p. 220 | The Sabbath by James White

Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Oakland, California · Jul 25, 1878

The Sabbath.

By James White

ITS PROPER OBSERVANCE.—HOW TO COMMENCE AND CLOSE IT.

THE Lord in the fourth precept of the moral code has commanded that we should remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy. He then commands that in it we and our households shall do no work. He also commands that the stranger within our gates shall rest. We understand the expression, "within thy gates," to mean on or around the premises where those who wish to properly keep the Sabbath might be interrupted in its sacred observance.

If unbelieving relatives and friends visit us on the Sabbath, or if unbelieving laborers or boarders do unnecessary work on the premises we become as responsible and as verily Sabbath-breakers as though we ourselves worked on that day. True we may be charged with religious bigotry, and, feeling unwilling to displease our friends, we may be tempted to yield the point, easing our consciences with the thought that we can throw the responsibility of Sabbath-breaking upon them.

But after one point is yielded, we begin to lose that lively sense which we should have of the importance of the proper observance of the Sabbath, and as opportunities for gain by co-partnership with Sunday-keepers are presented before the wavering, the Lord's Sabbath is bartered away for gain. Among the Seventh-day Baptists there are such co-partnerships in manufactories and merchandise where shops and stores are open on all days of the week. We are glad to know, however, that the more active of that body are waking up to the sinfulness of this course. God grant that the like may never be practiced by Seventh-day Adventists.

As a publisher, we have sometimes felt that we would be justified in taking our mail from the postoffice on the Sabbath, having frequently received letters which demanded an answer immediately after the Sabbath. But, as this course was calculated to have a bad influence, not only upon ourself but upon others, we ceased to take our own mail from the office on the Sabbath, and advise our brethren to do the same.

Again, there is a growing practice among our brethren of talking over their worldly business on the Sabbath, and even of planning and figuring relative to it. This is done under the plea that it is closely connected with the work of God, and that they are unable to do all they wish to do for God on the six days of the week. But the Lord of the Sabbath accepts no such service. While his blessing will rest upon those who sacrifice worldly gain for the proper observance of the Sabbath, his withering curse will be upon those who sin against God in making such a lame, God-forbidden offering.

The sixth day of the week is preparation day, and a sufficient amount of time before the Sabbath should be taken to make ready for it. We recommend that a bath be taken and clean clothing put on, so as to appear before the Lord rested and clean, waiting for the Sabbath, ready to welcome it as you would a dear friend. Some labor so hard during the six days of the week that they are drowsy in meeting, and spend much of the day in sleep. If fasting be a Christian duty upon any day, it should be practiced on the Sabbath. A limited amount of food is sufficient for the demands of nature while enjoying physical rest. A partial fast would uncloud the mental powers so that the sacred worship of God upon the Sabbath could be better appreciated and enjoyed.

Again, the beginning and the close of the Sabbath should be especially guarded. We protest against working on sixth day until dark, making it necessary to do chores, and make preparations around the premises, and on the person in the first hours of the Sabbath, as is the custom with some. God has given us six days, and has reserved one to himself. Those who thus mar the first end of the Sabbath rob God of holy time. In our opinion, the Sabbath does not commence when the sun sinks from our sight, but at dark. As there may be differences of opinion as to how dark it should be when the Sabbath commences, in the valleys or on the hills, we would give the Lord's Sabbath the benefit of all the disputed time.

We therefore earnestly recommend that complete preparation be made for the Sabbath on sixth-day afternoon, and that while the sun is still shining, the family be gathered for prayers, and chapters of the Bible be read by the light of day. Then all bow in prayer, welcoming with thanksgiving the new Sabbath. The Lord of the Sabbath will draw very near to such, angels will gather around, and the spirit of the Sabbath will come over the praying circle. Then, as the close of the Sabbath is drawing on, while it is yet light, let the family circle be gathered again, the good word of God be read and then the entire family on their knees in prayer as the Sabbath takes its departure. The best idea of family prayer is where all the members of the family pray. In this case, especially if the family is large, the prayers should be brief, the parents setting the example, being instructed by the Lord's prayer which does not occupy more than a minute.

We do not say that each member of the family should not pray more than a minute, but let them pray, as Jude says, in the Holy Ghost; and if the Spirit leads them out to pray several minutes, there is plenty of time for all to pray during the hour of prayer. J. W.