Litchfield enquirer., 1855-02-08
4 Physiological View of the Day os Rest.
 BY rR, BARRE

BY DR. FARRE.
 The ordinary exertions of man run do,ca the circulation every day of his life; and the (who IS not only the giver. but also the pre- server and sustainer of life) prevents man from destroying himself, is the alternating of day with night, that repose may succeed action. But although the night apparently equalizes the circulation well, yet it does not sufficiently restore its balance for the attainment of long life. Hence one day in seven, by the bounty of Providence, is thrown in as day of compensation, to per- feet by its repose the animal system. You may easily determine this question as mat ter of fac, by trying it on beasts of burden. Take that fine animal, the horse, and work him to the fuil extent of his powers every day in the week, or give him rest one day in seven, and you will soon perceive, by the superior vigor with which he performs his functions on the other six days, that this rest is necessary to his we'll being. Man, possessing superior nature, is borne along by the very vigor of his mind, so that the injury of continued diurnal exertion and ex- ci,ement on his animal system is not so im- 1 mediately apparent as it is in the brute: but in the long run he breaks down more sud- denly: it abridges the length of his life, and that vigor of his old age which Gas to mere animal power) ought to be the object of his preservation. consider. therefore, that in the bountitul provision of Providence for the preservation of human life, the Sab batical appointment is not, as it has been sometimes theologically viewed, simply precept partaking of the nature of political institution, but that it is 10 be numbered among the natural duties, if the preservation of life be admitted to be duty, and the premature destruction of it suicidal act.- And if you consider further the proper effect of real Christianity, namely, peace of mind, 1 conhding trust in God, and goodwill to man, you will perceive, in this source of re- ! newed vigor to the mind, and through the mind to the body, an additional spring of 1 life imparted from this higher use of the Sab bath as hoiy rest. Researches in physi-
 ology will establish the truth of revelation,
 and consequently show that the divine com
 mandment is not 10 be considered as an ar
 bltrary enactment, but as an appointment
 necessary to man. This is the position in
 which l would place it, as contradistin- 1 guished from precept and legislation; l
 would point out the Sabbatical rest as nec- essary to man; and that the great enemies ofthe Sabbath, and consequently the ene- mics of man, are all laborious exercises of the body or mind, and dissipation, which force the circulation on that day in which i, should tepose; while relaxation from i the ordinary cares of life, the enjoyment of this repose in the bosom of one's family, with the religious studies and duties which tie day enjoins, constitute the beneficial and appropriate service of the day. Tine stu dent of nature, in becoming the student of Christ, will find, in the principles of his doctrine and law, the only and perfect sci encc which prolongs the present, and per. feCts the future life.