Fear a Rest by R. F. C.

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 4, 1869

“Fear a Rest.”

By R. F. C.

My singing teacher used to say that singers should always fear a rest, being very careful not to sing it. That a rest in music is a mark of silence, and not a voice should be heard on the time measured by the rest. Consequently it were better to cut short the sound on the note immediately preceding the rest, than to prolong it a twinkling beyond its time. Said he, Always fear a rest; never sing it.

Let us apply this thought to Sabbath-keeping. The Sabbath is a rest from worldly toil and business. The sound of labor and worldly care should not be heard during its sacred moments. In the words of the poet, speaking of the Sabbath eve,

“Hushed is the tumult of the day, And worldly cares and labors cease.”

The tumult of labor and business should not encroach a moment on the sacred rest of the Sabbath. Better cut short the round of toil—better be all ready for the Sabbath, and wait a little for its arrival, than to prolong our business one moment upon the time of this sacred rest. Better be half an hour too early for the train, than one minute behind it. But the maxims of worldly wisdom seem to be in advance of many who profess to be children of light. If we are found behind time every Sabbath eve, shall we not be likely to be too late for the train to glory?

We know for six days before hand that the rest of the holy Sabbath will come; but alas! how many fail to make preparation and receive it when it comes. Can God be well pleased with our encroachments upon his reserved time? For my part, I feel best when I am all ready to hail the Sabbath at the moment of its arrival. I believe Heaven smiles upon this. And is there not a frown when we fail? We have some chores, such as watering and feeding domestic animals, which may be done on the Sabbath. But need we do these on the eve of the Sabbath? Can we not feed our stock and wash and prepare ourselves for the Sabbath on the preparation day, and have all hushed before the sun is down? Let us fear to encroach upon the Rest

R. F. C.