Connecticut western news., 1897-02-18

gather in the sanctuasy. Vile indeed must that man be who will come in from his idols and unrepented follies to take hold of the sacred vessels of the temple. O thou Nebuchadnezzarl Back with you to Babylon!
 The Holy Day.
 Those also desecrate sacred things who use the Sabbath for any other than religious purposes. This holy day was let down from heaven amid the intense sec ularities of the week to remind us that we are immortal and to allow us prep aration for an endless state of happi- ness. It is green spot in the hot desert of this world that gushes with fountains and waves with palm trees. This is the time to shake the dust from the robes of our piety and in the tents of Israel sharpen our swords for future conflict Heaven, that seems so far of on other days, alights upon the earth. and the song of heavenly choirs and the hosan- na of the white robed seem to mingle with our earthly worship. We hear the wailing infant of Bethlehem, and the hammer stroke of the carpenters weary son in Nazareth, and the prayer of Geth- semane. and the bitter cry of Golgotha- Glory be unto the Lord of the Sabbath 1! With that one day in seven God divides this great sea of business and gayety, that so, dry shod, we may pass between the worldly business of the past and the worldly business of the futurei
 But to many the Sabbath comes only rlax f1,- srhl c.f Ga1l rambling, hotel lounging and political caucusing This glorious Sabbath, which was intended only as golden chalice from which the thirsty should drink, is this moment being carried down to Babylon. do not exaggerate the truth when 1 say that to tens of thousands there Is no distinction between the Sab bath and the weekdays except that on the Lord s day they do not work, while they eat more largely and dissipate more thoroughly. Sabbath breakers are like hunters who should compel their hounds to take rest while themselves continue on the weary chase, for men on the Sabbath allow their bodies, which are merely the animal nature, sufficient re- pose, while their immortal nature, which should be fed and refreshed, is com pelled to chase mp and down this worlds highway. How shameful to rob God of his day, when he allows men so much lawful acquisition, even of worldly na- ture, on the Sabbath, for, although men themselves are commanded to rest, the corn and the wheat and the grass grow just as rapidly on the Sabbath as on other days, so that while they sit in the sanctuary they are actually becoming richer in worldly things. While you are doing nothing your bonds and mortgages are all accommodating interest for your estate just as fast as on other days. Men hired by the month or year are receiv- ing just as much wages while quiet on the Sabbath as they are the hard work ing weekday. No, I say how unuttera- ply mean it is, when God is adding to your worldly estate on the Sabbath as cer- tainly as on other days, that any should not be satisfied with that, but attempt to seize additional secular advantage from the Lords day. Have you never noticed the curious fact that our world ly occupation frequently seems to be di- vided into sections of six days each?
 
 work given us to do in six days God makes just enough breaks in our contin- uous occupations to thrust in the Sab bath. If your have not before noticed, observe hereafter that when Saturday night comes there is almost always a good stopping place in your business All things secular and spiritual in prov idence and revelation seem to say, "Re- member the Sabbath day to keep 1t holy" When the six days of creation had passed, God stopped working. Not even a pure flower or a white cloud would he make, because it was the Sab bath, and, giving an example to all fu- ture times. he rested.
 Keep the Sabbath.
 He who breaks the Sabbath not more certainly robs God than robs himself Inevitably continuous dissertation of the sacred day ends either in bankruptcy or destroyed health. A great merchant said, Had it not been for the Sabbath have no doubt I should have been 6 maniac long ago" This remark was made in company of merchants, and one of them said: "That corresponds with the experience of my friend, a great importer. He often said, The Sab- bath is the best day of the week to plan been in an insane hospital, and will probably die there. ''
 Those also repeat the sin of Nebuchad- nezzar who in any way desecrate the Holy Scriptures. There are men who use the Word of God as an instrument of angry controversy. Bigots at heart and zealots, in the advocacy of their re- ligious peculiarities they meet other sects with the fury of a highwayman, thrusting them through and through with what they consider the sword of the Spirit. It is wonder to me that some men were not made with horns to hook with and hoofs to kick with and with , claws to grab with. What Christ said to rash Peter, when he struck off the ear of Malchus, he says to every controver- sialist, Put up again thy sword into its place, for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword"
 Rev. William Jay met countryman who said to him; ''I was extremely alarmed this morning, sir It was very foggy and was going down to lonely place, and I thought saw strange monster. It seemed in motion, but could not discern its form. I did not like to turn back, but my heart beat, and the more looked the more I was afraid. But as I approached saw it was a man, and who do you think it was?" "I know not. t." "Oh, it was my brother John" Then Mr. Jay remarked, "It was early in the morning and very foggy, and how often do we thus mis- take our Christian brethren"
 Just in proportion as men are wrong will they be boisterous in their religious contentious. The lamb of religion is al- ways gentle, while there is no lion so fierce as the roaring lion that goes about seeking whom he may devour. Let lzI- | AL. a