The herald., 1897-02-22
ST. JOHNS
The Observance Of the Sabbath-Consclence
the Judge


| At st. Johns church the Rev. B. w. R.
Tayler preached to a large congrega-
tion from the text, 1.-The Sabbath was
made for man, not man for the Sab
bath" He said in part: There are
few subjects which have been more fire.
quently discussed in controversy than
the observance of the Lords day, and
after all, there are few subjects on which
there is less actual knowledge among
the mass of church-goers than the rea-
sons for the observances of one day in
seven as a day set apart for rest and
spiritual refreshment. There are SO
many diverse views and practices re-
garding this day that an investigation,
both scriptural and historical, will not
be amiss.
MANY persons have asked, recently,
whether they could, consistently, with
their Christianity, take part in the So
cial engagements and entertainments
which are growing more and more fire.
quent and popular, given on the day
called Sunday. Does the Bible or the
church utter any prohibition regarding
it, or in the absence of strict prohibition,
is there any reason to believe that there
is any violation of the principle of the
observance of the Lords day by Chris
IldHS III SOCldl lQlSllOl4o
held on that day. and what is the ulti-
mate tendency and influence on the life
of the nation? These questions cannot
be answered without going deeply into
the question and trying with the Holy
Spirits guidance to find out what is the
Christian obligation"
The speaker then touched on the origin
of the religious observance of one day IN
seven, as a day differentiated from the
other six.
1t was shown how it was a divine in
stitution given to Moses, and obligatory
upon even the stranger within the gates
of the IsreaiteS.
-eAoo I!eql sYoIq sIdoed s!ql usQM
nant and dishonored the Sabbath, they
were carried into captivity. Here they
chose this day for their devotions.
The observance of the Sabbath made by
the Saviour was also touched upon by the
speaker. We find no evidence, was then
argued, that the Jewish Sabbath was
transferred to the Christian church. The
reason for the Christian observance of
Sunday lies in the essential difference
between Judaism and Christianity, the
former being religion of law the latter
essentially a religion of self offering.
The Christian Sunday is not a day of
worship by compulsion, but free Will
offering of Christian hearts to Almighty
God
Further was shown some of the causes
of the glaring laXity in the observance
of Sunday. The violators of the Lords
day are not so much the working people
as they are those people who, having
all the rest of the week at their disposal,
deliberately select the Lords day for
their social functions.
1t was argued that every one should
ask himself those questions, in regard
to attendance on such functions which
his heart and his conscience would an
swer, can it be done without marring
the peace of the Lords day? Can you
feel that strength has been received to
meet the temptations of the coming
week? Can you feel at night that the
Lords day has been we'll spent? Do
you want your son and your daughter
to do as you do, or as your father and
mother used to do-spend the Lords
day in prayer and glorious praise? An
swer in your own hearts these ques-
tions and dare to tell your conscience
that it lies! Tell your conscience that
it is better to hear secular words on
that day than to hear Draw near with
faith and take this holy sacrament to
your comfort" Every ones conscience
is his judge and tells him what TO do In
the absence of commandments. We can
not afford to rob ourselves of the spirit
ual refreshment which brings the per-
picked soul to its haven of rest. 1t is
no mere sentiment that the birds sings
more softly and the flowers bloom more
sweetly on the Lords day than on any
other. We should be careful how we
lay violent hands upon it. Surely Gods
children should be of one mind in this,
and say, This is the day the Lord hath
made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.
When we realize the joys and blessings
with which the day is laden we will un-
derstand that the Sabbath was made
for mans highest and best good, and not
man for the Sabbath