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Proper Sabbath Observance

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jun 30, 1910

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 87, No. 26.

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Proper Sabbath Observance

By R. M. GARTON

R. M. GARTON
1. Which day is the Sabbath? “But the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God.” Ex. 20: 10.
2. When does the Sabbath begin and end? “From even unto even, shall ye celebrate your Sabbath.” Lev. 23: 32.
3. What is said about the edges of the Sabbath? “We should jealously guard the edges of the Sabbath. Remember that every moment is consecrated, holy time.”—“Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. VI, page 356.
4. From what should the mind and the body be free? “Before the Sabbath begins, the mind as well as the body should be withdrawn from worldly business.”—Ib.
5. What should be the attitude of the family as the Sabbath approaches? “Before the setting of the sun, let the members of the family assemble to read God’s Word, to sing and pray.”—Ib.
6. How should we mark the close of the Sabbath? “As the sun goes down, let the voice of prayer and the hymn of praise mark the close of the sacred hours, and invite God’s presence through the cares of the week of labor.”—Id., page 359.
7. How much time has God given us to do our own work? “Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work.” Ex. 20: 9.
8. What day is especially the preparation day? “While preparation for the Sabbath is to be made all through the week, Friday is to be the special preparation day. Through Moses the Lord said to the children of Israel: ‘To-morrow is the rest of the holy Sabbath unto the Lord; bake that which ye will bake to-day, and seethe that ye will seethe.’”—“Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. VI, pages 354, 355.
9. What other duties should be attended to before the Sabbath? “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.”—Id., pages 355, 356.
10. How do some regard the Sabbath? “When your temporal circumstances seem to require attention, you violate the fourth commandment without compunction. You make the keeping of God’s law a matter of convenience, obeying or disobeying as your business or inclination indicates.”—Id., Vol. IV, page 248.
11. Does God accept such worship? “A partial observance of the Sabbath law is not accepted by the Lord, and has a worse effect upon the minds of sinners than if you made no profession of being a Sabbath-keeper.”—Ib.
12. In what other way have some broken the Sabbath? “And while their minds were all occupied with things of earth, and serving themselves, they could not serve the law of God. The Sabbath has not been kept. By some the work of six days has been carried into the seventh. One hour, and even more, has often been taken from the commencement and close of the Sabbath.”—Id., Vol. I, page 150.
13. How will others look upon our example? “Many excuse themselves for violating the Sabbath by referring to your example. They argue that if so good a man, who believes the seventh day is the Sabbath, can engage in worldly employments on that day when circumstances seem to require it, surely they can do the same without condemnation. Many souls will face you in the Judgment, making your influence an excuse for their disobedience of God’s law. Although this will be no apology for their sin, yet it will tell fearfully against you.”—Id., Vol. IV, page 250.
14. For what purpose does God give us the Sabbath? “He gives it to man as a day in which he may rest from labor, and devote himself to worship and the improvement of his spiritual condition. What a flagrant outrage it is for man to steal the one sanctified day of Jehovah, and appropriate it to his own selfish purposes!”—Id., page 249.
15. Should we spend the sacred hours in bed? “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.”—Id., Vol. VI, page 357.
16. How should we relate ourselves to church services on the Sabbath? “Wherever there are as many as two or three believers, let them meet together on the Sabbath to claim the Lord’s promise. The little companies assembled to worship God on his holy day have a right to claim the rich blessing of Jehovah.”—Id., page 360.
17. How should we dress on the Sabbath? “Many need instruction as to how they should appear in the assembly for worship on the Sabbath. They are not to enter the presence of God in the common clothing worn during the week. All should have a special Sabbath suit to be worn when attending service in God’s house. While we should not conform to worldly fashions, we are not to be indifferent in regard to our outward appearance. We are to be neat and trim, though without adornment. The childrenof God should be pure within and without.”—Id., page 355.
18. What should be the character of our conversation? “Not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words.” Isa. 58: 13.
19. What precaution should be taken in the matter of eating on the Sabbath? “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 defiles 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. . . . In cold weather let the food prepared the day before be heated, and let the meals though simple be palatable and attractive.”—Id., page 357.
20. Should each one take part in the religious services? “Every one should feel that he has a part to act in making the Sabbath meetings interesting. . . . Never think you can be Christians, and yet withdraw yourselves within yourselves. Each one is a part of the great web of humanity, and the experience of each will be largely determined by the experience of his associates.”—Id., page 362.
21. How should the children be taught to observe the Sabbath? “If you desire your children to observe the Sabbath according to the commandment, you must teach them by both precept and example.”—Id., page 359.
22. If children are left to themselves, what are they apt to do? “In many families younger children are left to themselves, to find entertainment as best they can. Left alone, the children seem to become restless, and begin to play or engage in some kind of mischief. Thus the Sabbath has to them no sacred significance.”—Id., page 358.
23. How may parents instruct their children on the Sabbath? “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.”—Ib.
After reading the foregoing, let us read the whole chapter in Volume VI of the Testimonies, and we shall find many valuable suggestions in regard to Sabbath observance.
Hastings, Neb.