Chairs of Wellness

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 17, 1912

“Chairs of Wellness”

It is said that Henry Ward Beecher prayed not only for those who were absent from the church service on beds of sickness, but particularly for those who were absent “on chairs of wellness.” Indeed, it is this latter class who are in the greater need of prayer. There are many persons, and we would by no means exclude some Seventh-day Adventists, who are afflicted with periodical Sabbath sickness. They are abundantly able to carry on their labors of the week up to the very beginning of the Sabbath on Friday evening. They appear well able to begin their duties early Sunday morning, and oftentimes at the sunset hour Saturday evening, but for some unaccountable reason they are quite incapacitated during the hours of the holy day. They are unable to attend church, or if they do manage to reach the service, they make the occasion one for physical sleep and rest. This class particularly need the prayers of God’s people even above those who are kept away from the Lord’s house by actual physical disability.

While the Sabbath of the Lord was given man as a day for physical rest, it was likewise given as a day for spiritual refreshing; and if he enjoys the one without improving the other, he misses the great purpose of God in the establishment of this institution. To the shut-ins and to those who in consequence of physical disability are kept from meeting with their brethren and sisters, our hearts go out in the fullest sympathy. We should seek to bring into their lives as far as possible sunshine and joy and blessing. But as well let us remember the more needy class who absent themselves through indifference and spiritual indolence, who remain at home on “chairs of wellness.”