The Newtown bee., 1898-06-03

10 AccOmm0uaGe C0e pleasure seekers.
We can not expect those who do not
acknowledge Gods authority to observe
the Sabbath, il we who profess to love
and obey him, by ministeriDg to our lit
tie conveniences, wants and pleasures,
give them an example of Indifference to
the eanctity of the Sabbath. Ii Chris.
tians are unwilling to deny themselves lit
tie Qualifications; or put them selves out
little to prepare to sanctify the Sabbath,
| to forego some pleasure to fully .ooserve
the Sabbath, how can they lament that
the worldly people disregard the day,
making Ii day for hunting, fishing, ball
games, pleasure seeking, etc. While we
often hear the lament that the incoming
of foreigners is robbing US of our Sab
baths there is perhaps a little truth in
this. But the main source for the desc
Grafton of the Sabbath lies with the
Christians, who claim the privilege to
indulge their convenience, and pleasure,
thus giving the example in little things.
Can 1t be any worse for the worldly, to
buy COWS, horses, farms, than for Chris
tians to buy milk, meat, Sunday papers
All are business transactions, the only
difference is in the size of the bargain,
which is nothing in the eyes of the Lord.
Is it any worse for companie to run
their cars, or boats on the Sabbath, COM
polling their men to work seven days
week, than for Christians to patronize
these cars, thus helping deprive the men
OF their Sabbath's rest, and enabling the
company make more money? Christians
need to awake to the terrible incOnsis-
| tency of mourning over the loss of the
sacredness of the Sabbath, while they
encourage Sunday sffic, Sunday pleas
ure, ETC., by their example. Let Chris
tians remember the Sabbath day to keep
| it holy, then their example will tell for
good.
What is our Christianity worth, if we
are unwilling to deny ourselves, to put
| ourselves to little inconvenience, or
trouble, to uphold it's principles? Mark
| the language in the 58th of Isaiah, that
| sum of the New Testament teaching on
the observance of the Sabbath, ''If thou
| turn away thy foot from the Sabbath,
from doing thy pleasure on my holy day."
That is, nothing must be done that puts
contempt on the Sabbath, or looks like
having mean thoughts of it. We must
turn our feet from tramplirg on it, as the
profane or atheisticsl people do, living
without the restraint of conscience, in
dulging ourselves in the pleasures of
| sense, doing our own ways, seeking
pleasures In the selfish interests, profits,
and sports of this world, and the recrea-
ton of our earnal natures, claiming to
ourselves the privilege to think and
speak as on other days. For il we do
these things, how can we find fault with
those who go to their stores, their
factories, who fish, hunt, play ball, ETC.,
their own ways, as we give them ex-
| ample for doing? The Sabbath was
given to man to accomplish high, noble
purpose for the race, to elevate and in
tepsify the spiritual life, to bring our
souls into closer and fuller relations
with our God, to lift CUR minds from the
carnsl, to the spiritual sphere. For if
| we rightly observe the Sabbath we must
choose the things that please God,
recognize His sovereignty; and let our
minds and thoughts dwell on His love
revealed in Jesus Christ, His grace and
favor shown in our daily mercies and
blessings with the many gospel privileges
we enjoy. For in proportion
AS WE ARE SPIRITUALLY MINDED,
we shall hallow, honor, and delight in
| the Sabbath of our God.
Then we shall be most careful to lay
aside all, and every employment or
pleasure, that would in any way inter-
rupt or hinder our sacred erjoyment of
the sweet and halIowed Influences of
Gods holy dav. This true Spirituality
Of life will cause as to be most watchful
over our example, lest we may destroy
some for whom Christ died. It will also
make us careful OF our requirements of
others, lest we cause them to forego their
Sabbath privilege and blessing. Now Ii
may be asked how shall we promote this
true Sabbath observance? First, by
conscientiously ordering our lives ac-