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Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Feb 2, 1860

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 15, No. 11.

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DID YOU READ IT?

By A. S. Hutchins

DEAR Brethren and Sisters: So highly do I prize the article in Review No. 8, from Bro. White on the proper observance of the Lord’s Sabbath, that I hope all have read it, and that we shall all be profited by it. I hope the instruction therein contained will fasten firmly upon our minds. It is a subject upon which I have reflected much of late, and have wished some one would speak on it through the Review.
How can we who have seen such a brilliant blaze of light on the Sabbath commandment, be loose and careless in our manner of keeping it? How dare you suffer work which might and should have been out of the way before the Sabbath, to crowd in upon it one half or three-fourths of an hour; and then as the Sabbath is closing rob God of as much more of his holy rest-day? What influence must this practice have upon your neighbors and friends who are looking on?
It is astonishing to learn the minds of some leading members in the church, who should "shine as lights" in the world, in regard to the requirements of the Sabbath law. How the commandment can be so construed as to justify some in the amount of labor they do on this day, I know not. Would it not be better to render unto God the things that are God's? Would it not be more compatible with the injunction of the Saviour, "Let your light so SHINE before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven," to be found all ready and waiting for the return of the Sabbath, than for brethren at its commencement to be miles from home returning from their work, or doing chores, or for sisters to be preparing a warm meal?
I think much of Bro. White's suggestion for family devotion at the commencement and close of the Sabbath. How much easier looking up to the sanctuary for the descent of the Holy Spirit, in the family who thus manifest their pure, deep and genuine love for the Sabbath day, than where all is hurry with secular business. Some in the East who have been long in the message might learn a profitable lesson on this point from some in the West who have more recently embraced the Sabbath.
"Who among you will give ear to this? Who will hearken and hear for the time to come?" A. S. HUTCHINS. Melbourne, C. E.