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Preparing for the Holy Day, January 28
Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.
Exodus 20:8
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At the very beginning of the fourth commandment the Lord said,
“Remember.” He knew that amid the multitude of cares and perplexities
man would be tempted to excuse himself from meeting the full require-
ment of the law, or would forget its sacred importance. Therefore He
said: “Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.”
All through the week we are to have the Sabbath in mind and be
making preparation to keep it according to the commandment....
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
Lord rested and was refreshed we shall be too weary to engage in His
service....
On Friday let the preparation for the Sabbath be completed. See that
all the clothing is in readiness and that all the cooking is done.... 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.
There is another work that should receive attention on the preparation
day. On this day all differences between brethren, whether in the family
or in the church, should be put away. Let all bitterness and wrath and
malice be expelled from the soul. In a humble spirit, “confess your
faults one to another, and pray one for another.”
Before the setting of the sun let the members of the family assemble
to read God’s Word, to sing and pray.
We should jealously guard the edges of the Sabbath. Remember that
every moment is consecrated, holy time.
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