The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1875-10-19
THE SABBATH.
From the Deiro.t 1.ribuu., Oct I,th.

From the Detrot 1ribun-, Oct ltth.
At the Central NJ. T.. Church, last
evening Rev. DIR. l.. Il, Fiske, the past
or, preacaed an able au inter6 sing dir
course on the Sabbath, with especii
reference to its purpose, and the prop
er mode of its observance:
He claimed that the purpose Of Gods
injunctions regarding the Sabbath, and
the end sought to secure through the
Sabbath is spiritual. 1t is not mere
sanitary provision 20 p-olong human
life, and TO promote the pysical health
of individuals, nor is il 10 keep the in
tellect from wearing out. Ut is found
ed on the mo-al and spiritual wants of
our nature. With the divine injunction
Of "Six days shalt thou labor, is join
ed both the permission aud Injunction
of rest on tho seventh. Eut God does
not make this provision TO clash with
our physical or mental wants. Every
argument connected with our life
urges us TO keep this commandment.
This requirement conforns strictly TO
the constitution OF our being. The
body needs the Sabbath, the mind
needs it, the whole soul cannot do
without II.
Continuous labor OF any kind would
soon wear out the system. The vitali-
ty gradually runs down, hence night is
absolutely required for the recupera-
tion of wasted energies, for the re-ac.
cumulation of force expended during
the previous portion OF the day. Sleep
is not n mere habit, but il is required
to restore that which has been consum-
ed. But il is found that in the case of
any person leading an active life, the
rest OF the night does not completely
nuke up for the waste OF the day.
When Saturday comes, the yigor, the
power Of application and the endurance
is not as great as on the preceding
Monday. A gradual depletion OF en-
erpies has meantime taken place, and
the rest of the Sabbath IS required to
completely restore tho equilibrium.
This position is sustained by high med
ical authority. DIR. Fore, OF London,
enunciates this principle very clearly
in these words: "As n day of rest
view the Sabbath as a..day Of compen-
sation for the inadequate restorative
power of the body under continual Ia
Dor and excitement. The ordinary ex-
ertions OF man run down the circula-
ton every day of his life, and the first
general law Of nature by which God
prevents man from destroying himself
is the alternating ofday and might, that
repose may succeed action. But al
though the night apparently restores
the circulation, yet il does not sufiic-
iently restore its balance for the attain
ment OF long life. Hence one day in
seven, by the bounty of Providence is
thrown in as day OF compensation, to
perfect, by its repose, the animal sys-
tenn. consider. therefore, that in tho
bountiful provision Of Providence for
| the preservation of human life, the
Sabbatical appointments TO be remem-
bered among the natural duties, il the
preservation of life be admitted to be
duty, and the premature destruction
Of it suicidal act.
The New Haven Medical ssociation
at meeting in which twenty-iv men,
bers were present, considered DIR.
Forre's position on this question, and
approved it in every respect by a unan-
imous vote. DIR. FisLe adduced tes-
timony 10 show the the deteriorating
effects OF seven days labor in the
week on the physical system, including
the results OF Investigations into the
matter by physicians. it is not the la
Dor of the hands alone which is forbid
den, but also the labor OF the mind,
except in that which relates to our re-
ligious life. We may not employ our
mental faculties 10 promote our busi-
ness, or with any other business in
view than 10 secure our spiritual we'll
being. The merchant has no right 10
post his books, the banker to run up
his accounts, the lawyer 10 look over
his authorities and make up his briefs,
the mechanic to prepare his bills OF
lumber, the farmer 10 arrange his plans
OF labor for the week, or the student TO
pursue his studies on the Sabbath.
These are no less in violation Of Gods
law than the employment OF our phsic-
powers in the direct line OF our busi-
ness. There is a great amount OF tes-
timony TO show that success in any de-
partment in life requiring much OF
brain work can only be most fully nc
complished by scrupulously observing
the Sabbath. Sir Matthew Hale, the
eminent English iurist, tells us that
4 whenever he undertook any secular
business on the Sabbath day, or even
planned or forecasted il, il was sure 10
fail. SO marked was this that he fear.
ed to think Of worldly business on this
day. DIR. Fisher also cited the testi-
mony OF other intellectual men TO the
same effect.
!, But reiaxstion from labor is not a
n complete fultillment OF the command
10 keep the Sabbath holy. This il
enly the negative side Of the law. There
nust not only be a refraining force
but also doing, positive end 10 be
sought. The Almighty claims the
whole of tins day His own. The grea,
work OF human life ia the perfection oI
character and preparation for eterni
~. And the Sabbath is provided as
special aid in securing each OF these
results. IL was love that prompted
the setting apart of this dsy--the com
passion aud care OF the all-mercifu
Father. The Sabbath would not hav,
been thrown across our path, as W