"And Call the Sabbath a Delight."
By G. D. Ballou
Not long since I had a conversation with a young lady who, with her friends, had but a few months before begun to keep the Sabbath "according to the commandment." The family had received no particular instructions touching the proper observance of the Sabbath, and at the time of which I speak the conversation was bearing somewhat on that point, when she remarked that the Sabbath seemed so pleasant to her that she always rose an hour earlier Sabbath morning, so as to make the day as long as possible. I have reflected much on that remark, so earnestly made. The Sabbath must be a delight to such a soul, and such an example of love and reverence for the Sabbath of the Lord must be a good index of a Christian life. A life which has for its motive power such a reverence for God and for his law cannot fail to be a power for good. The cause of God everywhere needs such examples to-day—examples which are the natural outgrowth of a living sense of honor and love for God dwelling within. Forced service—service in which there is no heart—will be a sorry apology for true obedience in the last great day. I question with myself, Can the Lord delight in, and at last honor with eternal life, any who do not take delight in obeying his commands, and who do not honor him with the service of their lives? Ah that there were more praise and joy and gladsome delight in the service of all who are trying to exalt the down-trodden Sabbath of Jehovah. God will honor those who honor him; he will joy in them that rejoice in him; he will exalt those who exalt him; he will love them that love him; and save them that put their trust in him.