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Testimonies for the Church Volume 6
fore He said: “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.”
Exodus
20:8
.
All through the week we are to have the Sabbath in mind and
be making preparation to keep it according to the commandment.
We are not merely to observe the Sabbath as a legal matter. We
are to understand its spiritual bearing upon all the transactions of
life. All who regard the Sabbath as a sign between them and God,
showing that He is the God who sanctifies them, will represent the
principles of His government. They will bring into daily practice the
laws of His kingdom. Daily it will be their prayer that the sanctification
of the Sabbath may rest upon them. Every day they will have the
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companionship of Christ and will exemplify the perfection of His
character. Every day their light will shine forth to others in good
works.
In all that pertains to the success of God’s work, the very first
victories are to be won in the home life. Here the preparation for the
Sabbath must begin. Throughout the week let parents remember that
their home is to be a school in which their children shall be prepared
for the courts above. Let their words be right words. No words which
their children should not hear are to escape their lips. Let the spirit be
kept free from irritation. Parents, during the week live as in the sight
of a holy God, who has given you children to train for Him. Train
for Him the little church in your home, that on the Sabbath all may
be prepared to worship in the Lord’s sanctuary. Each morning and
evening present your children to God as His blood-bought heritage.
Teach them that it is their highest duty and privilege to love and serve
God.
Parents should be particular to make the worship of God an object
lesson for their children. Passages of Scripture should be more often on
their lips, especially those passages that prepare the heart for religious
service. The precious words might well be often repeated: “My soul,
wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from Him.”
Psalm
62:5
.
When the Sabbath is thus remembered, the temporal will not be
allowed to encroach upon the spiritual. No duty pertaining to the six
working days will be left for the Sabbath. During the week our energies
will not be so exhausted in temporal labor that on the day when the