The Savannah morning news., 1901-02-11
REV. OsGOoD r. COOK ENDORSED
LAW AND ORDER MOVEMENT.
TWO SERMONS ON SUNDAY"
ITS ORIGIN, OBJECT. AND OBsERV-
ANCE HIS THEMES.

Effort on the Part or the Authori-
ties to END or Lessen IT."
THE Origin. Object and Observance of
the Sabbath" was discussed at Grace
Church yesterday by Rec. Osgood F. Cook.
The origin and object was the subject OF
his morning sermon, and the observance
of the Sabbath the theme of the nights
discourse. His texts were Exodus, xx:2:
For in six days the Lord made heaven
and earth the sea and all that in them
is, and rested the seventh day; wherefore,
the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and
hallowed it,"
And Isaiah lviii13-14: IF thou turn
away thy foot from the Sabbath from do
ing thy pleasure on Ny holy day: and
call the Sabbath a delight, the holy of
the Lord, honorab BILE; and shalt honor Him,
not doing thine own ways nor finding
thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine
own words:
Then shalt thou delight myself in the
Lord and l will cause thee to ride upon
the high places of the earth, and feed
thee with the heritage of Jacob, thy faith
er; for the mouth of the Lord hath spok-
en- it,"
particular Blessing" said Mr.. Cook,
was pronounced upon the Sabbath at its
institution and man was instructed that
his highest happiness depended upon its
proper observance. Whatever profanes or
pollutes the sanctity of the day, destroys
the blessing intended. That the day is
frequently fagrantly desecrated cannot be
doubted. Gods people do not seem to re-
alize the dangers and darkness of the sin
Yet its PROCLAMATION is in violation of the
law of God, of the church, of the state
and of nature.
THE origin of the Sa bbath is of God
who knows best the needs of man, for
whom it was instituted. 1t is Gods day
and the vioiator of Gods law concerning
il holds Him in contempt, robs Him of
that which rightfully belongs to Him, and
hence is practically an atheist. 1t is
binding upon men on this account. If
this is not impressed upon the hearts and
conscience of man, it is vain to seek its
proper observance from the necessity of
nature by civil enactment or by the in
fiuence of its benevolent purposes
1T was instituted at creation being
only one day younger than the world
This was before Mosaic law. hence is
primeval important and binding upon all
men everywhere
AT Sinai it was written in the decalogue
on tablets of stone by the hand of God
Being moral law, it could not be tenn
norary nor confined to any special nation.
If the Fourth Commandment is not bind
ang then none Will hold good.
1t has never been repealed, but was
conhrmed by Christ. who came to fulfil
ana not TO destroy, in word and example
Retaining its full authority it was silent
Hy transferred from the seventh day to
the frst, never changing in principle in
purpose. in spirit; the motive for its OBJ
seryence accumulated strength I'm the
change.
IL was instituted for man, specially pro-
Vlding for rest and sanctity. 1t provided
much needed physical rest 1t has been
demonstrated by hygienic law that the
nights rest is insufficient for mans need
IL provided mental rest, without which
man would sink into moral degeneraey
because tired, spent brain leads to en-
teeoled moral purpose and relaxed will
While a recuperated body and mind re-
anlrms The force of mind and strength of
character. Spiritual rest and happiness
was It's highest purpose being an emphat-
&c reminder of God and eternity. 1t is
the great conservative OF good and the
principal barrier against evil
The Sabbath must be observed accord
ing to Gods law negatively, by doing
no work. Food must be provided before
hand for the Sabbath as far. as possible
The Israeites We're instructed to eatbe,.
the mamma the day before any that
which was secured was blessed of God
never being offensive The man who
works on Sunday. will in the long run
mo 1t profitless business, for what
doth it profit a man if he gain the whole
world, and lose his own soul?' The Sab
bath violator in this respect is very ant
10 XIII MS body or his mind, and If he
persists in his evil course he will GER
talnly destroy his soul. The OK i'm the
dltch' excuse will not always suffice
because If the same OK falls into the
same ditch every Sunday the ditch can
De hlled up or the OK be sold
There must be no buying and selling
IN our city there is constant violation
OF tnls clVlne law. and even of our civil
law, seemingly without much effort on
the part of the authorities to end or
lessen It, The organization of a law
ana order league is approved and its
success desired. Mans greed for gain
leads him to the denial of che blessino,s
OF God in the Sabbath opportunities and
privileges The love of money leads man
70 decided indifference toward the
hlehest and best interests of his life
Ihere must be no indulgence in worldly
treasure The text in Isaiah conditions
spiritual JOY upon the failure to spend the
sabbath in personal pleasure ACCORDING ~
one own thoughts and notions
positively. the day must be kent holy
Goa sanctihed 1t specially to the purpose
OF soul culture. Being a guardian Of
every Christian institution and privilege.
1t should be used in prayer. Scrint,1re
reading and meditation, worship. instruc-
ton in Christian truth and in works Of
mercy. Christ spent His Sabbaths in this
way. II any man consider that a dulI
way in which to spend the dav. he is
IN need OF repentance; he would find
heaven dun place IN which to spend
eternity.
I'm this way the mind is wonderfully i'm
proved and the soul marvelously cultivat
ed. This is the greatest need of man.
The primary intention Of the Sabbath and
the sanctuary is to give man time and
rest from bodily toll and secular care.
that the interests of his immortal soul
might be furthered. 1t furnishes the
greatest opportunity the world has ever
known for the highest and nobest devel-
opment.
If the sanctuary is neglected the Sab