have his own way, without regard to principle or Bible precept, must not be listened to. It betokens a spirit utterly at variance with the spirit of Christianity. You are a church of Sabbath-keepers, known as such before the world. If you have members who would rather leave you than to obey the law of God and keep the Sabbath, then it will be better for the church and for the honor of the truth if they go. But it will be better for them to remain in the church and obey God. Do all that you can to rescue them from the snare into which they are running.