The Indianapolis journal., 1883-05-19

seven ndS Deen set apart as dltferent from all
the others. 1t shall be day of rest. To him
who for six days does his work faithfully and
we'll, the seventh day ought to come with
grateful relief, and its coming ought to be
anticipated with genuine gratitude. Let the
origin of the day be what it may-divine or
secular-its peculiar restfulness is full of
gracious refreshing. Like the mill-hands of
Lawrence, all who wish may sleep later on
that morning than on others. The o'clock
whistle and the work bell are silent. The
engine is cold, the wearisome whir of wheels
slumber are enjoyable beyond measure. The
tension of nerve and muscle is relaxed, and
the Sunday morning sleep is worth more
than all the hours that are haunted by
thoughts of going to work and anxiety lest
the tired body tarry too long in the only
luxury it can know.
But it is not all of the poor mans
Sunday to be able to sleep late in
the morning. He has his choice of
how the waking hours shall be passed, for
the blue laws of Connecticut are no longer
tangible terrors to him. After breakfast,
eaten with delightful deliberation not known
on other mornings there remains still the
greater part of the day. To those religiously
disposed the church offers attractions, 1t is
fitting that some portion OF this rest day be
given to sreligious reflection. The myriad
cares that infest the week are gone, the
CRIME is washed off, and the ceaseless rush is
for the time given up. 1t is healthful and
profitable to mediate on the duties of life,
on the destiny of mankind, and the unend-
ing hereafter that awaits us all at no distant
day. Instinct and intelligence tell us that it
is not all of life to live. There surely must
be something more for poor, tired humanity
than but to find repose in oblivion. The
grave may bring rest, but the grave is no
reward. There is more than death
after life's fitful fever. When tired
be for the first time, and in the grave; when
throbbiEg temples grow calm, and aching
limbs are forever free from pain, that is not
all, that is not the end. This greatest prob
lem Of life is best contemplated in the calm
of the seventh days rest. 1t matters not
whether one be Christian or Israelite, Budd-
hist or Pagan, this question applies to all
with equal force. So it were well
to give a portion of the rest day
of the world to the thoughtful con-
sideration of this universal theme
But if wholly oblivious of the future state;
if we leave it all to the uncertainti ties of the
future, there still remains choice as to how
7 the Sabbath shall be passed. There are those
/ who especially in summer make it the
''hurra" day of all the seven. 1t is given
'loyer to riotous revelry, to drinking, and to
reckless sport that leaves the body even
more exhausted at the end than at the be-
| ginning In no sense is this wise. He who
on Sunday rushes off to some picnic, camp
meeting, or other tiresome diversion, does
violence to his physical nature that is GER
tain to incur penalty. He comes home in
the evening tired, dusty, hungry, and thor
in general, physically, mentally and morally
| tired out and goes to his work next morn
| ing in a quarrelsome, disconnected mood,
wholly at variance with what nature in
tended. The wiser, and therefore better plan
would besto make the day one of complete
rest. Stay home from church, if you will,
! but don't be beguiled into camp-meeting
or picnic for that day. If you want breath
of fresh air and glimpse Of the green woods,
go and get them, but don't engage to do it
with crowd-the price is too high. Beer
and dust and disgust should be no part of
Sunday. But rest, good cheer and thankful
ness should sweeten all its hours, so that
mind body and spirit shall be ready for
the new week with every energy alert.
Such use of Sunday is certain to carry with
it still and quiet conscience, body re-
| freshed and mind armed anew to grapple
with the obligations of life There is no
sting anywhere no regret Sunday properly
observed makes the working days shorter
and the whole world better and brighter.
| Squandered in needless rush, its purpose is
perverted and its object defeated. Aside
from any religious view that may attach its
abuse is sure to incure penalty from out
ragged nature that sorely needs one day in
seven in which to rest from the necessary
labors that are placed upon it.
| TIE General Assembly Of the Presby yterian