The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1872-08-13

vealed to us in the laws of our being
But though, without the command "Re.
member the Sabbath day to keep it holy, ;"
IN the book of his revel alton. we might
nave recognized its value and to some ex.
tent yielded to its demands, yet there
would have been clashing of, practice to
the annoyance of the faithful, and detri-
mental to its efficiency among the well dis
posed, and among those less disposed to
yield Difference to God and systematic
laws, reckless disregard of its provis.
IONS. So we have reason to be thankful
ior Its incorporation among the precepts
gwen amid the thunders of Mount Sinai.
IL now concerns us to discuss briefly
some Of the more practical points per-
tanning to this subject, or rather to in
quire what is proper observance of this
day to meet this manifest design of God
In its institution /?
Ihe idea OF physical rest must now, as
In the beginning, be first and prominent:
rest from labor, care for temporal inter.
ests' freedom from anxieties, discomtorts
OF every kind. Such physical labor as is
necessary to give the body the highest
possible rest, and bring the mind into
that state in which it can grasp.
most readily and powerfully, the grand
conceptions presented to it in the contem.
plation Of the Infnite,is is not only right to
be performed, but a most sacred DUTY
We have no right to enter upon the du.
ties OF the Sabbath, without the requisite
bodily repose on the night previous, if
there Is no hindrance to such repose ex.
cept our own will. We equally incur
guilt if we prolong the hours of sleep to
our physical or mental disadvantage for
the day. Any lack of cleanliness, insult
hciency, or irregularity of food, ,over.eat
ting, or other form of intemperance, or
anything else which enervates the
system and prevents its utmost effici.
ency, is violation of Gods law making
the Sabbath day of physical rest. A
quiet walk down blythe riverside. for prop
er Objects is not in itself an infringe
ment, but when we think of riding or
walking out on the Lords day, we must
also think of our relations to the world
and OF its bearing upon others. Every
act OF man has relations on every side of
1t, which must be considered in dcterm.
lining Its moral quality.
80 Of the mind. Absolute inactivity
Is not rest, and is not possible Relaxa.
ton from severe mental labor, only poss-
lble oitentlmcs, by radical changes Of
habit aud direction, is essential TO
proper Observance of the Sabbath.
The established usages of the Christian
church with ilr Sunday worship, when
not too pon'lerous with excess of profound
discourse, are eminently calculated to
promote intellectual rest and growth.
The 1rgnalty, the cleanliness. the favor
able physical conditions, gentle stmua-
tlons OF mental activity, the grand and
and elevating sub, ,ects presen-
ted for contemplation, and their single
ness OF purpose to honor God,promote TIE
interests OF his cause, and save souls. is
a requisite condition to roper obscr,-
ance Of the Sabbath
This purpose will prompt to regular
attendance upon public worship, to faith.
tul discharge Of private, domestic and
public christian duties, to watchful care
lest the thoughts wander away on world
ly projects, or in the realms of the i'm.
aglnation, to build castles in the air."
Labors OF love aud mercy are also legti.
nate works for the sacred hours Of the
and always bring with them
their rewards, in blessings upon the soul
OF him who bestows them. To do any
wrong on that day increases the guilt by
the addition Of proclamation of its sacred
hours. The day should never be given
up to single idea. The whole devoted
to either preaching, or reading, or pray.
er, or meditation, or any other form Of
Christian worship or instruction, would
produce WEAKNESS inconsistent with the
highest attainment, and have a tendency
to 9deyclop US unsymmetrically.
what Is desecratIon or the Sabbath, 10
oitentimes matter to be decided by every
individual for himself. He must codsider
Gods design in its institution, and the
moral bearing, and the legitimate effects
of such course of action, and decide the
question for himself in that spirit of 10y
atty to God to which we have referred.
But until he has fully settled it in his
own mind that course of action which
he been led to question, is right and best,
il certainly is wrong for him and may be
fatal to his growth in grace.
But he must not make the mistake to
suppose that unsettled convictions absolve
him from the responsibility of action. On
the contrary, he has the additional oSli.
cation to Investigate, to arrive at de6n.
lte conclusion, and then to act accordingly.