The Monitor-register., 1897-02-19
The Holy Day.

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. 1t 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 off on other
days, alights upon the earth, and the
song of heavenly choirs and the hosan-
ma 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!
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 future
But to many the Sabbath comes only
as day for neighborhood visiting, field
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 I say that to tens of thousands
there is no distinction between the Sab
bath and the weekdays except that on
the Lords day they do not work, while
they eat more largely and dissipate more
thoroughly. Sabbath breakers are like
hunters who should compel their hounds
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
PEELED to chase up and down this worlds
highway. How shameful to rob God Of
his day, when he allows men so much
lawful acquisition, even of worldly ma
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 accumulating interest for your
estate jNst as fast as on other days. Men
ing just as much wages while quiet on
the Sabbath as they are the hard work
ing weekday. No, say how unuttera-
bly, mean it is, when God is adding to
your worldly estate on the Sabbath as GER
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
Iy occupation frequently seems to be di-
vided into sections of six days each?
Every week we have just enough
work given US to do in six days. God
makes just enough breaks in our contin-
nous occupations to thrust in the Sab
bath. If your have not before noticed,
observe hereafter that when Saturday
night comes there is almost always q
good stopping place in your business.
All things secular and spiritual in prov
fdence and revelation seem to say, "Re-
member the Sabbath day to keep it
holy" When the six days of creation
had passed, God stopped working. Not
even 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 desscration of
the sacred day ends either in bankruptcy
or destroyed health. A great merchant
said, ''Had it not been for the Sabbath
I have no doubt 1 should have been
maniac long ago." This remark was
made in a company of merchants, and
| one of them said; 'fThat corresponds
with the experience of my friend,
great importer. He often said, THE Sab
bath is the best day of the week to plan
successful voyages He has for years
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 1t 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 inte
its place, for all they that take the
sword shall perish with the sword -
Rev. William Jay met countryman
who said to him: 81 was extremely
alarmed this morning sir. It was very
foggy and 1 was going down to lonely
place, and ] thought saw a strange
monster 1t seemed in motion, but !
could not discern its form. did not
like to turn back, but my heart beat,
and the more l looked the more J. was
afraid. But as I approached saw it
was man, and who do you think it
was?" 81 know not - "Oh, it was my
brother john Then Mr.. Jay remarked,
1T 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
Gibraltars belch their war flame on the
sea, and the Dardanelles darken the
Hellespont with the smoke of their bat
teries, but forever and ever let there be
good will among those who profess to
be subjects of the gospel of gentleness.
"Glory to God in the highest, and on
earth peace, good will to men,"
What an embarrassing thing to meet
in heaven if we have not settled our
controversies on earth. So give out for
all people of all religions to sing John
Fawcet's hymn, in short meter, coma
posed In l772, but just as appropriate
for 1897:
Blest be the tie that binds
Our hearts in Christian love.
The fellowship of kindred minds
Is like to that above.
From sorrow toll and pain
And sin we shall be free,
And perfect love and friendship reign