(From Casket of Odds and Ends.)
NOT long since, on hearing it related that a certain minister was accustomed, in the stated exercises of the sanctuary, to pray for those able to labour hard through the week, but too ill to attend public worship on the Sabbath, our attention was especially directed to this suffering class of our fellow-beings; and as the disease is far more prevalent than is generally imagined, and it is
thought to be contagious—as whole families usually have it when the head is materially affected—and frightfully dangerous, it seems but an act of humanity to give the alarm.
The seat of the disease is said to be the heart, and through that organ the head and other parts of the system become affected. It is not, however, an enlargement of the heart, but rather an extreme contraction of that organ. Moreover, it is found that persons who naturally have small hearts are predisposed to the disease, and on such remedial agents have less effect. Like other internal diseases, its approaches are insidious and stealthy; and although the subject constantly bears with him the elements of the malady, which may be seen by the careful observer, yet, as the symptoms are remittent, and only develop themselves strongly on the return of the Sabbath, the patient has little or no apprehension of evil from his seventh-day ague.
But his apathy increases his danger. The most intelligent authors who have written upon it are all agreed that, without a remedy applied, it invariably terminates in death; and, what may seem singular, it is said that on the dawn of a future Sabbath, of which the present is only a figure or prélude, each and all of these subjects of Sabbath sickness will be found incurably sick—the whole head sick and the whole heart faint—and totally unfit for the services of the true tabernacle; and on that memorable Sabbath they will all die.
The premonitory symptoms of this disease are, during the week, inordinate love of the world, extreme devotion to the pursuit of its honours, its pleasures, and its profits, accompanied with a disrelish for secret prayer or pious meditation, and an apprehension of the want of time for reading the Scriptures and for family devotion. As the Sabbath morning dawns, the subject manifests great lassitude and debility, sighs, groans, complains of divers pains, becomes nervous, dreads especially a little rain, and rises late.
If the attack is light, the weather fair, and all things favourable, he drags himself to the house of worship. But here the symptoms of Sabbath sickness in its mildest forms are often seen. The subject is seen to seat himself or herself in a convenient place, say in the corner of a pew, as he or she feels the premonitory symptoms coming on. The eyes look heavy, the eyelids drop, the muscles of the neck give way, his respiration appears asthmatic, and he drops into a death-like stupor. Towards the close of worship the patient gives signs of life, gradually raises the head, and the red forehead and blinding eyes, as they gradually salute the light, plainly say that animal life is not extinct. By the time the benediction is pronounced the paroxysm appears over, the subject has the hat or parasol ready, and, with a countenance bright and beaming, starts for home, rejoicing in the prospect of six more happy days before the return of the day of evil.
But if the Sabbath morning attack be severe, the sufferer is far too ill to attend church, and lounges away the whole forenoon.
In the afternoon the symptoms abate, and the person is often seen in the fields. As the evening comes on, he appears quite well. The plans of operation for the coming week are all made.
But the worst form in which this disease manifests itself is that in which it so affects the head as to derange the judgment. The heart at first dreads the prescribed duties of the Sabbath, until, through sympathy, the judgment is perverted, and the subject is left to say, and half believe, that there are no duties peculiar to the Sabbath.
But there is a remedy for this widespread, contagious epidemic. Let the sufferer take daily a proper dose of godly sorrow, combined with self-denial, mixed with precious faith, and exercise himself unto godliness; and in severe cases double the dose, and take it, fasting, on Sabbath morning, and the cure is sure. The seventh-day ague will disappear, and the Sabbath dread no more trouble the poor invalid. The Sabbath will become his delight, and his duties his meat and his drink. And soon, very soon, for ever cured of Sabbath sickness, he shall enjoy that Sabbath of rest which remains to the people of God.