The Mt. Sterling advocate. (Mt. Sterling, Ky.) 1890-current, 1893-02-28
CHRISTIAN eNDEAvoa.
Topic For the Week beginning March
f....n..,.,.,t H.. Iln.r . IL nn.,In

Topic For the Week beginning March 8.
Comment by Rev. S. II. Doyle.
ToPIc.--The Lords day. How shall we keep
it2 Neh xiii, %; Math. xii STA "Sanctify the
Sabbath day" Neh. xiii, %.
/. The Sabbath day. The oldest insti-
tuition Of the world is the Sabbath or
Lords day. 1t is almost as old as crea-
ton. Born ON the seventh day of time,
christened amid the thunderings of Sinai,
observed as sacred and holy by Christ
and His disciples, it has all the marks Of
divinity upon it. If venerableness adds
anything of interest or worth to the Gus
toms of men, surely it should be accorded
to the Sabbath day. 1t has outlasted the
patriarchal affairs, witnessed the decay
of sacred monuments, survived the tab
ernacle, temples and gorgeous sacrifices,
and after almost 10 Christian centuries
it is still honored and revered of men.
Its future history is as certain as its
past history, because it is divine. Nor
will it end with the end of time, for the
Scripture tells us of a 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 i'll which all should observe
it. 1t is necessary to the best physical,
mental and moral development of man.
God did not institute the Sabbath for
for man." Han needs it. 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 it 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
and the sinner.
3. How should the Sabbath be kept?
This is much discussed question today.
Some perhaps are too conservative aid
others too liberal. 1t should not be OBJ
served in such a way as to make its only
virtue that it comes but one day in seven.
On the other hand, no such spirit of care
lessness, of disregard, should characterize
it as to do away with all the sacred
claims it has upon us. 1t is the Lord
day and should in some way be devoted
to Him. AS its maine signifies, it is a
rest day, and as such we should keep it
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 to 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 References-Gen. ii, 1-3; Elk. Xxx.
Cit; Mum. xviii, 8; Deut. V, ii; Eek
XVI, 3: Neh. tx, IA; Isa. lviii, 10; Math
xii, ~; Luke iv, 10, 81 vi, @; John tx, IA;
Acts xiii, IA; XIV "A; Acts xiii, 81; Heb.
iv, A, 8; I Cor. xvi, 2: Jer. xvii, 81: Mum.
XIV, 1885; Rev. i, 10.