Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1886-05-02
SUNDAY MUSINGS.


Few puiet Observation On the One Day
in>eNsn.
Fresh glides the brook and blows the gale.
Yet Wonder halts the quiet mill
The whIrring wheel. the rushing sail
How motionlrSS aHd still
>iN days stern labor shut the poor
From nature careless banquet hall.
The SrNruth, AN Angel "p,N the door.
And, smiling. Welcomes all
-Rul,r~r.
The sabbath day-rest day is a phys
cal Necessity Continuous labor. even if 1t is
light and agreeable. umdcrminrs the phy~i-
cal system, reduces the mental capacity and
dulS the moral >rnSS
This has probably been the experience of
every one who has tried working seven days
each week for any considerable time 1t
seems 10 make no difference which of the
days is observed as day of rest; therefore
il is concluded that there is no special viz
tue in the day itself
Rest does not imply a complete cessation
from physical or mental activity. To do :"
would he more irkNuIne and treSome than
the ordinary labor.
Resting. in ITS fullest sense. signifies a
cessation from enforced duties. One of its
chief elements IS the sense of having moth
ing To do. The mind is at ease, and the
body seeks the most comfortable positions
PoSsihe. The daily routine j. broked and
nervous tension reduced and muscular re-
laNatiOn encouraged
Those whose lahnrS require the use of Il
certain system of muscles. find rest in rX-
erciSing other systems; those whose minds
are employed on a certain class of topics
find rest in thinking on others: while those
who have great variety in their daily lives
And rest in aimIcs> walks, talking at ran
dom, and allowing the mind to wander
whitherSoever il will
That which yields the most complete re
Taxation 10 the mind and body is the source
of the most perfect and profitable rest.
1t may be inferred that the SureSt means
of securing the greatest amount of rest
would be Ia take up that which is as nearly
opposite the daily routine as possible. Such
an inference. however. i not well founded.
Such a course would be too violent to in-
sure comfort, and could not he INDUCED in
to any great extent without considerable
and tireSome.
Taste and inclination must both be- con
suited in seeking rest. Walking where, or
when one does not want to. is not even
healthful exercise Reading that which is
not entertaining is not good paStime. Pass
ing a day under the restraint of stringent
social customs robS it of its reStfulneSS.
The portion of time set apart for rest is
in perfect harmony with nature, and it is,
therefore. necessary for man, if he expects
to enjoy health, comfort and prosperity. TO
cease his labOrS during one Of each seven
days. That this is in perfect harmony with
nature and the laws by which the universe
was brought is clearly set forth i'll the deca-
IOgue:
Remember the Sabbath day to keep it
holy.
six days shalt thou labor and do all thy
work;
But the seventh day is the Sabbath of
the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do
any work. thou. nor thy son, nor thy daugh
ter thy man-Servant, nor thy maid-servant
nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is with
i'll thy gates;
For in six days the Lord made heaven
and earth. the sea, and all that in them is
and rested the seventh; wherefore, the
Lord blessed the sabbath day, and hal
lowed it"
1t will be observed that the Lord gives
reasons for this requirement, which is done
in only one other instance in the decalogue
From this fact it may well De- inferred that
it is not simple arbitrary command, but a
matter of vital importance.