Another very important thing among the duties of the Sabbath, is the
cultivation of a right spirit with reference to it. We should "_count
it a delight_," Isa. lviii. 13. Can that man be called a Christian,
who counts it an irksome season? Is he spiritually minded to whom it
is an unwelcome interruption of his worldly business, who in the
avariciousness of his heart says "when will the Sabbath be gone that
we may set forth wheat?" Amos. viii. 5. Surely not. His temper is any
thing but in accordance with the sacredness of the Sabbath season. His
thoughts, his feelings are a direct violation of that law which says,
"Remember the Sabbath-day to keep it holy." To a real Christian,
however, the Sabbath is the most delightful season he enjoys on earth.
It is something like a heaven below; for the things of God and Christ
come then into direct contact with his holy soul. He is as eager for
the approach of this holy season, as a child is for his holiday.
Instead of it being too long for him, it is too short; and with joy
does he look forward to a Sabbath which shall never end, that which
remaineth for the people of God, Heb. iv. 9. Such a spirit ought ever
to be cultivated. In no other way can the Sabbath become a means of
grace to the soul. What will mere abstinence from labor do? It will
only contribute to the renovation of the corporeal system; which, it
is true, is one design of the institution. But this is a small part.
Shall we take care of the body, and not of the soul! Yet the soul
suffers unto death, if there be no care to cherish a right spirit with
reference to the day which is "the holy of the Lord." Our very
thoughts must be put under restraint, and the greatest care taken that
nothing of a worldly nature intrude into the mind.
This leads us to observe, that our conversation should have no
reference to worldly things, but should be upon such subjects as are
spiritual and tend to the furtherance of the soul in the divine life.
"Not speaking thine own words," Isa. lviii. 13. But, alas! we shall
enter the dwellings of some, and when the Sabbath approaches, we shall
not know it by any difference that we can discover in their
conversation. It is still upon subjects that have not the remotest
connection with the glory of God. Follow them to the place of public
worship, and up to the very threshhold of the door, their speech still
savors of this world. Follow them through the whole of the day--the
state of their crops, the currency of the country, the political
aspect of things, banks, bonds, mortgages; these are the themes upon
which they expatiate. These render them animated, and even eloquent.
"Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh." Reader,
thinkest thou that such persons can say in truth, "O how I love thy
law." That law says, Remember the Sabbath-day to keep it holy.
Thinkest thou that the love of God reigns in their hearts? This is the
love of God, that we keep his commandments. John. v. 3.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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