Evening star., 1909-04-17
Christian Endeavor Hour.

Conducted by Grace Livingston Hill Lutz
Topic: Why We Observe the Lords Day"
Mark. wi = ID: Acts. wv, Corinthians.
Nvi !: =: Revelation. /: TO-
One seventh of time was set apart as a
resting time when the world was made
There was a reason for it. just as there
was a reason for every other law God
made. Men have been trying TO set 1t
aside ever since but have always found
when they did 50 that they lost In the
end. Probably when we reach the other
life and are able to look on things as
God sees them we shall understand all
these laws. At present 1t ought TO he
enough for us that God has made the
laws, even if we do not see why they
should be kept
Gradually man is beginning to UNDER
stand tina! he is the gamer i'm the end
when he keeps Gods laws. even though
he does not understand why. only when
science steps in and declares thus and
thus is so do some men believe. And
science has stepped in and set the seal
of truth upon the Scripture law of the
Sabbath. 1t has been found that A nights
sleep restores only five-siXths of the waste
of the days work upon the body. and so
at the end of the week we are SiN-siXthS
behind and actually need the rest and
change of the Sabbath to bring us M 10
what our normal strength should he
Why this is so we cannot understand hut
that Il is so We al last sure. God
intended il. perhaps. 50 that we should
come TO know our need of Him. and turn.
to Him for rest.
Not only man. but animals and even
machinery, needs this rest, science now
says. A man stopped one Saturday nj -ht
at hotel i'm Pennsylvania and was asked
the next morning il he intended IL go on
his way al once. No" he replied .'be.-
cause ] am on a long journey and sll
TO perform IL as soon as | can. | have
long been accustomed to travel on horse
back. and have found that ii stop on
the Sabbath my horse will travel faster
during the week than if ] do not
: 1t is the opinion of many Of our great
est physicians and scientists that men
and animals can do more good work in
six days than they can in seven and
that the men who have paralysis ard
break down are those who carry home
their books and business letters for Sun
day.
y hen Christ lived on the earth He was
always trying to impress His disciples
with the true meaning OF the Sabbath:
that Ii was not merely an outward form
of ceas'ng TO work. OF observing certain
rules and abstaining from certain things.
but that IL was meant to be heart rest. a
day OF soul communion with God Men
have taken His words. THE Sabbath was
made for man.. and tortured them into
a license for Sunday excursions. Sunday
- -.
They think If the Sabbath is theirs they
have right to break it. and they show
by their every action that they do not
Know the real meaning use of the
Sabbath at all. Ii was made for man.
yes. but for his uplifting not his mere
selfish pleasure. for his growth and prep-
aratlon for the heavenly home which he
may one day inherit.
Hints to the Leader.
The Endeavor Hymnal-9. II, 16. 20. Al.
53
This topic is intended to be warning
and help to these who are drifting into
careless ways of spending the Sabbath
and forgetting its true meaning 1t is in
your hands TO make this solemn and
helpful meeting. Take your responsible
ity 10 God in prayer for help. Speak of
the meaning of the Sabbath and the rea-
son for the law OF rest. Speak of true
soul rest. and why Christians should be
especially careful about its observance.
Remark tie de eriora ion of countries
where The Sabbath is more OF holiday
than holy day. Call attention to laxity
in Sabbath observance and any way in
which Christians can help To make ana
enforce Sabbath laws. Have some one
;cuch on Sabbath conversation, another
en- Sabbath visiting. pleasuring. reading.
travelling, etc. Emphasize that il was
meant not TO be a day of solemn. irksome
horror but a day of delight in the
Lord. God especially wants us 10 be
happy, yet happy lin Him." Try TO
show that this is entirely possible with
out any of tie worlds ways Of being
happy. If we truly a.e His own.
Return. my soul. unto thy rest.
From vain pursuits and maddsnins ca.es,
From lonely that wiring thy breast.
The worlds ailurements snares
God Is Thy rest-with heart iEclin d
To keep His Word. that Word believe;
Christ is Thy rcst-with lowly mind
His light and easy yoke receive
James Montgomery.
To teach the soul its nobler worth this rest fr
mortal toll is given:
Go snatch the brief rrprie,e from earth and
pass--a guest to heaven
Six days may rank divide the poor, oh. Dives
from thy banquet hall:
The seventh the Father opes the door and holds
His feast for al,
SIR Edward Buiwcr LJttoa-