p. 9 | Sabbath Evening

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 31, 1908

Sabbath Evening

A WORKER

What a calm, restful feeling is conveyed to one in the two words, “Sabbath evening.” Never shall I forget one Sabbath evening spent in the home of one of the elders of our church. I was taking a journey from one town to another, and paid him an unexpected visit. This did not seem to give the family any inconvenience. Everything was in readiness for the coming Sabbath.

As the sun was going down, the family settled around the table for worship. The children did not need to be called, as they had been taught that the beginning of the Sabbath is just as holy as any other part of it. Several hymns were sung, different ones calling for their favorites, and a holy calmness pervaded the place. The father then read an encouraging chapter from the Bible, after which all took part in prayer. I shall never forget the simple but beautiful prayer offered by the youngest child. Though she was only seven years old, her prayer gave me fresh courage, and inspired me to be more diligent in my work, as she prayed for me. And again, as the sun was going down, we gathered around the family altar, and felt encouraged and strengthened to begin another week, with its trials, conflicts, and victories.

How different was this from an experience I had several months later. This time I was away in the country, and felt a longing for Christian fellowship; so, knowing of a Sabbath-keeping family in the district, I hastened my footsteps in that way. The days were short, and it was almost dark before I reached my friend’s house. Here everybody seemed unready. The father had just returned from work, and was having a bath. Some of the children were rushing about looking for articles of clothing; others were drying or combing their hair. Then the evening meal was to be prepared and eaten, and when that was over, it was time for the youngest children to go to bed; and so holy time was entered, and no difference made between it and ordinary time. The same state of confusion existed at the close of the Sabbath; some were in one place and some in another; and the father hurried away to look after his business. Profane time was entered upon, and holy time left, without thanks to God for his blessing through the day.

The band of united prayer that gives strength and oneness to a family was wanting. With a little effort on the part of the father and mother, that need not have been, and need not be with other parents. Habits formed in early childhood are binding. Young minds respond readily to the sweet influence of prayer and music; the love of Jesus draws them to himself; and, if converted when young, armed with the sword of the Spirit, they grow up strong in his service.

The following is from “Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. VI, pages 355, 356:—

“On Friday let the preparation for the Sabbath be completed. See that all the clothing is in readiness, and that all the cooking is done. Let the boots be blacked, and the baths be taken. It is possible to do this. If you make it a rule, you can do it. The Sabbath is not to be given to the repairing of garments, to the cooking of food, to pleasure-seeking, or to any other worldly employment. Before the setting of the sun, let all secular work be laid aside, and all secular papers be put out of sight. Parents, explain your work and its purpose to your children, and let them share in your preparation to keep the Sabbath according to the commandment.

“We should jealously guard the edges of the Sabbath. Remember that every moment is consecrated, holy time. Whenever it is possible, employers should give their workers the hours from Friday noon until the beginning of the Sabbath. Give them time for preparation, that they may welcome the Lord’s day with quietness of mind. By such a course you will suffer no loss, even in temporal things.”