Sabbath Observance by F. M. W.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Apr 8, 1915

Sabbath Observance

By F. M. W.

“If thou turn away thy foot from the Sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the Sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honorable; and shalt honor him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words: then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.” Isa. 58:13, 14.

Is the Sabbath of the Lord observed as carefully by Seventh-day Adventists as in the early years of their experience? This is a question which we believe is worthy of careful consideration. We have received a number of letters during the last few months with reference to this subject. Conscientious brethren and sisters write from different sections of the country of the carelessness and indifference which they see gradually creeping into the church with reference to the observance of this holy day. It would certainly be unfortunate if at the present time in the history of our work and in the history of the world, when conditions on every side indicate that we are rapidly nearing the end of all things, any of the truths of this message should grow old and appeal to us with indifference.

The natural tendencies of the human heart, the spirit which accompanies our busy lives, the example of our neighbors in the observance of the first day of the week,—these and many other conditions naturally tend to lead us to be careless regarding the Sabbath of the Lord. We must fortify our souls against these influences.

One sister inquires if it is in harmony with the spirit of Sabbath observance to go to public libraries Sabbath afternoon and spend time in reading and study. Another feels concerned about some of our brethren who regularly take their children for a walk along the city streets on Sabbath afternoon, spending time viewing the shop windows and the various articles placed on display. A brother comes with the inquiry as to whether it is in harmony with the true spirit of Sabbath observance for our people to go to public parks and listen to the playing of bands, or to go to other churches and listen to recitals and sacred concerts.

We feel that indulgence in these and similar practices is foreign to the spirit of true Sabbath observance. The surroundings, the environment, and the associations are such as to take the mind away from God and the contemplation of his works, and to lead it into channels of worldly thought.

We believe it much better for the children of the Lord to sit quietly in their own homes, or in some quiet, secluded place, and spend the hours of the Sabbath reading, than to go to the public library, where there is continual temptation to spend time in poring over the daily newspaper or current journals, or reading books not strictly of a religious character. We believe that a walk in the country or in the suburbs of the town would be in harmony with the spirit of the holy day, and would prove much more conducive to spirituality than strolling about the business section of the city. And we believe it would be much better to remain at home or gather in our own church and sing the songs of Zion than to go out into the park and listen to the playing of a band, or even to other churches to listen to sacred concerts.

A true regard for the Sabbath of the Lord will minimize travel by public conveyance on that day just as far as possible. It is to be regretted that there is not seen that carefulness in the matter of railroad travel on the Sabbath at the present time that there used to be. We realize that some of our ministers are obliged to travel on that day. Meetings which they must attend and appointments for religious services which they are compelled to make necessitate this. We believe that Heaven takes into account works of necessity in this way, but we see some in our church at the present time who do not hesitate to make

journeys for their own personal pleasure or business advantage, occupying the Sabbath for such purposes. And some who perhaps would hesitate to start off on a journey by railroad on Sabbath do not hesitate to serve their own pleasure and convenience by the use of the street car. The principle is the same. We believe that just as far as possible the use of all public conveyances on the Sabbath day should be avoided. Where their use is made necessary for attendance at the regular services of the church, or for the meeting of appointments on the part of our ministers, as far as possible the tickets should be bought and necessary business arrangements made before the Sabbath begins.

Some make the Sabbath an occasion for the entertainment of their friends and for social visiting. This is to be regretted. It is very appropriate that families should meet together for Bible study, for prayer, for religious conversation, or for the singing of religious songs. But such gatherings should be carefully safeguarded, that they do not degenerate into social functions which will serve in no way the glory of God or the spiritual betterment of those taking part in them.

The question of Sabbath observance needs to be agitated anew in all our churches. Our ministers and church officers should sound a warning against laxity in this matter. The standard of Sabbath observance among Seventh-day Adventists should be raised.

Many make the mistake of turning the Sabbath into a feast day. Often on that day, when the physical energies are relaxed, and when there is the least need for a liberal diet, and the digestive powers are less capable of assimilation, we find the tables of many families loaded with pastries and highly seasoned foods which are not a part of the regular diet upon the six working days. We believe that this is a mistake. Food of a simple nature for Sabbath needs would tend greatly toward the spiritual enjoyment of the day.

The following words from the servant of the Lord are worthy of careful reading in this connection:—

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. . . . Let not the precious hours of the Sabbath be wasted in bed. On Sabbath morning the family should be astir early. If they rise late, there is confusion and bustle in preparing for breakfast and Sabbath school. There is hurrying, jostling, and impatience. Thus unholy feelings come into the home. The Sabbath, thus desecrated, becomes a weariness and its coming is dreaded rather than loved.

We should not provide for the Sabbath a more liberal supply or a greater variety of food than for other days. Instead of this the food should be more simple, and less should be eaten, in order that the mind may be clear and vigorous to comprehend spiritual things. Overeating befogs the brain. The most precious words may be heard and not appreciated, because the mind is confused by an improper diet. By overeating on the Sabbath, many have done more than they think to dishonor God.

While cooking upon the Sabbath should be avoided, it is not necessary to eat cold food. In cold weather let the food prepared the day before be heated. And let the meals, though simple, be palatable and attractive. Provide something that will be regarded as a treat, something the family do not have every day. . . .

In pleasant weather let parents walk with their children in the fields and groves. Amid the beautiful things of nature tell them the reason for the institution of the Sabbath. Describe to them God’s great work of creation. . . .

If we desire the blessing promised to the obedient, we must observe the Sabbath more strictly. I fear that we often travel on this day when it might be avoided. In harmony with the light which the Lord has given in regard to the observance of the Sabbath, we should be more careful about traveling on the boats or cars on this day. In these matters we should set a right example before our children and youth. In order to reach the churches that need our help, and give the message that God desires them to hear, it may be necessary for us to travel on the Sabbath; but so far as possible we should secure our tickets and make all necessary arrangements on some other day. When starting on a journey, we should make every possible effort to plan so as to avoid reaching our destination on the Sabbath.—Testimonies for the Church, Vol. VI, pages 355-360.

We cannot mark out the precise way in which each one should observe the Sabbath of the Lord. It is a matter which must be determined largely by the individual conscience. But the nearer we come to God, the more faithfully we study his Word, the more earnestly we seek him in prayer to know the right way, the more particular we shall become with reference to the observance of his holy day. If there is any question in our minds as to what we should do, let us choose the conservative side, the side we know to be absolutely safe. And let us go to no place on the Sabbath of the Lord where we feel in our hearts that the Master himself would not go, and where we would not be willing he should find us when he comes.

F. M. W.