Importance of the Sabbath
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judgment, and flatter ourselves that God will come to our terms. God
tests our faith by giving us some part to act in connection with his
interposition in our behalf. To those who comply with the conditions,
his promises will be fulfilled; but all that venture to depart from his
instructions, to follow a way of their own choosing, will perish with
the wicked when his judgments are visited upon the earth.
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.
God brought his people Israel from Egypt that they might keep his
Sabbath, and he gave them special directions how to keep it. The ten
precepts spoken by his own voice from Sinai, and the instructions given
to Moses, were recorded for the benefit of all who should live upon
the earth, to the close of time. God has given man six days for labor,
but he has reserved the seventh to himself, and he has pronounced a
blessing upon those who keep it holy. The day before the Sabbath is
to be made a day of preparation, that everything may be in readiness
for its sacred hours. “Bake that which ye will bake today, and seethe
that ye will seethe.” “Tomorrow is the rest of the holy Sabbath unto
the Lord.” Divine mercy has directed that the sick and suffering should
be cared for; the labor required to make them comfortable is a work
of necessity, and no violation of the Sabbath. But all unnecessary
work should be avoided. Many carelessly put off till the beginning
of the Sabbath little things that should have been done on the day of
preparation. This should not be. Any work that is neglected until the
commencement of holy time should remain undone until the Sabbath
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is past.
The words and thoughts should be guarded. Those who discuss
business matters and lay plans on the Sabbath, are regarded of God
as though they engaged in the actual transaction of business. To keep
the Sabbath holy, we should not even allow our minds to dwell upon
things of a worldly character.