"Remember the Sabbath" When? by Ada M. Learned-Leavett

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Aug 23, 1910

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 37, No. 33.

"Remember the Sabbath" When?

By Ada M. Learned-Leavett

IT was Friday afternoon of a hot July day. William True and the boys had been working faithfully all the week gathering in the abundant harvest of golden grain. At four o'clock father's welcome, cheery voice called out:

"Well, boys, let's quit. Time to straighten up for the Sabbath."

They unhitched the tired horses, rubbed them down briskly, and turned them into the pasture. John and Charles placed the various pieces of farm machinery and implements in their proper places, and put the farm yard in order. Henry proceeded to feed the chickens and gather the eggs. So early in the afternoon, you ask? Yes, one day in the week; for all work that could possibly be done was attended to before the Sabbath drew on.

At the farmhouse, mother had carefully planned, and had her work well in hand. About three o'clock that afternoon she had called the children, Elsie, Julia, and little James, and proceeded to give them their "preparation-day bath," as grave little Julia solemnly referred to it. The children had been trained not to romp and play in the dirt after donning their fresh, clean clothing. There were yet many errands to do and many steps to be taken on this busy farm; but "the Sabbath is coming, and we will be careful," said Elsie.

"The Sabbath is coming, and we will be careful,"

Mother also found time to freshen up; and when father and the boys came in, the improvised bath room of their modest dwelling was at their disposal.

Mother was spreading a simple, wholesome lunch (no hot supper on this warm summer day), consisting of plain bread and butter sandwiches, fresh berries which had been gathered that morning, and some of "mother's Sabbath buns."

There remained time after lunch for every trace of crumb and soiled dish to be removed, while father and John milked at the usual hour, six-thirty o'clock. By slipping on fresh overalls and jumpers, they kept clean, and soon the household was in order.

By seven-thirty, as the twilight hour drew on, the entire family, in cheerful, peaceful frame of mind, ready for the Sabbath blessing both physically and spiritually, welcomed "another day of rest."

"I don't see how Will True can afford to waste so much time on Friday afternoon," remarked Ezekiel Profess. "Eze" (Easy) his neighbors called him, for obvious reasons. "I am sure every minute of my time is occupied by work until sundown."

Let us take a glimpse of the home of Ezekiel Profess.

They are busy harvesting, too; but instead of stopping early, even if every load is not in, they work steadily, hurriedly on, until six o'clock. A forgotten errand, seemingly necessary, comes to mind, and George is commissioned to hurry to the town two miles distant. Mr. Profess sees a neighbor passing by, and must—simply must—stop him and inquire about the proposed county road; and before he realizes, half an hour has slipped away.

Mrs. Profess had spent the day canning fruit, besides endeavoring to do some extra Friday work; and as a consequence, evening finds her very weary and irritable. But she prepares a "good, big supper," for "men will eat," she argues. The younger children busy themselves, and "keep out from under foot," as they have learned.

"Men will eat,"

"Keep out from under foot,"

By the time supper is over, the dishes washed, the hens fed, and eggs gathered, and the milking attended to, the clock is striking eight; and tired and dusty, the family sink down on the back porch for a breath of cool air. No welcome Sabbath song, no pleasant family talk, no uplifting of thankful hearts to their heavenly Father, emanates from this household.

Reader, do you think that William True's family wasted their Friday afternoon?

Follow their example, and decide by actual experience.