Christian Nation Vol. 18 1893 - Rparchives.org

Mar. 29,1893A FAMILY PAPER.by m vain, fpr the loved face of a father. Doesit for an instant doubt the father love, or thewelcome it will receive when it reaches home?So turns the heart of Jou to his heavenly Father."Oh that I knew where I might find him: thatI might come even to his seat.III. Job in imagination before God. Heis conscious of his own innocence: this giveshim confidence in the face of the scorn of hisfriends. He pictures himself as having Godfor his judge, certain that he would be vindicated.We do not need to worry over theopinion of men when we know we are rightwith God; for the finalresult is certain. "Willhe plead against me with his great power?No! but he would put strength in me."IV. Job's rust in God. While he seeks in vainfor God, from the east to west, from the northto the south, yet he rests in the assurance rhat" He knoweth the way that I take." While wemay seem far from God, he is watching overus. This is the comfort of the believer and thedread of the sinner. Does it give you joy orfear to feel that God knows all your ways?" When he hath tried me 1 shall come forth asgold." This is the purpose of all the sufferingof God's people. The gold in the ring on yourfinger went through a fiery trial before it wasworthy of the position it how fills; a woodenbowl is soon made, but a golden bowl must beburned and beaten and carved and polished.Which is most valuable? We do not want topray God to deliver us from trial, but to teachus how to receive it that we may come forthpure as gold, free from the dross of the world,fit to shine in His temple above.The effect of a careful study of this lessonmust be to impress one with a sense of the necessity,the comfort, the delight of having sucha knowledge of God and trust in God as Jobhad.PRAYERMEETING TOPIC.Commandment. Works of meroy are also excepted.Matt. 12 : 11. We should be careful, however, not towiden too much this category of works of necessityand mercy.What about the degree and prevalence of Sabbathdesecration? It is much and wide spread. England,Scotland and the United States are among the nationsin which the Sabbath is best observed, and yet theyare far from correct in their Sabbatn habits. Howlittle the day is known, respected and observed in theworld as a whole! How much Sabbath desecrationthere is in ourown land! Therailroad train, permittedby the government, roars and shrieks along the high­Eev. T. H. Aoheson.way of traflSc. Excursions by rail and river movePrayermeeting topic for Wednesday, April 5, 1893,along with godless laughter and song. The governmentsends its mails. The n< wspaper prowls aboutSabbath Profanation. " What evil thing is this thatye do. and profane the Sabbath day?" JNeh. 13 ; 17.the streets to invade and degrade the home. The1. What is the profanation of the Sabt)ath ?saloon opens its doors. There is much miuor, though2' The degree and prevalence of Sabbath desecrationin our day ?not on this account unimportant. Sabbath profanation ; all kinds of conversation, improper reading,3. Some injurious results of Sabbath desecration.driving, visiting, too much culinary worii in many4. What is our duty concerning t ^is profanation?homes. Even in places where better things might beParallel passages: Ex. 16:28 30; 20 : 8-11. Jer. 17:-orous idea of the Sabbath, as here expressed and illustrated,is given to us as a guide, for both ruler andpeople, concerning their relation to the Sabbath. Itdoes not appear that he was at all too severe in hisopinion of Sabbath keeping, or in his Sabbath enforcement.The contrary is distinctly Implied. But ourtopic is the general one of Sabbath profanation.What is profaning the Sabbath ? Working. " Init thou shall not do any work." Ex. 20:10. Gettingothers to work for us on that day is also profaning it."Nor . . thy manservant, nor thy maidservant."The members of a corporation whose employees workon the Sabbath, may every one rest on that day ; theowner of a Sanday newspaper may perform no item ofwork on the Sabbath, for his journal; the stock-holderin the Sabbath breaking railroad may sing tbe loudestof all in the sanctuary: yet all these men are desecratingGod's day. But, somewhat in detail, what aresome of the forms of Sabbath breaking ? Bearingburdens ; see-veiBe 19. Also Jer. 17: 31-22. Buyirigand selling ; see verses 15 16. Either one of theseacts implies cooperation with some one else to profanethe day. But is it not necessary to buy freshmeat on the Sabbath? No. Nehemiah here prohibitsthe sale cf flsh;verse 16. It is not necessary tobwy anything on the Sabbath. It is not necessary, inthis climate at least, to have meat delivered on theSabbatb. It is doubtful if it is proper even in warmerclimates, or in large cities, to have it brought to us.Is it necessary that we have meat at all on that day ifthe wheels of business must move to bring it to us ?It does not seem necessary that milk should be soldon the Sabbath. It is certainly right to profane itforlittle children, orany other whose health and lives maydepend upon it; but this does not justify its generalsale. "Yet a quiet carriage drive with one's familyon Sabbath afternoon, or a decorous friendly visit to think that no possible change can overtake us, thata neighbor's home, is all right, isn't it ? Is that such will rob us of either one or the other. No matter howa crime ? It would be Puritanic to condemn such frequently God may speak to us through His providentialdealings with others, we are»careless. Heisthings. There are many things far worse." Yes, toride on the Sunday train, or enter the Sunday saloons, the wisest man who places no dependence either inwould be worse, of course ; but do we not wish to himself or anything earthly and looks to the God ofharmonize wilh God's law in all particulars? Not the hills for all his aid. The "God of the Hills " tocustom, nor the world's jaunty opinion, but God's David was the God who had delivered him out of theWord is the true guide to Sabbath observance. To jaw of the lion and the paw of the bear, so he trustedhelp us understand the relation of the Sabbath tosuoh matters as visting, driving, secular reading andconversation, let us reverently open our Bibles andread Is. 58: 18 14.Necessary work is permitted on the Sabbath. Matt.12 : 5. Feeding our catUe, putting out the flames ofa burning building, preparing to go to the house ofGod, and similar work are no violation of the FourthNo one has done hia whole duty who has tried to sweepolean his own doorstep only. If we can improve theSabbath keeping iu our community, we are bound todo so. As parts of the home, of the community, ofthe church, and of the nation, let us do all we can forthese organizations, and all we properly can throughthem, in the matter of Sabbath keeping and reformation.of the fleryfurnace, and Daniel out of the lion's den,expected disappointing facts meet us. It is a sad21, 22; 17 : 27. Is. 58:13-14; 56: 2; 56: 6-7. Ezk. 20: 18;Peter from prison, and Paul from death by ship-wreck.thought that in the majority of profauedly Christian20 :15-16; 20 : 21; 20 : 23-24. Lev. 26 : 2. 2 King*Livingstone from the paw of tbe lion, and Moody fromhomes there is serious Sabbath bieaking.4 : 23. Amos, 8 : 5. Matt. 12 : 1-8 ; 12 : 9 13.an ocean grave. " The Lord's hand is not shortenedMany injurious results flow from violating the lawSuitable psalms : 5:48; 101: 3 6 ; 34:14-18 ; 17 :tbat it cannot save." It is still stretched out for theof the Sabb ith. lojury to the body is one. We can5-9; 42:3 5; 84:1-3.relief of His people in tbeir times of need. Thatbave better health and live longer if we keep properlyThe words from which our subject, "Sabbath Profanation,"is taken, are the stern interrogations ofNe­the heads of His people, how fearful in its crushinghand, how loving in its tenderness when it rests uponthis day. Failure to receive spiritual education isanother sad outcome. The Sabbath is a day for thehemiah, to the nobles of Judah, concerning certainweight when it rests upon the heads of their foes.cultivation, the uplifting, the broadening of the soul.Sabbath desecration, for which they would be in greatWell may we like the Psalmist even when liemmedThe young person of twenty-eight who has led ameasure responsible, and in which they also may havein by enemies, sing : " I laid me down and slept; Igodless life, has lost more than three full years ofbeen more or less directly engaged. Nehemiah's vig­waked ; theLord supported me." Some are delivered .Sabbaths since he became old enough to receive in­3. By the indwelling power of Christ. We havestruction. The wicked man of seventy years has many promises of our Lord's that not merely givewasted nearly ten full years of precious Sabbuth time. comfort, but inspire with courage. "Lo, I am withSabbath desecration, on the part of one well-taught, you alway." "Iwill never leave thee, nor forsakemeans a breaking down of the whole moral system. thee." "My grace shall be sufflcient for thee."He who breaks the Sabbath helps to drag others down. What need we more than this, to face the troubles ofSuch action is contagious. Sabbath desecration hindersthe work of the church. The Sabbath is the scorn of his enemies. If we know that we have truelife? If a man have iriends be need not care for thechurch's special day for reaching men. Blot out the wisdom, let others call us fools. If we know that weSabbath, and the chnrch may not stand. Sabbath are true to our profession, let others call us hypocriteri.Christ "is made unto us wisdom and right­desecration within the church is most pernicious.Moreover this evil weakens the nation, curses it. eousness, and sanctiflcation and redetoption." TheThe Sunday mail is a school of immorality. Does thegrea example. tide strict England Let them. government We ourselves work. What us of t should measure, habits Sabbath correct Do and is ; Don't all not our keep for of wish France you our duty desecration. patronize of Sabbath let their to habits, can own in ub are train day relation diflferent to be good observance, Sabbath get and carefully swept citizens If others ; endeavor to we attitude for morally, ofi' this have breakers the and in to let onr gigantic keep good such us to been prayerfullyfeet because the adhere the in of in a taught Sabbath. line? others. good evil? the'r day.to initation witb drive need. us shall with we done if have mp." the power ye us by If do, Spirit. lean to professed we tbat " from May because Come Christ trust hard power. on our unto in upon at high.'' I self go weakness trust. all me," " unto Him. Greater times What dishonor But my extended be for "Ye Father. wonders works He known th.^ shall Chnst will into strength than have be "^jer Be in us "Abide endued these whom been fllled fail and wec1L•^#^^•).)CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOR TOPIC.By the Eev. T. Holmes Walker.Authorized topic for week beginning April 9th, 1893.Our deliverer in time of trouble. Job 5 : 19-23. 2;Cor. 12 : 9 10.If we are in perfect health and surrounded with thecomforts that make life enjoyable, we are prone toin Him. In time of trouble how does God deliver us?It may not be in your way ; it certainly must be inHis way. We can see from the history of God's peoplethat he has delivered some :1. By teaching them right habits of life. How tokeep well is just as si nsible and urgent a question ashow to get well after one is sick. If we kuew the lawsof healtn as taught by Ohriht and his apostles therewould be fewer doctors and a still less need. Sicknessand pestilence are largely due to ignorance orneglect of the law of health. The moderate use offood, and that of the right kind, is the general law tobe followed with theeommon sense sanctifled throughthe Spirit. Over indulgence is always followed byinjury, whether we feel it now or not. Then, too, aman's habitual carefulness will keep him out oftrouble ; wili not permit him to do things that hewill afterwards regret. Right habits in life are theresult of right principles in the heart. Can anytrouble perplex a Daniel whose prayer habit isthe outgrowth of a principle; to do his best indoing right and leave the result with God. No manever regretted such a course. Let cholera come orfamine, or any trouble, the strongest man to escapefrom the trouble will be the man whose principleshave led him to eschew all immoderation and self-indulgence.God has also delivered some :2. By ihe direct intervention of Providence, Aswitness the escape of the three Hebrew children out