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Counsels on Health
the Israelites in regard to the Sabbath. “Verily My Sabbaths ye shall
keep,” the Lord declared to them; “for it is a sign between Me and
you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am the Lord
that doth sanctify you. Ye shall keep the Sabbath therefore; for it is
holy unto you.... Six days may work be done; but in the seventh is the
Sabbath of rest, holy to the Lord: whosoever doeth any work in the
Sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death. Wherefore the children of
Israel shall keep the Sabbath, to observe the Sabbath throughout their
generations, for a perpetual covenant. It is a sign between Me and the
children of Israel forever.”
Exodus 31:13-17
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The Sabbath is ever the sign that distinguishes the obedient from
the disobedient. With masterly power Satan has worked to make null
and void the fourth commandment, that the sign of God may be lost
sight of. The Christian world have trodden underfoot the Sabbath of
the Lord and observe a sabbath instituted by the enemy. But God has
a people who are loyal to Him. His work is to be carried forward in
right lines. The people who bear His sign are to establish churches and
institutions as memorials to Him. These memorials, however humble
in appearance, will constantly bear witness against the false sabbath
instituted by Satan, and in favor of the Sabbath instituted by the Lord
in Eden, when the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God
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shouted for joy.
A spirit of irreverence and carelessness in the observance of the
Sabbath is liable to come into our sanitariums. Upon the men of
responsibility in the medical missionary work rests the duty of giving
instruction to physicians, nurses, and helpers in regard to the sanctity
of God’s holy day. Especially should every physician endeavor to set
a right example. The nature of his duties naturally leads him to feel
justified in doing on the Sabbath many things that he should refrain
from doing. So far as possible, he should so plan his work that he can
lay aside his ordinary duties.
The Suffering Never to Be Neglected
Often physicians and nurses are called upon during the Sabbath
to minister to the sick, and sometimes it is impossible for them to
take time for rest and for attending devotional services. The needs
of suffering humanity are never to be neglected. The Saviour by His