Sabbath—The Day of Delight
405
Make Friday the Preparation Day—On Friday let the prepa-
ration for the Sabbath be completed. See that all the clothing is in
readiness, and that all the cooking is done. Let the boots be blacked,
and the baths be taken. It is possible to do this. If you make it a
rule, you can do it. The Sabbath is not to be given to the repairing of
garments, to the cooking of food, to pleasure seeking, or to any other
worldly employment. Before the setting of the sun, let all secular work
be laid aside, and all secular papers be put out of sight. Parents, explain
your work and its purpose to your children, and let them share in your
preparation to keep the Sabbath according to the commandment
In many families [on Sabbath] boots and shoes are blacked and
brushed, and stitches are taken, all because these little odds and ends
were not done on Friday. They did not “remember the Sabbath day to
keep it holy.” ...
On Friday the clothing of the children is to be looked after. During
the week they should be all laid out by their own hands under the
direction of the mother, so that they can dress quietly, without any
confusion or rushing about and hasty speeches
There is another work that should receive attention on the prepara-
tion day. On this day all differences between brethren, whether in the
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family or in the church, should be put away
The Sabbath Opens With the Family at Worship—Before the
setting of the sun, let the members of the family assemble to read
God’s Word, to sing and pray. There is need of reform here, for many
have been remiss. We need to confess to God and to one another. We
should begin anew to make special arrangements that every member
of the family may be prepared to honor the day which God has blessed
and sanctified
Sabbath Hours Not Ours but God’s—God has given us the
whole of six days in which to do our work, and has reserved only
one to Himself. This should be a day of blessing to us—a day when
we should lay aside all our secular matters and center our thoughts
upon God and heaven
4
Testimonies For The Church 6:355, 356
.
5
Manuscript 57, 1897
.
6
Testimonies For The Church 6:356
.
7
Testimonies For The Church 6:356, 357
.
8
Manuscript 3, 1879
.