Preparation for Sabbath Keeping
By Jos. Clarke
We should not be too hasty in judging others; for the act or the word we have noticed, may have been bitterly repented of, and forsaken, while we were censuring it in our hearts. The sixth day was the preparation day; if we hold the seventh day as holy, we must prepare for its celebration; and the whole day previous is none too long for the work of preparation; our minds, as well as our hearts, need ordering and arranging; and the hurry and fatigue of the sixth day, if spent in wearing labor, are ill calculated to calm the mind for devotion; then would it not be well, to slack up in our labors on the sixth day, and spend it in putting affairs to rights, and making such general settlements and arrangements as shall best free the mind from care, and thus we enter upon the Sabbath prepared to improve it? There is an intimate connection of the Christian graces, and virtues, and acquirements; one can hardly exist alone; they will pine if not in good society. One will stand on his faith, to the neglect of study; he makes a bright light for awhile, then goes out; another will stand on his understanding of the truth; he fails in like manner, because he neglects meditation, and heart work and prayer. As in the common affairs of life, a diligent performance of little duties, seeing to all the minutiae of business, insures success, so in religion, you must make it your business, your main business. Some make religion a kind of servant, to do their bidding, and when it fails to serve, it is discharged. Religion is a governing principle, standing in majesty and authority, to dictate, not to be dictated to. God's mercy and love reaches to all his creatures; so let our hearts expand in generous acts, and kind words, and love to all. JOS. CLARKE.