The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1904-02-12
EPWoRTH LEAGUE.
Feb. Fl: ssUaing the sabbath.'-Mark
1, 21-34,

1, 21-34.
The sentiment with which the Sab
bath is regarded depends largely upon
early training and association. One
who in the quiet of country or village
life was early taught to avoid all I'M
necessary labor and noise, to attend
church and spend the rest of the day
in reading or some neighborly calling
on sick and needy ones will never be.
come completely accustomed to the
noise and activity of the metropolitan
centers, where many things go on as
during all other days.
Though the rigid rules of the Jew
ish Pharisees and of the sterner type
of New England Puritans of former
days may not be desirable at the pres
ent time, the utter laXity so widely
prevalent is much worse than that.
| 1t is not good for body or mind or
soul to work without intermission. 1t
has been repeatedly demonstrated that
even machines must have their periods
of rest or deteriorate. One day in sew
en- for physical rest has been found by
ages of trial of all possible schemes to
be the best interval. How this was
| first found out we cannot tell with GER
| tainty. Among the ancient Babyloni-
ans it was surely common. The He
brews earl. placed the seventh day
rest in their laws and in later ages it
! has prevailed among Christians every
where
The most needful use of the rest TING
is for the soul life rather than for the
body. 1t is this fact which makes Sab
bath recreations and excursions most
| harmful. They are usually INDUCED in
under the plea of hard work during the
week time and the need of a change
on the Sunday. The usual result of
such efforts is greater fatigue on Mon
! day and less of fitness for work than
usual. The unusual exertion and ex-
element of excursions and visiting and
such like diversions tax the body and
mind excessively and often require
! several days to restore the balance.
| The efforts are exhausting instead of
restful. The effect on the moral nature
is still worse. The spirit Of reverence
is violated; sober thinking on spiritual
concerns is dissipated; the spirit of
frivolity ana worldlness. if not some
thing worse. is invited.
Tho example of Jesus must ever
sand before us as authoritative. He
had no sympathy with overrigid OBJ
servance or The day and 10 allowance
for s;inrtimenious fanaticism, but His
custom was to take part in the syna-
interested in seeking spiritual advance
ment and 10 help the poor and sick,
What Il Salbath was that described in
the Scripture lesson for this week! 1t
viii wen repay close study.
We need TO meet Gods people. we
need The solemn influence of the sane
tua"y worship. There is restfulness to
he,T and soul in the hymns, the
prayers. the meditation. New insight
into Gods trust and will for us, broader
views and more hopeful outlook come
TO us in the sermon and Bible reading
Companionship and interest in welfare
of, others are stimulated by meeting
with the people in worship Our part in
the work of church and community and
world comes home more forcibly. and
higher resolves are formed God truly
meets us, and holy spirit helps us
more sensibly than ut other times and
places.
The day should lave some quiet in
tervals for meditation alone, for pri-
vate prayer and heart examination.
If well used. the Sabbath becomes a
delight and blesses all the other six.