IT cannot be doubted that nations and kingdoms flourish or decay in accordance with the practice of piety, diligence, and temperance; or the prevalence of ungodliness, idleness, and intemperance. The Sabbath-day is an encouragement to the first, and a preventative of the last. So the observance or profanation of this holy day is like a barometer, shewing signs of the rise or fall of a nation. This is also applicable to particular persons. The Sabbath, like its Lord, is a rise or fall to many; there is neither rank, riches, learning, or talents, that can save the transgressors or the despisers of the fourth commandment from condemnation, while the humblest disciple that uses its privileges, is exalted to honour, immortality, and glory. The Sabbath is properly termed the queen of days; and we may say that faith, hope, and love, are her companions and servants. The gates of her palace are open; she invites all her subjects to her presence, and bountifully offers to satisfy all their wants. The Sabbath continues the same, though the ceremonial law has been abolished. Various comparisons in their greatest abundance cannot set forth the full value of the Sabbath to nations, churches, subjects or particular persons.
It is the memorial of the creation of the world, and the remembrance of the resurrection of Christ. It is the ordinance of our God, and the court-day of our King. It is the seal of the covenant, and sign of our profession,—the castle of the kingdom, the feast of the church, the shield of the commonwealth; it is an almoner to the poor, a refuge to the weary, a teacher to the child, a guardian to the youth, a comforter to the old, a touch-stone of obedience to the professor, a day of jubilee on earth, the fore-runner and shadow of heaven.
Attacks are made on the kingdom of darkness, from this strong-hold and castle, on the confines of the church. To surrender it would render the territory gained by the church militant, an irreclaimable wilderness. We ought, therefore, to defend it, as most valiant soldiers, who, when in possession of their strong-hold, will fight for every inch of the land, against those who attack them. If the truths of religion are valuable then the day for teaching them is important. If religion is good to bridle, her commandments to guide, her promises to support, then the Sabbath is of great value. If the public worship of God is to be supported, His Word to be read and preached, the sacraments to be administered, Sabbath schools to be maintained, then the Sabbath is very delightful and valuable. Let us bless God for this day, and pray more to Him that He may pour out His Holy Spirit to work powerfully, by the means we use on the Sabbath, till infidelity and irreligion are made to blush and put to flight.—Rev. John Elias of Anglesea.