Reformed Covenanter blog posts on the Sabbath

... The sanctification of the Sabbath day is the appointing of an holy day to the public worship of God: or else it is to bestow a day in holy works and exercises. There are four parts of the sanctification of the Sabbath the handling of God’s word, the using of the Sacraments public calling on God by prayer, and the exercising of the works of mercy. ...

For more, see Amandus Polanus on the fourth commandment.
 
The post for this Lord's Day is a lengthy one from Benjamin Morgan Palmer. It touches on a point that fewer and fewer Christians seem to understand these days, namely, that the Christian life involves making costly sacrifices:

... All kinds of business lie under peculiar disadvantages, of one kind or another, which are taken into account in estimating the value of their productions. If a Christian man, labouring productively five-sixths of his time, cannot compete with those who labour seven-sixths, there is perhaps no alternative but to exchange his calling for another, in which he may have less profits, and a sounder conscience. In other words, we uncover an important distinction, that to make out a sacrifice is not to prove a necessity.

We greatly fear that a large proportion of Sabbath breaking, especially on the part of professing Christians, is traceable to the neglect of this distinction. A man, for instance, is unexpectedly delayed upon a journey, perhaps almost within sight of his home—to tarry by the way will involve much inconvenience and discomfort, and perhaps pecuniary risk or loss—then add the anxieties he may feel about wife and children, and he is at once flattered into the belief of a stringent necessity upon him to violate God’s law.

Beloved brethren! How often must it be repeated, that a Christian profession, from first to last, involves sacrifices frequent and severe! Whoever assumes it, does in act and in form place himself on God’s altar, a whole burnt-offering. He is “bought with a price” and the vow is taken with awful solemnity, as in the court of Heaven to “glorify God in his body and his spirit, which are God’s.” And surely we are inattentive observers of Divine Providence, if we do not discover many circumstances in our life ordered expressly to test the sincerity and value of this profession. ...

For more, see Benjamin Morgan Palmer on the Sabbath, industrialisation, and making sacrifices.
 
Alas, even sabbath-time, the purest, the most refined part of time, a creation out of a creation, time consecrated by Divine sanction, how cheap and common is it in most men’s eyes, while many do sin away, and the most do idle away those hallowed hours!

Seneca was wont to jeer the Jews for their ill husbandry, in that they lost one day in seven, meaning their sabbath: truly it is too true of the most of christians, they lose one day in seven, whatever else; the sabbath for the most part is but a lost day; while some spend it totally upon their lusts, and the most, I had almost said the best, do fill up the void spaces and intervals of the sabbath from public worship, with idleness and vanity! ...

For the reference, see Thomas Case on the sin of idling away the Sabbath.
 
This is the divine command—a command that occupies one-tenth part of the moral law, that was written by God’s own finger on tables of stone, and, by his Almighty voice, sounded out from Sinai, that it might pour its obligations upon every ear, through every age of time. Beware, also, how you make this day a day of pleasure and amusement. The common sense of every man must teach him that the Sabbath was instituted for a higher purpose. ...

For more, see Gardiner Spring: The Sabbath is not merely a day of relaxation.
 
The post for this Sabbath comes from the seventeenth-century English theologian, Edward Leigh:

Now having expounded the words of the Commandment, let us come briefly to handle the question, Whether this Commandment be perpetual, binding all men in all ages, or whether temporary binding only the men which lived before the resurrection of Christ, and no further? It is manifest that the Laws given in the old Testament are to be distinguished in regard of their continuance into these two kinds. For the will of the Law-giver (from which the force, extent, and continuance of the Law hath its original) was that some of them should be observed but till the resurrection of Christ and no longer, and again that some should continue in force from the time of their making to the world’s end.

Now concerning this fourth Commandment, it is apparent that the Law-giver did intend that it should bind all men for ever from the time that he gave it. For how could he declare his mind in this behalf more plainly then by equalling it in all things with those precepts which are known to be of everlasting continuance, and by separating it from, and exalting it above all those other which are known to have been but Temporary. It was promulgated in the same majestic manner with the same voice, at the same time, and in the same place that the other nine. It was delivered to the same person to be laid up together in the same Ark, and so is a part of the same Covenant, whence those Tables are called the Tables of the Covenant, and that Ark the Ark of the Covenant. ...

For more, see Edward Leigh on the perpetual obligation of the fourth commandment.
 
... The text [Luke 2:27] also discovers to us the time when the Sabbath was appointed. It was made for man, not for any particular nation, age, or dispensation, but for the whole race. The word man is generic, and can mean nothing less than the human race. But if the Sabbath was made for the race, its appointment must have been coeval with the creation of man. The Scriptures afford ample evidence that this is true.

First. It is confirmed by the obvious meaning of the inspired narrative: “Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made. And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it; because that in it he had rested from all his works which God created and made.” To bless and sanctify a day, can mean nothing but to set it apart for religious services, and to make it a day of special blessing to those who rightly observe it. ...

For more, see Nathan L. Rice on the origin of the Sabbath.
 
Thomas Charles' Spiritual Counsels is a book that is easily overlooked, but it really ought not to be (Banner of Truth republished the below cited work under this title). This extract reminds us of the importance of the Sabbath and its spiritual significance:

... It commemorates the accomplishment of that stupendous work which brings deliverance to guilty sinners, by the resurrection of Christ from the dead. It is an emblem of that rest which sinners find in Christ for their weary souls, in consequence of his having finished the glorious work he had undertaken. This is also a pledge of that rest that yet remaineth for the people of God. As sure as we are now enjoying the one, we shall soon enjoy the other, if indeed we are pilgrims and sojourners here on earth.

The Jewish sabbath, being the seventh day, was to them a commemoration of their glorious deliverance from their Egyptian bondage, a sign between God and them, and a pledge of the promised inheritance. It looked backward and forward, it reminded them of their slavery and deliverance from it, whilst by faith they were looking forward to the land of promise, where they should rest from their wanderings in a barren and dangerous wilderness. Our Sabbath also speaks the same language, – it reminds us of a bondage infinitely dreadful, and of a deliverance infinitely complete and glorious, and also of a rest eternal in the heavens. ...

For more, see Thomas Charles: our Sabbath rest in Christ.
 
The post for this Lord's Day is a bit of an unusual one from Jonathan Edwards. People often object to first-day Sabbath observance on the basis that there is not an express command for such in scripture. Edwards, however, argues that God may reveal a command either through an express statement or via logical deductions from scripture. When #FourthCommandmentDeniers make this objection, it reminds me of C. S. Lewis's comment that God is no more fond of an intellectual slacker than any other slacker. Anyway, here is Edwards:

The human understanding is the ear to which the Word of God speaks, and if it be but so spoken as that that ear may plainly hear it, it is enough. God is sovereign as to the manner of revealing his mind, whether he will reveal it by saying it in express terms or whether we can perceive it by laying several things that he has said together. If his mind be but revealed, it is sufficient for us if there be but sufficient means for the communication of his mind to our minds, whether we hear so many express words with our ears or see them with our eyes or see by the eye of reason and understanding the thing that he would signify to us.

Who can say that if that had been the mind of God that we should keep the first day of the week, he would have commanded it in express terms, as he did the keeping the seventh day of old? Indeed, if God had so made our faculties that we were not capable of receiving a revelation of God’s mind in any other way, then there would be some reason to say so. But God has given such understanding that we are capable of receiving a revelation when made in another manner. And if God deals with [us] agreeably to our natures and in a way proportionable to our capacities, it is enough. ...

For more, see Jonathan Edwards on the first-day Sabbath and rational deductions from scripture.
 
It is a fact now distinctly recognized by the Christian world, that God did cease from the work of creation at the close of the sixth day, and did thus consecrate the seventh as a holy rest to man. Even the light labours of Paradise, which never brought fatigue, were, on this day, remitted; and man’s constant worship became more emphatic and devout as, on this day, he contemplated the glory of the Creator in the glory of His works.

It is equally unnecessary to array the physiological proof, that a weekly vacation from toil is required to repair the energies both of man and beast. To the sceptical it must suffice here to say, that a large induction of particular facts has fully established the natural law, that the sons of toil, in addition to the hours of repose which night affords, need the supplemental rest of a weekly Sabbath. ...

For more, see Benjamin Morgan Palmer on the Sabbath and rest from toil.
 
I have been reading Thomas Cartwright a bit of late, so, unsurprisingly, the post for this Lord's Day comes from him:

... Q. What need is there of one whole day in a week, to serve God in, seeing we may serve him every day?

A. To the end, that we should not plunge our selves so deeply into the affairs of the world, as that we should not recover our selves; the wisdom of God hath thought it good, that one day in seven, there should be an intermission from them; that we might wholly separate our selves to the service of God, and with the more freedom of spirit perform the same.

Secondly, for that a whole day is needful, for the performance of all the parts of God’s worship; as hearing of public Prayer, and the Word preached, Catechizing, administration of the Sacraments, exercise of holy Discipline, & consideration of the glory of God in the creatures. Thirdly, If Adam in his perfection had need of this help, much more have we, who are so grievously corrupted. ...

For more, see Thomas Cartwright on the need for the Sabbath day.
 
Commenting on John 9:13ff, J. C. Ryle reminded his readers of the true manner of keeping the Christian Sabbath in opposition to Judaical Sabbatarianism:

... Here, as in other places, we must take care that we do not put a wrong meaning on our Lord’s conduct. We must not for a moment suppose that the Sabbath is no longer binding on Christians, and that they have nothing to do with the Fourth Commandment. This is a great mistake, and the root of great evil. Not one of the ten commandments has ever been repealed or put aside. Our Lord never meant the Sabbath to become a day of pleasure, or a day of business, or a day of traveling and idle dissipation. He meant it to be “kept holy” as long as the world stands.

It is one thing to employ the Sabbath in works of mercy, in ministering to the sick, and doing good to the distressed. It is quite another thing to spend the day in visiting, feasting, and self-indulgence. Whatever men may please to say, the way in which we use the Sabbath a sure test of the state of our religion. By the Sabbath may be found out whether we love communion with God. By the Sabbath may be found out whether we are in tune for heaven. By the Sabbath, in short, the secrets of many hearts are revealed. There are only too many of whom we may say with sorrow, “These men are not of God, because they keep not the Sabbath day.” ...

For more, see J. C. Ryle on the true manner of keeping the Sabbath.
 
The post for this Lord's Day comes from James Walker of the Free Church of Scotland wherein he commends the Sabbath as it was observed in Scotland, though we some warnings against potential pitfalls. These warnings are necessary because such is our corruption that we can abuse God's good gifts (including the Sabbath) for our own wicked ends:

... And, for my part, I do not comprehend how any person with religious feelings and sympathies should not be ready to admit that at least there is something very grand about the Scottish Sabbath, in its idea of a day of communion with the Unseen and Eternal; of adoration of our Maker and our Saviour; of self-examination and moral exercise; of acquisition of religious knowledge; and all this in order to the spiritual elevation of the soul, the replenishing of our moral energies, and a closer hold of the verities which have a place in our creed.

Of course, Scotch religion has had its formalism; and that formalism very naturally connects itself with the Sabbath. The Sabbath is the thing among us in which the Pharisaic tendency and conscience find readiest exercise. It is our chief opportunity for religious display. And no doubt we have had our share of the miserable thing. Nor do I hold myself obliged to defend all the minutiae of Sabbatic observance which you may find in presbytery records, or of which people may have heard stray reports. ...

For more, see James Walker on the Scottish Sabbath.
 
The post for this Sabbath comes from Benjamin Morgan Palmer:

As in Judaism, the Sabbath was a monumental pillar bearing the record of Israel’s redemption from Egypt, so Christianity engraves upon it the sinner’s redemption from hell, through a Saviour’s resurrection. By a change only in what was positive, and not moral, in the command, its transfer from the seventh to the first day of the week proclaims “this same Jesus hath God raised up, whereof I am witness.” But the Sabbath which commemorates the consummating act, is equally the memorial of that entire redeeming work undertaken by Christ upon the earth.

Thus in the religion of grace, as in the religion of nature, the Sabbath lifts itself like some proud obelisk, all covered with inscriptions of man’s duties to his God, and of God’s rich grace to man. So complete is the identity between the Sabbath and the gospel it attests, as to have extorted the confession, that till the former was destroyed, it was hopeless to overturn the latter; and infidel France was instigated to rob it of its sacred associations, by the substitution of a tenth day of rest and pleasure. ...

For the reference, see Benjamin Morgan Palmer on the Christian Sabbath as a monument to redemption.
 
Today's Sabbath post comes from Hugh Martin:

[H]ow blessed a privilege is God’s holy day … To sit entirely loose to the world for a seventh part of our sojourn within it – to know that, insignificant as man is, the movements of the whole heavens and the earth are reciprocally attuned and adjusted, so as to evolve to us a weekly period of holy rest – to know that, when it comes, God’s ear, never closed, is specially open to our cry – to know that, when we come into his courts, the ever present God is then specially present Father, to bless, and save, and sanctify. Oh! surely the heart must be callous and cold indeed, steeled in the hardness of triple brass, which does not respond to all this with its inmost and most holy feeling; and which, in the simple knowledge of this, not to speak of the enjoyment of it, does not grow humbler, and wiser, and holier, and better!

For the reference, see Hugh Martin on the blessing of the Sabbath.
 
Today's Sabbath post comes from Hugh Martin:

[H]ow blessed a privilege is God’s holy day … To sit entirely loose to the world for a seventh part of our sojourn within it – to know that, insignificant as man is, the movements of the whole heavens and the earth are reciprocally attuned and adjusted, so as to evolve to us a weekly period of holy rest – to know that, when it comes, God’s ear, never closed, is specially open to our cry – to know that, when we come into his courts, the ever present God is then specially present Father, to bless, and save, and sanctify. Oh! surely the heart must be callous and cold indeed, steeled in the hardness of triple brass, which does not respond to all this with its inmost and most holy feeling; and which, in the simple knowledge of this, not to speak of the enjoyment of it, does not grow humbler, and wiser, and holier, and better!

For the reference, see Hugh Martin on the blessing of the Sabbath.
Thank you Daniel, I needed this as I have much to cry out before the Lord this morning in my failings this week. My flesh wants me to withhold prayer because of the shame I feel. Thank you for the encouragement that the Lord gives ear to his children, especially today.
 
Today's Sabbath post comes from Hugh Martin:

[H]ow blessed a privilege is God’s holy day … To sit entirely loose to the world for a seventh part of our sojourn within it – to know that, insignificant as man is, the movements of the whole heavens and the earth are reciprocally attuned and adjusted, so as to evolve to us a weekly period of holy rest – to know that, when it comes, God’s ear, never closed, is specially open to our cry – to know that, when we come into his courts, the ever present God is then specially present Father, to bless, and save, and sanctify. Oh! surely the heart must be callous and cold indeed, steeled in the hardness of triple brass, which does not respond to all this with its inmost and most holy feeling; and which, in the simple knowledge of this, not to speak of the enjoyment of it, does not grow humbler, and wiser, and holier, and better!

For the reference, see Hugh Martin on the blessing of the Sabbath.

Now this is why I love Hugh Martin! This man combines high, experiential doctrine with such elegant style! Truly apples of gold on plates of silver, to make the truth shine more illustriously.

What a thought to make us value the Sabbath... All the working world is demanded to come to a halt for the sake of the physical and spiritual rest of fallen man. Indeed I am stone-cold if I don't respond to that with joy, love, and diligence!
 
DEFEND THE LORD’S DAY. – Lift up a calm, undaunted testimony against all the profanations of the Lord’s day. Use all your influence, whether as a statesman, a magistrate, a master, a father, or a friend, both publicly and privately, to defend the entire Lord’s day. This duty is laid upon you in the Fourth Commandment.

Never see the Sabbath broken without reproving the breaker of it. Even worldly men, with all their pride and contempt for us, cannot endure to be convicted of Sabbath-breaking. Always remember God and the Bible are on your side, and that you will soon see these men cursing their own sin and folly when too late. ...

For the reference, see Robert Murray M'Cheyne: Defend the Lord’s Day.

N.B. @NaphtaliPress - I am having the problem that I mentioned previously with the link to a M'Cheyne quote.
 
The post for this Lord's Day is a fairly long one from Edward Leigh:

... So then all labours and businesses except in these three cases are unlawful, for mercy, necessity, and present needful comfort. And not alone the labour of the hand about these things, but also the labour of the tongue and of the heart, in speaking and thinking of these businesses out of the cases excepted, is condemned, as the Prophet Isaiah doth plainly shew, commanding to sanctify the Sabbath to the Lord, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words; our own words must be forborne, and our own pleasure, and consequently our own thoughts, for indeed words and thoughts of worldly businesses are as opposite to the sanctifying of the Sabbath as works, seeing the soul can no better be employed in holy exercises if it give it self to them, then if the whole body were so bestowed. So the true keeping of the Sabbath requireth the turning of hand, tongue and heart from our own ways, and thoughts, and words, that is, such as concern our own worldly matters and affairs. ...

For more, see Edward Leigh on celebrating the Sabbath by resting from unnecessary labour.
 
This week's Sabbath post comes from A. A. Hodge:

1. The institution of the Sabbath rests upon the physical, moral and religious nature of man, as that nature exists under the conditions of his life in this world.

2. In conformity with this fact, God instituted the Sabbath at the creation of man, setting apart the seventh day for that purpose, and imposed its observance as a universal and perpetual moral obligation upon the race.

3. After the resurrection of Christ, instead of abrogating an old and introducing a new institution, God, through his inspired agents, perpetuated the Sabbath, reimposing it upon Christians with increased obligations, and by changing the day from the seventh to the first day of the week enriched it with new and higher significance. ...

For the reference, see A. A. Hodge: propositions concerning the Sabbath.
 
Today's Sabbath-themed post comes, once again, from Jonathan Edwards:

... Thirteenth. The tradition of the church from age to age, though it be no rule, yet may be a great confirmation of the truth in such a case as this is. We find by all accounts, that it has been the universal custom of the Christian church in all ages, even from the age of the apostles [to keep this day]. We read in the writings that remain of the first and second and third centuries of the Christians keeping the Lord’s day, and so in all succeeding centuries; and there are no accounts that contradict them. This day has all along been kept by Christians in all countries throughout the world, and by almost all that have borne the name of Christians of all denominations, however different in their opinions as to other things.

Now, though this ben’t [sic] sufficient of itself without a foundation in Scripture, yet it may be a confirmation of it, because here is really matter of conviction to our reason in it. Reason may greatly confirm truths revealed in Scripture. The universality of the custom through all Christian countries, in all ages, by what account we have of ’em, is a good argument that the church had it from the apostles. And ’tis difficult to conceive how all should come to agree to set up such a custom through the world, of different sects and opinions, and we have no account of any such thing. ...

For more, see Jonathan Edwards on the significance of the first day of the week as the Lord’s Day.
 
The post for this Sabbath from John Foxe is a bit different than normal, but it is still pretty interesting:

You so vaunt your selves lustily in speech of the circumcision of your foreskins, and your uncircumcised hearts overflow with spiderlike poison: you brag of keeping the Sabbath day whiles you take your bodily repose only: but the right use of the Sabbath of the Lord is to have a quiet mind, free from all ire of envy and malice.

This Sabbath you do profane continually, but then chiefly most wickedly, when ye murdered the Lord himself, neither seem as yet satisfied therewith, nor ye will relent any iota at al from your cackred [sic] contumacy: you profess in words the letter of the law, but utterly disclaim from the spiritual meaning of the law in your deeds. ...

For more, see John Foxe on Sabbath profanation by the Jews.
 
@Grant has been posting a lot from Wilhelmus à Brakel of late. Brakel has some really useful things to say about the Sabbath as a time for spiritual reflection:

Reflection is also needful to preserve the sabbath disposition and blessing. First, this consists in reflecting upon how the day was spent publicly and privately, and upon the sins which one has committed; that is, laxity, listlessness, lack of spirituality, and the failure to abhor these. Confess this with sorrow before the Lord, and seek forgiveness through Christ.

Secondly, it consists in reflecting upon the good we have performed on this day, upon the upright objective to hallow the sabbath, and the efforts to do everything in such a manner as is pleasing to God. It furthermore consists in reflecting upon the blessings, refreshments, comforts, illumination, and quickening we enjoyed from the Spirit of the Lord. One must acknowledge this and rejoice in this, even if it were ever so little. Even if the insatiable desire of our soul has not been satisfied, we should yet thank the Lord for the good we received. ...

For more, see Wilhelmus à Brakel: Sabbath reflections.
 
The post for this Lord's Day comes from the younger William Symington:

... Is this fourth precept, then, to be regarded as an exception to the general principle, — as nothing more than a positive enactment, having no foundation in the nature of man as a moral being, and admitting, therefore, of being repealed at the will of the Lawgiver?

Surely the duties of worshipping God, cultivating holiness, preparing for the rest of heaven, are duties of a moral nature, and can there be anything more directly and properly moral than the setting apart of a certain portion of time for giving special attention to these duties? ...

For more, see William Symington II on the Sabbath and man as a moral being.
 
The post for this Lord's Day comes from the 19th-century Scottish Seceder minister, William White, in which he replies to some objections against the Sabbath being established at creation:

The Sabbath is an institution of great antiquity, having been appointed by God on the first seventh day of time, to commemorate the creation of the world. Some hold that the Sabbath was first instituted when Israel were in the wilderness. It is of importance to as certain whether this opinion, or that which we have announced is sanctioned by scripture. If the Sabbath was instituted before the fall, the command to devote a seventh part of their time to God, is binding upon the whole human race. Having been given many centuries before the Mosaic economy, this command is unaffected by its abrogation; ...

Some are of opinion that the sanctification of the seventh day is mentioned in this passage, not because the Sabbath was now appointed, but because it was afterwards appointed for the reason here mentioned. This opinion is unsupported by evidence. The sanctification of the seventh day, and the finishing of creation, are recorded in the same passage of an historical narrative, as they would have been, if they had occurred together, and as they should not have been, if the one was two thousand years after the other. ...

For more, see William White on the antiquity of the Sabbath.
 
The post for this Lord's Day comes from A. A. Hodge:

He [Christ] declared (Mark 2:27) that “the Sabbath was made for man,” the genus homo, and consequently is both binding on all men for all time and adapted to the nature and wants of all men under all historical conditions. On the other hand, it is evident that the particular day set apart is not in the least of the essence of the institution, and that it must depend upon the positive will of God, which of course may substitute one day instead of another on suitable occasions for adequate reasons. …

The introduction of a new dispensation. in which a preparatory and particularistic national system is to be replaced by a permanent and universal one, embracing all nations to the end of time, is certainly such a suitable occasion. The moral law, expressed in the ten commandments written by the finger of God on stone, and made the foundation of his throne between the cherubim and the condition of his covenant, must remain, while the types, the special municipal laws of the Jews, and whatever is unessential in Sabbath or other permanent institutions, must be changed. …

For more, see A. A. Hodge on the universal obligation of the Sabbath in the New Testament age.
 
The post for this Lord's Day comes from Thomas Cartwright:

... Q. Are we as strictly bound to forbear all worldly labour upon this day, as the Jews?

A. Yes verily, so far as the Commandment reacheth; and more then they, because of the greater measure of God’s graces upon us, above that which was upon them.

Q. What do you say to the making of a fire, and dressing of meat upon the Lord’s day? for neither of these were lawful to the Jews.

A. Not to make a fire, or dress meat on the Sabbath, were proper to the Pedagogy, or manner of government of the children under the Law; as may appear by this, that there was no such thing commanded, before the Law was given by Moses; and therefore it followeth that this was Ceremonial, and not Moral. ...

For more, see Thomas Cartwright: unlawful works on the Lord’s Day.
 
The below post from William White is highly relevant to the current climate. I am only posting a brief extract here, but it is worth reading the whole thing if you have the time:

... That there should be a Sabbath, or some portion of the public time set apart for the worship of God, is a dictate of moral natural law. This appears from the following considerations. Man is a social being. He is born in society, and born for society. “It is not good for man that he be alone.” As the solitary tree of the desert is generally stunted in its size and scanty in its foliage, compared with its princely kindred of the forest, which, sheltered by one another, have braved the fury of a thousand blasts, and the rigour of a hundred seasons; so man, in a solitary state, would be altogether unlike the being he is in society; the whole powers of his nature could not be developed, and all the happiness of which he is capable could not be obtained; those affections, to which life owes much of its comfort, and all its refinement, which are the well in the heart from which flow all the streams of earthly delight, would have been in a solitary state, like a “spring shut up — a fountain sealed.” Not from accident then, but from the benevolent design of his Maker, man is a social being. ...

For more see, William White on the Sabbath, natural law, and man as a social being.
 
This week's Sabbath post is a challenging one from W. B. Sprague. It is a lengthy post, and worth reading in full if you get the time, but here are a few extracts from it:

... Be equally careful, on the other hand, that you do not curtail this sacred day, by suffering your spirituality gradually to decline with the sun. I urge this counsel upon you the rather, from the fact that the error to which I refer so extensively prevails, that you will be in danger of falling into it almost unconsciously. Remember that He who has fixed the stamp of His authority on the sabbath, has left the impress of holiness equally on all its hours. Remember that if you begin the sabbath too late, or close it too early, you are, in either case, guilty of robbing God.

I would say, in the next place, keep the day strictly holy. With the low standards of the world on this subject, have nothing to do; remembering that the command of Jehovah is resting upon you, that you should not think your own thoughts, or find your own pleasures. Wherever you are, recollect this command is to be strictly obeyed. ...

With the exception of what are called “works of necessity and mercy,” (and in respect to these, an enlightened conscience is to be the judge,) the whole day is to be devoted to duties strictly religious. Beside attending on the public worship of the sanctuary, (in respect to an absence from which, you are never lightly to admit an excuse,) you are to devote a considerable part of the sabbath to the private exercises of meditation, prayer, and reading the scriptures and other religious books; and some part of it may be profitably spent, as you have opportunity, in serious conversation. ...

For more, see William Buell Sprague on the proper observance of the Sabbath.
 
I can’t believe this thread has been going for two years now. I’ve benefitted from it very much over that time, too.
 
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