THE following extract from a book—The Lord’s Day**—published in the United States of America in 1885—more than half a century ago, is of interest in view of uninformed criticisms brought against the Free Presbyterian position in regard to certain phases of Sabbath observance:—
** The book referred to above was written by Prof. A. E. Waffle, Professor of Rhetoric and English Literature in Lewisburg University, Lewisburg, Pa., U.S.A. It was awarded a prize of 1,000 dollars (£200) by the American Sunday School Union. The extract is given verbatim with the exception that “Sabbath” is substituted for “Sunday” in a few places.—D.B.
“It may be that some Christian readers of this book will desire to know more specifically what they can do to promote the proper observance of the Lord’s day. The following suggestions are made in the hope that they may be of practical value to such inquirers. For the sake of a better classification I have divided these hints into two classes: first, those which relate to the things which Christians should not do on Sabbath, if they wish to promote its better observance; second, those relating to some positive duties which they must perform before this object will be accomplished. To one class I will give the name Negative Duties, and to the other, Positive Duties, of Christians in regard to The Lord’s Day and its better observance.
Negative Duties.
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Abstain not only from all labour for gain and all unnecessary work, but also from pleasure riding, worldly visiting, feasting and everything of the kind on the Sabbath. 2. Do not patronise any Sabbath-breaking institution, corporation or individual. Do not buy or read ‘Sunday’ newspapers. Do not ride on the horse cars or steam-cars on the Sabbath. 3. Do not receive at your house, on Sabbath, meat, ice*, milk or any other article of consumption, unless sickness or some other cause makes it absolutely necessary. 4. Do not allow your servants to buy anything for your family on the Sabbath. 5. Do not write and mail letters, go to the post-office or receive letters from carriers on Sabbath. 6. Do not go on ‘Sunday’ excursions, or allow anyone to go who is under your control. 7. Do not join the crowd who go to the seashore or to watering places to spend Sabbath. 8. Do not employ the barber, the cigar vendor or the boot-black on Sabbath. 9. Do not allow your children to play in the street on Sabbath, or to play noisily in the yard. 10. Do not belong to a corporation or own stock in a company which persistently violates the Sabbath.
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Our readers will understand that these references are to conditions existing in the U.S.A.
Sabbath, and their example would have a mighty influence in promoting its better observance. Many kinds of Sabbath-breaking are sustained by the patronage of professed Christians; other forms are allowed to go on because of their silent approval. They have it in their power to destroy much of it by steadily and faithfully refusing to have any share in it.
Positive Duties.
- Make the better observance of the Lord’s Day a subject of prayer in private and Christian assemblies. 2. Hold meetings to promote this object. 3. Let these meetings request pastors to preach on the subject at stated times or whenever they may see fit. Pastors should give more attention to the subject both in their private and public ministrations. 4. Introduce in assemblies, conferences, and associational meetings resolutions condemning current violations of the Sabbath, and urging Christians to be faithful in its observance. 5. Let churches discipline their members who openly violate the Sabbath. 6. Let Sabbath-schools be so conducted as to cultivate reverence for the day. 7. Parents and teachers should carefully instruct the young in regard to the proper observance of the Sabbath. 8. As a means of instruction and exhortation, circulate the tracts furnished by the various Sabbath associations. 9. Use your influence against opening reading rooms, museums, libraries, etc., on Sabbath. 10. If you are an employer and pay weekly wages, make Monday instead of Saturday your pay day. Urge others to do the same. 11. Promote the Saturday half-holiday movement by every means in your power. 12. Take note of any proposed violations of the Sabbath by railroads, steamboat companies or other corporations, and thwart them by petitions or by appeals to the law. 13. Enforce the law on all persistent Sabbath-breakers. 14. Watch against the repeal of any but unwise Sabbath laws, and be ready to circulate petitions to your legislative. 15. Circulate petitions to Congress for the abolition of the ‘Sunday’ mails. 16. Give all in your employ, household servants as well as others, the greatest possible immunity from Sabbath labour. 17. Make a thoroughly religious use of the Lord’s Day yourself, attending religious services and engaging in religious reading and meditation, and in the exercise of family religion.”
It is said that “eternal vigilance is the price of liberty.” We shall find that it is also the price of our Sabbath.