A CORRESPONDENT asks, "If a brother is sued, and the Court is on the Sabbath, is it right for him to attend and present his account to show that the debt had been paid? As we have a case of this kind among us, will you or some other Bro. give us your view of the matter through the Review?"
ANSWER. The Law reads, "Remember the Sabbath-day to keep it holy." It says, "Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath," &c. From this we can draw no other meaning than that upon that day we withdraw our mind from all affairs of our own, our secular concerns, and worldly interests, and devote the day to the especial service of God. Now is it consistent with these restrictions, to attend a Court, as in the above question, and engage in the business there brought to view? While we express a decided opinion that it is not, we think that we are expressing not our own view only, but the opinion also of a majority of the brethren. And further, should the person appear at court, he must necessarily be dumb; for we are forbidden to speak our own words, on the Sabbath, as well as to do our own works. Isa. lviii, 13.
We have heard of the case of a brother who was once similarly situated; but he went to the magistrate and readily procured the postponement of his case. The malicious intention of his enemy to make him appear on the Sabbath, being thus defeated, the suit was dropped and he had no further trouble with it. But suppose this could not be done, and judgment should be obtained against the individual for non-appearance? In this case we know of no other way for him to do, but to take joyfully the spoiling of his goods, bearing in mind the glorious promise that all things shall work together for good to them that love God. Rom. viii, 29.