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Happiest Day of the Week, January 30
If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy
pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy
of the Lord, honourable; and shalt honour him, not doing thine
own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own
words: then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord.
Isaiah 58:13, 14
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God’s love has set a limit to the demands of toil. Over the Sabbath
He places His merciful hand. In His own day He preserves for the
family opportunity for communion with Him, with nature, and with one
another.
The Sabbath and the family were alike instituted in Eden, and in
God’s purpose they are indissolubly linked together. On this day more
than on any other, it is possible for us to live the life of Eden. It was
God’s plan for the members of the family to be associated in work and
study, in worship and recreation.
God’s holy rest day was made for man, and acts of mercy are in
perfect harmony with its intent.
To relieve the afflicted, to comfort the sorrowing, is a labor of love
that does honor to God’s holy day.
Since the Sabbath is the memorial of creative power, it is the day
above all others when we should acquaint ourselves with God through
His works.
During a portion of the day, all should have an opportunity to be out
of doors. How can children receive a more correct knowledge of God ...
than in spending a portion of their time out of doors, not in play, but in
company with their parents? Let their young minds be associated with
God in the beautiful scenery of nature.... As they view the beautiful
things which He has created for the happiness of man, they will be led
to regard Him as a tender, loving Father.... As the character of God
puts on the aspect of love, benevolence, beauty, and attraction, they are
drawn to love Him.
The Sabbath—oh!—make it the sweetest, the most blessed day of
the whole week.
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