Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1852-11-24
sABBATH-KEEPING, A REST.

Sd When the duty of keeping the Sabbath as a
day of rest is urged, it is often met with the re-
ply that "the manner in which the Sabbath is
generally kept by church-goers is itself labori-
Gus, that, so far from being rest, il increases
the demand for rest" Now it is admitted that
it is possible to crowd too many sanctuary SER
vices into that holy day. But that too much is
generally crowded into it to answer the end OF
the Sabbath as day of rest, is positively deni-
ed The person who forms, the habit of church
going, and is regular in it, feels, as general
thing, far better rested on Monday morning,
than does the person who lounges away the
Sabbath, church absentee. Habits of labor
are now such that the person who works the
six weekdays must necessarily feel somewhat
fatigued and worn out when Saturday night
comes round. Such is actually the case with
tilers of the soil, operatives in mills, and indeed
with all faithful laborers. Saturday night finds
them all tired. But by this it by no means fol-
lows that they should spend the Sabbath follow
ing in lounging or in sleeping. Gentle exercise
is what the tired man needs after nights resi-.
And this, together with the chance variety of
scene which comes over him, as he meets with
his friends and neighbors at church, is the best
rest. 1t is far better for him, than shutting him.
self up at home, sauntering in the fields, or ~
ing half the day in bed. Who has not had a
feeling of the ridiculous come over him, as he
has seen one of these Sabbath-sleepers come
out of his feathers just in time perhaps, to take
his supper How finely rested he appears, as he
tries to wash the feverish stupidity from his face
gargle his throat, stretch, cape, and at length
falls into his supper chair {" | am not bit hun
cry.
He has had rest with vengeance. Not so
with the person who gently exercises himself
on the Sabbath, is cheerful at church and closes
up the day with the feeling that God has not
been forgotten. He sleeps sweetly Sabbath
night, and rises Monday morning finely refresh
ed for the next six days Of toll. When, there.
fore, hear persons talking about laboring so
hard during the week that they cannot attend
church on Sunday, though we are willing in all
charity to suppose them sincere, we must be
permitted to think them greatly mistaken. II
however, persons have worked so hard during
the week that Sunday finds them sick. we are
not so unreasonable as to expect them at church.
But they have no right to work so hard. In so
doing, they commit one sin, only to create ne
cessity for committing another. The first is the
sin Of overmuch labor; the second that of Civ.
ing their influence against one Of the chief IN
situations of good to the human race. Let ii
be repeated again, that none but a sick person
need shut himself up and sleep while the sun is
above the horizon; and that gentle exercise and
variety of scene, and play of the social feelings
and that excitement Of the cheerful, which the
Sabbath as spent by church-goers is calculated
to secure, answers most perfectly the design OF
the Sabbath as day of rest. He therefore who
would prof: most from the Sabbath as such
will adopt for that day the general habits of a
church-going people. Morning STAR