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Counsels for the Church
branches of study, but are taught to do various kinds of work; and here
the children of professed commandment-keepers have been sent upon
the Sabbath. Some parents have tried to justify their course by quoting
the words of Christ, that it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath day. But
the same reasoning would prove that men may labor on the Sabbath
because they must earn bread for their children; and there is no limit,
no boundary line, to show what should and what should not be done.
Our brethren cannot expect the approval of God while they place
their children where it is impossible for them to obey the fourth com-
mandment. They should endeavor to make some arrangement with the
authorities whereby the children shall be excused from attendance at
school upon the seventh day. If this fails, then their duty is plain, to
obey God’s requirements at whatever cost.
Some will urge that the Lord is not so particular in his requirements;
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that it is not their duty to keep the Sabbath strictly at so great loss, or
to place themselves where they will be brought in conflict with the
laws of the land. But here is just where the test is coming, whether
we will honor the law of God above the requirements of men. This is
what will distinguish between those who honor God and those who
dishonor him. Here is where we are to prove our loyalty. The history
of God’s dealings with his people in all ages shows that he demands
exact obedience.
If parents allow their children to receive an education with the
world, and make the Sabbath a common day, then the seal of God
cannot be placed upon them. They will be destroyed with the world;
and will not their blood rest upon the parents? But if we faithfully
teach our children God’s commandments, bring them into subjection
to parental authority, and then by faith and prayer commit them to
God, he will work with our efforts; for he has promised it. And when
the overflowing scourge shall pass through the land, they with us may
be hidden in the secret of the Lord’s pavilion
A Day of Rest From Worldly Pursuits
It is the grossest presumption for mortal man to venture upon
a compromise with the Almighty in order to secure his own petty,
temporal interests. It is as ruthless a violation of the law to occasionally
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Historical Sketches of the Foreign Missions of the Seventh-day Adventists, 215-217