Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1882-08-25

ABSTRACT OF SERMON ON SUNDAY oBsRRN
ANCE, by REV. ]. HAMILTON.

ABSTRACT OF A SERMON ON SUNDAY oBsERy-
AScE, by REV. J. HAMILTON.
On Sunday, Aug. 6, Rev. J. Hamilton of
Wilmington, who is now supplying the Meth
odist pulpit here, preached an excellent ser
mon from the texts, Remember the Sabbath
day to keep it holy" Exodus Xxx. g. and II
was in the spirit on the Lords day." (Rev. l.,
1O) As the texts show, his theme was the
proper observance of Sunday, and the sermon
was listened to with such close attention, and
spoken of in such high terms, that it was
deemed proper to prepare a brief abstract Of
it for publication. The speaker briefly de-
scribed the period from the Creation to the
departure of the Israelites from Egypt, when
God commanded them to abstain from labor
on the seventh day and affixed to a violation
of the command the penalty of death. The
ceremonial law given to the Israelites was not
given or intended for all time but the moral
law WAS adapted to all ages and all classes, and
hence was written on tables of stone, that it
might come down to US with all its perma-
nence and force. The probable reason why
the seUenh day was to be kept was because on
that day God finished the work of creation,
which as his greatest work, must be COM
memorated but when through his SON. Jesus
Christ, far greater work was accomplished
the redemption of all mankind-the early
Christian church saw fit to change the day
lEOu tue bbNtulu 10 Tue nFbl,-WllCn change
had Christs approval, as shown by the fact
that He met with the early Christians on that
day at different times. Man was commanded
to abstain from mental and physical labor on
the Sabbath that he might keep the day holy
unto the Lord. And he needs this day of rest
1t is ono of the greatest of blessings to the
human family, refreshing those weary from
six days of labor or care, and strengthening
them for the duties of the coming week. And
the second text mentions another benefit TO
be derived from it-namely, spiritual growth,
which is attained by the reading and study of
the Scriptures, and by attendance upon the
Sunday school, the church service, and the
prayer and class meetings. Every Christian
needs the privileges of the Sabbath in order
to make the advancement in Christian life
that he ought. Our state has upon its statute
books stringent laws 10 protect every citizens
right to worship God according to the dictates
of his own conscience by prohibiting all sec
ular labor on the Sabbath, and the speaker
advised his hearers TO read these laws for
themselves Gods blessing has always rested
upon the community, and prosperity and hap
piness has ever attended the people who have
kept His Sabbath holy while on the other
hand His righteous indignation has ever fol.
lowed misunderstanding in all ages of the
world. The breaking Of this command opens
the way for breaking all the rest, and one who
would wilfully break the law of God and the
state is manifestly unfit to hold offices of re-
sponsibility and trust. The morals of any
community are endangered when men in high
official position, prominent business men and
citizens openly violate the Sabbath, and the
Christian element of such a community has a
strong adverse element to contend with. In
illustration of the increase of Sabbath break
ing, tho speaker said that in an hours ride on
his way to fulfil an appointment two weeks
ago he counted 10 men in the hay field, and
added that he had seen more misunderstanding
in the last two years than in any previous two
years of his life. Shall we let things 20 on
in this way, or shall We arise and claim the
protection Of the law? Let Christians, at
least, keep the law Of the Sabbath to the let
ter, ever remembering that it is an emblem
of the sacred rest above Let them spend
the holy day in efforts at spiritual develop
ment by all possible means, not neglecting
the assembling OF themselves together for
worship in Gods house, that they may be ell
ed with the Holy Spirit and walk in the paths
of righteousness and true holiness. As they
are faithful TO every known duty, so shall they
have the consciousness of Gods approval and
blessing. H.
First frost Of the season, Aug. 10th
There viii be no agricultural fair at Jack
sonville this year.
Mrs. Lake and Miss Wilcoy have remov-
ed to North Adams.
Geo. F. Roberts is CLERK in ". O. Milling
toms store at Sadawga.
| One of our worthy citizens recently lost