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The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Oct 20, 1863

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 22, No. 21.

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Sabbath Meditations No. 1.

By J. Clarke

“REMEMBER the Sabbath-day.” Ex. xx.
As I sit and meditate on the ways of God, on this beautiful day, it seems to me a very singular necessity, that drew from the mouth of Jehovah, the above precept.
As I look out upon calm nature, as she appears this afternoon, and only regret that this Sabbath must soon depart, like other Sabbaths, that have sped away in the past, it seems as if such a privilege as that of celebrating the birthday of the world, would be desirable and pleasant to all.
Truly it is good to meet with the people of God with them to study the present truth, with them to worship God, as Sabbath succeeds Sabbath, and it is delightful to meditate in silence, upon God and his works and ways, upon this holy day.
It is good to meditate upon the progress of truth as she marches on from age to age, from nation to nation in humble triumph, sometimes in blood and tears, sometimes in smiles and joys.
It is good to meditate upon the struggle for life, which the child of God experiences, as he maintains the inner life, by watchfulness, prayer, and good works, mingled with faith, and the addition of all the virtues.
It is good to meditate upon the character of the young Christian, who forsakes friends, and home, and opening prospects, and seeks the friendship and fellowship of the despised followers of Christ.
That young disciple, so young, so virtuous and pure, is perhaps disowned by a worldly parent, for obedience to God and regard to this day, which we are commanded to remember.
As one meditates upon a case like this, it is easy to revert to history, and call up instances of martyrdom, in which parents and relations hushed the voice of nature within, and delivered their offspring or nearest relatives to the martyr's doom.
It is good to think how God sustains his people in all trying circumstances and times.
Is a Daniel confined in a lion's den, or a Jeremiah in the mire of the dungeon, or a Polycarp in the flames, God is there, and all the fury of the tormentor, does but continue to work for the glory of God
J. CLARKE.