The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1893-03-10
CHRISTIAN ENDEAvOR.
Topic For the Week Beginning March D.
Comment by Rev. 4. II. Doyle.

Tonic For the Week Beginning March b.
Comment by Rev. 8. II. Doyle.
Toprc.-Thc Lords day. How shall we keep
itp Neb. xiii, 2; Msth. xii, s-1B. "sanctify the
Sabbath day" Eeh. xiii. 2.
I. The Sabbath day. The Oldest insti-
tuition of the world is the Sabbath or
Lords day. II is almost as old as crea-
ton. Born on tho seventh day of time,
christened amid the thunderings OF Sinai,
observed as sacred and holy by Christ
and His disciples, 1t has all the marks of
divinity upon it. If venerabieness adds
anything Of interest or worth to the Gus
toms of men, surely il should be accorded
to the Sabbath day. 1t has outlasted the
patriarchal affairs, witnessed the decay
OF sacred monuments, survived the tab
ernaclo, temples and gorgeous sacrifices,
and after almost 10 Christian centuries
It is still honored and revered Of men.
It's future history is as certain as Its
past history, because 1t is divine. Nor
will IL end with the end Of time, for the
Scripture tells us Of rest or Sabbath
that remains to the people of God be-
yond this life. All honor, then, to that
which always has been, which is and
always will be-namely, the Christian
Sabbath
2. Why should the Sabbath be kept?
There are many reasons. God observed
it and commanded it to be observed.
Christ observed it and illustrated the
true spirit in which all should observe
Il. 1t is necessary to the best physical,
mental and moral development Of man.
God did not institute the Sabbath for
divine benefit. "The Sabbath was made
for man." Man needs 1t. The individ-
ual needs it. The nation needs it. The
world needs It, The toilers in the field,
the factory and workshop need it. Nor
is 1t less necessary to the one who labors
with his mind. A Sabbath given to the
soul Is the best of all means for refresh
ing the intellect Of man. The soul needs
the Sabbath-both the soul Of the saint
and the sinner.
8. How should the Sabbath be kepH
This is much discussed question today.
Some perhaps are too conservative and
others too liberal. 1t should not be OBJ
served in such way as to make its only
virtue that it comes but one day in seven.
| On the other hand, no such spirit of care
lcSSlleSb VI ulbIcSdiu, ohiouAu SAAtsA ~
| it as to do away with all the sacred
claims 1t has upon us. 1t is the Lords
| day and should in some way be devoted
| to Him. AS its name signifies, it is q
rest day, and as such we should keep 1t
holy. On that day we should rest from
the labors and pleasures of the other
six days; rest because we need
rest and this seventh portion OF
time 10 devote to God. That the
body and mind may have true rest, and
that the soul may receive the highest
benefit from the Lords day, we should
spend the time in public worship of God,
fellowship and communion with the
members Of our own families, quiet read
ing and meditation Of Gods holy word.
Thus only can we "sanctify the Sabbath
day"
Bible -Gen. ii, 1-8; Elk. X,
eli; Mum. xviii, o; Dsut. v, IA; Eek.
XVI, 3; Neh. TX, ID; lisa. lviii, 13; Math.
Xii, 19: Luke iv, 10, 81; vi, 8; John TX, IA;
Acts xiii, II; XIV A; Acts xiii, 81; Heb.
iv, 4, 8; I Cor. xvi, Q; Jer. xvii, 81; Mum.
Nv, 82-38; Rev. l. 10.