The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1897-03-30

it's p~erpetuity and be active in its de-
fence. they have a plain duty before
them; it is to faithfully, Christianity
observe the day. and thereby show
forth their appreciation OF its sane
tity and its blessedness to the believing
soul. 1t must be something more to
them than simply a day of bodily rest
rest from toll, from barter. from the
eternal clashings and enthrallings OF
trade and the change" To be active.
influential advocates for a seventh day
the Lords Day-the people must ex-
hibit in life-service that the day is
very precious to themselves. and Is to
be truly honored and most faithfully,
scrupulously observed as, it Ia been
called, the Pearl Of days" Some time
ago we cut out OF a northern newspa-
per the following concerning this day
we write about-God's own appointed
day. The preacher was unknown to US
Rev. S. C. Leonard. Speaking i'm
pressively and happily Of the Sabbath,
he aid
Its exalted joys must be among our
~AAN W. N.Y.
anticipated in our plans of life.
The day has proved itself worthy OF
affectionate regard. 1t has poured gol-
den sunlight into homes. 1t has driven
evil into hiding places. 1t has kept in
tellect astir by casting out great prob
lens into the world Of mind. 1t has
brought into contact with each other
large masses of our race. and the hon
ored truth by which alone they can be
substantially and permanently elevat-
ed. 1t has heen a beneficent factor in
the business life Of the world.
1t has been demonstrated to minister
to bodily health and vigOr. 1t has ex-
erted an invisible lifting power which
is above all estimate as 1t has aided
the spread of the gospel, and, with it,
the prevalence of pure and undef1led
religion. There is no fact which is his
torically more unquestionable thai
that the Sabbath was made for man.. "
Why then should it be ever abolished
so long as this world rolls? Why
should man, helpless and miserable
sire for a moment to see it
abandoned? Abide in the truth. Pre-
serve the Lords Day for fall
en man. ruined and lost, very greatly
needs it. This day is positively a
blessing and absolutely a necessity for
man. Make the day all it should be
a Christian Sabbath, indeed the Lords
Day. Do not burden it with unwise and
unnecessary restrictions but keep it
holy unto the Lord. We do not need
over here or desire over here a Sab
bath like that Of Europe. The vitaliz-
ING mower iS pOnp tO a great extent on
the continent" as it is called. We
must retain in all it's important essen
tails the power and observance of a
Christian Sabbath-a day of worship,
of prayer, Of meditation, Of religious
reading and conversation, without un-
necessary seventies and restraints. 1t
should not be a day Of secular traffic
nor of toll, nor Of social visiting nor of
going on excursions. God will not bless
any man in the day Of his extremity,
who deliberately, wilfully, d~efiantly.
persistently violates this law and sets
at naught His commands. Mr.. leonard
said farther, and it is every way ger
name:
ITO save our Sabbath for future
time, the young must be diligently
taught it's sanctions and value. Fami-
ly instruction and Sunday school in
structiOn nay be so connected as that
each will emphasize the other, and
both combine in giving honor to the
day.
The day will o o be in the keeping
Of those whD are now young. They
should be Eslped to receive the trust
with a feeling Of it's value, and with
clear thought of it's relations to the
great interests Of this life and the flu
ture life. This will form a basis for
laws guarding the day. Sabbath laws
are Of little force unless there is I'M
DERIVING and sustaining them a quick
ened public conscience which is in
tensely dissatisfied with Sabbath sec
ularization and profanation."
Wise words and most timely. The
Lords Day must be saved to this and
coming generations at any cost, at ev-
cry sacrifice. No man can afford to
dishonOr it, and woe be to him who de-
fies God and PUSHES in madness
against the bosses ~Jehovah's buckleT.'
Better for him never to have been
born. Guard we'll "the day which the
Lord made" Christian life Is really,
but a life of holiness, Of prayer. of