The Scriptural Observance of the Sabbath.
BRO. SMITH: Believing that some of the readers of the Review need instruction on the proper observance of the Sabbath, and others reproof, I am induced to write out some extracts on this subject, from tract No. 2, of the American Sabbath Tract Society's publications, desiring that you would publish the same. "Notwithstanding God has given the Sabbath for the spiritual and temporal benefit of man, it is manifest that we may suffer a woful loss of all the good it proposes, if we neglect to make a proper improvement of it. Like all other means of grace, it may prove a savor of death unto death to those who abuse it. It therefore becomes a momentous inquiry, How shall this holy day be observed? "This great institution is to be regarded as a weekly testimony of our allegiance to Him who created us. This being the case, it becomes a matter of thrilling importance that the testimony of our allegiance be sincere, characterized by nothing of hypocrisy or formality. If in all our acts of worship we must be careful to worship 'in Spirit and in truth,' surely it is of the highest importance to do so on the solemn occasion, when the great King comes down to test our loyalty. On this day we should by no means omit to celebrate the praise of creation. To be a memorial of this great work of the Almighty, the Sabbath was instituted. But let it not be thought because the work of creation holds so prominent a place in our Sabbath meditations, that redemption is thrown into the shade. It is rather the contrary. One great design of the Sabbath is to promote holiness. But man partakes of no holiness except through the gospel. The mediation of Christ is the only channel through which it is communicated to him, and this always in connection with the most vigorous action of his own mind on the subject. "One very important thing among the duties of the Sabbath is the cultivation of a right spirit with reference to it. We should 'count it a delight.' Isa. lviii, 13. Can that man be called a christian, who counts it an irksome season? Is he spiritually minded to whom it is an unwelcome interruption of his worldly business, who in the avariciousness of his heart says, 'When will the Sabbath be gone that we may set forth wheat?' Amos viii, 5. Surely not. His temper is anything but in accordance with the sacredness of the Sabbath season. His thoughts, his feelings, are a direct violation of that law which says, 'Remember the Sabbath-day to keep it holy.' "To a real christian, however, the Sabbath is the most delightful season he enjoys on earth. It is something like a heaven below; for the things of God and Christ come then into direct contact with his holy soul. He is as eager for the approach of this holy season as the child is for his holiday. Instead of its being too long, it is too short. Such a spirit ought even to be cultivated. In no other way can the Sabbath become a means of grace to the soul. What will mere abstinence from labor do? It will only contribute to the renovation of the corporeal system; which it is true, is one design of the institution. But this is a small part. Shall we take care of the body and not of the soul! Yet the soul suffers unto death, if there be no care to cherish a right spirit with reference to the day which is 'the holy of the Lord.' Our very thoughts must be put under restraint, and the greatest care taken that nothing of a worldly nature intrude into the mind. "This leads us to observe that our conversation should have no reference to worldly things, but should be upon such subjects as are spiritual and tend to the furtherance of the soul in the divine life. 'Not speaking thine own words.' Isa. lviii, 13. But alas! we shall enter the dwellings of some, and when the Sabbath approaches, we shall not know it by any difference that we can discover in their conversation. It is still upon subjects that have not the remotest connection with the glory of God. Follow them to the place of public worship, and up to the very threshold of the door their speech still savors of the world. Follow them through the whole day—the state of their crops, the currency of the country, the political aspect of things, banks, bonds, mortgages; these are the themes upon which they expatiate. These render them animated and even eloquent. 'Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.' Reader, thinkest thou that such persons can say in truth, 'O how love I thy law?' That law says, 'Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy.' Thinkest thou that the love of God reigns in their hearts! This is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. "All visiting for pleasure is inconsistent with a right observance of the Sabbath. Express and plain is the word of God; 'Not finding thine own pleasure.' Isa. lviii, 13. Visiting the sick for the purpose of alleviating their sufferings, and rendering what help we can, either as regards their bodies or their souls, is not only allowable, but is a Sabbath duty. But this is liable to abuse. Many take the Sabbath to visit the sick, because they are not willing to take time on any other day. Others go because the rigid improvement of the day at home is irksome to them. They watch the occasion, and convert it as much as possible into a visit for their own pleasure, while they quiet their consciences by the reflection that they have been visiting the sick. Reader, be careful how you seek to evade the restraints of heaven's law. Every attempt on your part to convert the season of holy rest into a day of pleasure, evinces a heart that counts the commandments of God grievous. Remember, too, that while you visit others for your own pleasure, you may induce others to violate the Sabbath as well as yourself. You take them from their closet, their reading, their meditation. "All traveling for business or pleasure, is also forbidden by the Sabbath law. Such traveling as may be necessary in order to promote the due sanctification of the day, of course is not included. Harnessing horses, and riding to our accustomed places of worship may be necessary to promote the sanctification of the Sabbath, and therefore no breach of it. It stands on the same level with the labor performed by the priests of the old economy in the temple, for which they were 'blameless.' Yet traveling one half the distance for pleasure, is a profanation of the day, inasmuch as the word of God says, 'not finding thine own pleasure.' For the same reason, and because 'there are six days in which men ought to work,' journeying for business on the Sabbath is a violation of it. Take the following case: Bro. A. is out on a journey. The Sabbath comes, and instead of putting up and resting until the sacred season is past, he keeps right forward just as he has done the other days of the week. True he professes to regret the necessity of traveling on this day, but pleads in excuse that he cannot afford to stop at a public house during the time. He is too poor. Pause then, and consider whether, under such circumstances, and actuated by such principles, you can class yourself with those who 'esteem the law of God better than thousands of gold and silver.' "After what has been offered it seems almost needless to add, that Sabbath-keeping includes abstinence from labor. The divine law enjoins us to keep it holy.' The plain meaning of which is, that it is a day peculiarly sacred to the Lord. For the word 'holy,' when applied to things inanimate or to portions of time, denotes them to be set apart exclusively to religious purposes. Wherefore the law is express—'in it thou shalt not do any work.' But alas! what kind of commentary upon this law, is the conduct of many who call themselves by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Let us see. Neighbor B. has a large grass farm, and milks daily from thirty to fifty cows. The product of his dairy is cheese, of which he makes one or two a day during the proper season. The Sabbath comes and the cows must be milked. Well this is right and necessary for the prevention of distress. But then the milk must be subjected to the same operation as on other days, and the cheese made, because otherwise it would be lost. Lost!—well, suppose it should be, how much is it worth? Why five dollars more or less. And so he barters away the sanctity of the Sabbath for five dollars. Every instance of departure from God's law, we believe, will be found to originate in selfishness. But that manner of keeping the day which looks at our own worldly interest, rather than the honor of God, can in no way be called 'keeping it holy.' For if it be holy it is consecrated to God, not to ourselves. It seems almost superfluous to say any thing about public worship, as an important part of Sabbath exercises. If it were necessary to their spiritual prosperity that the Jews should meet together in 'holy convocation,' [Lev. xxii, 3.] and be instructed in the testimonies concerning a Saviour to come, it cannot be less important for Christians to assemble and celebrate the fulfillment of those testimonies and the 'grace and truth which came by Jesus Christ.' Our Lord has ordained public worship to be a means of promoting the growth of his people in holiness; and if the Sabbath is a means to the same end, they ought both to go together, unless our situation render it impossible. If on the holy Sabbath we cannot say, 'How amiable are thy tabernacles, O Lord of hosts,' when can we? If on this holy day we cannot say, 'I had rather be a door keeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness,' when will this be the language of our hearts? "We submit the subject to your consideration, as being one of incalculable importance. Reader what course will you take? God Almighty has separated one day in particular from all others, and pronounced it holy. Will you then say that all days are alike? Or will you assume to yourself the prerogative of setting apart whatever portion of time you choose in open disregard of that particular portion, which 'God blessed and sanctified,' saying it is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God; will you suffer your convenience or your selfishness to come into conflict with the claims of your Maker? Who is it that said, 'if any man will come after me let him deny108himself? Pause then before you suffer yourself to be lulled into indifference on this matter. A vain sophistry insinuates that it is a matter of minor importance a non-essential. But be not deceived. God has magnified its importance throughout his holy oracles. It is God the Lord that speaks, will you obey, or will you 'turn again to folly?'"