State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1831-1836, 1836-01-05

The SABBATH. The following is a state
lnent lately laid before the British House
of Commons, by DR.. Fare, who is a reglar
physician of great skill and with the expert
ence of forty Yeas. Ii is a valuable docu
ment in favor of n Sabbath.
81 have been in the habit, during great
many years, of considering the Sabbath, and
of observing its abuses. The abuses are
chiefly manifested in labor and dissipation.
The use, medically speaking, is for day of
rest-ln IL theological sense, it is day of
holy rest, providing for the introduction of
new and subimer ideas into the mind of
man, preparing him for his future state.
As day of rest view it day of compen-
sation for the inadequate and restorative
power, because if this once he lost his
healing office is at an end.--lf | show you
from the physiological view of the question
that there are provisions in the laws of ma
ture that correspond with the divino conf
mandment, YOU will see from the analogy
that "the sabbath was made for man." as Il
necessary appointment. Aphysician is anX-
iiouS TO preserve "A balance of Ccirulation, as
ne ,sary to the restorative power of the
body The ordinary eXertions Of man run
down the circulation every day of his life {:
land the first general law ofnature by which
God who is not only the giver but suatainer
Of human life prevents a man from destroy
Ing himself, is the alternating Of day with
night that repose may succeed action.
But although the night apparently equalizes
the crculrtion, yet it does not sufficiently
restore its balance for the attainment Of a
long life. Hence one day in seven by the
bounty of divine Providence, is thrown in
| "a u ,ln AZ IN :
repose the animal system. You may easily
determine this question as matter of fact
by trying it on beasts of burden.--T
that fine animal the horse and work him TO
the full extent of his powers evary day III
the week, give him rest one day in seven,
and You will soon preceive by the superior
vi;-ar It'll, 'vl.ei hc performs his functions
the other SIX days, that tnIs rest is ne,
to his well being. Man, possessing a su-
perior nature, is borne along by the vigol
of his mind so that the injury of continued
durnal eXertion and excitement, on his am
NAL system, is not so Immediately apparen
as it is in the brute but in the longer run
he breaks down more suddenly ; it abrldge
the length of his life, and that vigor of ole
age, which, las to mere animal power ough
to be the object of its preservation.
consider therefore, that IN the bountifll
: provision of Providence for the preservation
of human life, the Sabbatical appointment
not, as it has been sometimes theologlcalll
viewed, simply u precept partaking of TIT
nature of political institution, but that
is to be numbered amongst the natura
duties ifthe preservation ofliie be admltte'
3 to be duty and the premature destruction
oft suicidal act. This is said simply a
: a physician without any reference at all t
2 the theological question but ifyou conside
further the proper effect of real Christianity
, namely, peace of mind, confiding trust i
God, and good will preceive in this sourc
Of renewed vigor to the mind and thro' tn
mind to the body, an additional spring O
life impaired from this higher use of tn
Sabbath as day of holy rest. Were
y pursue this part of the question, shoul
n be touching on the duties committed TO tn
clergy, but this | will say, that researche
in physiology, of the working of Providenc
: in nature, will establish the truth ofreveli
}. ton, and consequently show that the divin
command is not to be considered as Il
! arbitrary enactment, but as an appointmel
! necessary to MAUI"