m wv a&ef'UKL'Ad Ja^^*^ i- fTf*/ i &Oc*n.0U«s{ fet * ^07 / T*+Y V-^ &$. gMmtj of (&0n#xw. ^y, SMxzo ^&/iy>?y/tt <^=A&. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. a f TTi.UM^Tn FOUR WAYS OF KEEPING THE SABBATH. frontispiece. — Family Scene. FOUR WAYS OF KEEPING THE SABBATH. Written for the Massachusetts Sabbath School Society, and approved by the Committee of Publication. **» m «<&- «-0*~- BOSTON: MASSACHUSETTS SABBATH SCHOOL SOCIETY, Depository, No. 13 Cornhill. Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 185S, By CHRISTOPHER C. DEAN, in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of Massachusetts. FOUR WAYS KEEPING THE SABBATH. NUMBER I The Sabbath sun shone pleasantly upon one of our New England cities. The shop-keepers had barred their doors, and tradesmen had left their daily marts of business. The streets were comparatively still, and every thing outwardly betokened a respect for the holy hours. That many felt a true respect for 8 FOUR WAYS OF the sacred day, might be known by the crowds who answered the call of the Church bell, and went " up into the tabernacle of the Lord," to receive, if it might be, a blessing from Jehovah. In a pleasant, cheerful chamber of a fine house in S. street, sat Mr. and Mrs. Elliott. A beautiful baby was in her arms, and the father was talking to the little one, who cooed and prattled, stretching out its tiny hands towards its delighted parent. He did not seem to hear the sound of the church bells, al- though they chimed for full a quarter of an hour. His was not a church-going family. He was a wealthy merchant, and every week found him more and more prosperous in business. On Sunday, because it was the custom, for no other reason did he close his store and forget from whom he received the KEEPING THE SABBATH. 9 joys of his life. He brought not u weekly, a tenth part of his gain into the treasury of the Lord." He played with his infant son until long after the bells had ceased ring- ing, then taking a secular newspaper in his hand, he went down into the elegant parlor, threw himself upon the sofa and commenced reading a politi- cal article. Before long an intimate friend called and his young wife joining them, they conversed until noon upon their own interests and prospects, as regards this world. Alas, that better inheritance whose streets are paved with gold, — even that heavenly, — was not thought of! Soon dinner was announced and Mr. Elliott being very hospitable, invited his guest to join them, which he willingly accepted. The conversation 10 FOUR WAYS OF turned upon balls and parties, and Mr. Elliott inquired " if Mr. Adams were going to the concert that evening?" " A sacred concert is it?" asked Mr. Adams. " Oh yes, to be sure; sacred concert Sabbath evenings. I like to go, it helps while away the time, and the music is sometimes excellent. — Handel's Mes- siah, to-night I believe." It is doubtless true that most who attend Sabbath evening concerts are of the same mind as Mr. Elliott, and it is to be doubted, if many true, humble, devout Christians give their example to such use of holy time. The effect is not surely upon the whole, a good one. In the afternoon his friend having de- parted, Mr. Elliott composed himself for a long nap, which helped away the KEEPING THE SABBATH. 11 hours almost until tea, and then came the concert. That Sabbath ! fellow traveler to eternity, had been lost. Mr. Elliott was a favorite among his companions ; a warm heart, a gen- erous hand, and quick sympathies had not failed to make him beloved by all. It was with pain that many of his friends noticed his neglect of the Sab- bath, and some even urged him to attend to these duties, but in vain ; it was in another way, one of His own appointing, that the Lord had deter- mined to lead him. A week after the first Sabbath on which we first introduced him to the reader, in that same pleasant chamber sat Mr. and Mrs. Elliott bending over the crib where their beautiful boy lay in a highfever. His bright eyes were closed, and the golden ringlets lay damp upon 12 FOUR WAYS OF his white forehead, his hands were clasped, and the heaving of his little chest told that death was struggling for the mastery ; and death came silently, the young spirit winged its flight to another home, a more heaven- ly home than this. Now the " strong man was bowed," his wealth, his prospects, his friends could not call the child back again, and where had he a hiding-place from the storm? God knows where to touch ; he sees the chord which will vibrate most keenly, and when he has a design to fulfill he will do it. It was thus that He took the babe that he might draw towards him the thoughts of the straying parents. He had given them wealth, but they set their hearts upon it, and forgot Him ; He had given them friends, and they KEEPING THE SABBATH. 13 felt not the need of an heavenly Father; He had given them health, and they thought not of the Great Physician ; He had given them his Sabbath, but they remembered not to " keep it holy ;" He had drawn them by cords of love, and they rejected them ; and now He came hidden in the thick cloud and storm. God's purpose w r as fulfilled. From that Monday morn- ing, when the bereaved parents buried the dead from their sight, from that af- fliction they were led to consider their w r ays, to go unto the House of God, and become " wise unto salvation. " The case of Mr. Elliott is not an uncommon one. In our large cities, many, very many, of our wealthy ones thus spend their Sabbaths; men, whose influence might and should be on the side of morality and virtue in propor- 14 FOUR WAYS or tion to their wealth. It is enough for them that they close their places of business. To their minds, the poor may go to church, it is well for them, it makes them honest, more reputa- ble ; but the tide of their prosperity is high, and what need they of church services? It is not always, that God brings such to a knowledge of their evil ways through affliction. Sometimes, — often He leaves them, riches increasing, friends remaining, — He leaves them until death comes, sure, certain, no respecter of persons ! Death comes, and ushers them with their array of misimproved Sabbaths, before the In- exorable Judge ! Awake, awake ! ere the trumpet of the Lord calls thee to thine irrevoca- ble doom ! KEEPING THE SABBATH. 15 NUMBER II. Sitting by my window one pleasant Sabbath noon, my attention was at- tracted by a horse and buggy stopping at my gate. Startled by so uncommon an occurrence in the country, and see- ing a trunk and bandboxes strapped on behind the carriage, I supposed some friend must be dying, and hastened to answer the knock at the door ; but Julia, my kitchen-girl, had already rec- ognized her cousins, and ere I had gained the first stair, had greeted them heartily and invited them in. Then the truth flashed over me, that these persons, p a young man and woman, were traveling visitors to my Julia. 16 FOUR WATS OF I hardly knew what to do ; I felt it wrong to allow such a visit in my house; I felt it best not then to send them away from the door. I waited a moment, and touched the bell, which Julia soon an- swered, not in the least abashed at having a kitchen full of company on the Sabbath. " Julia," said I, " who are those in the kitchen V' " My cousins, from L.," was her quick reply. " What ! traveling on Sunday?" " Yes ma'am, George went down from the farm this morning to L., after cousin Lucy. It is the only time hard working people have to help each other on. Lucy was ready to leave the factory, and she sent word for him, so he went, and now they called to see me on their way back. It is all right KEEPING THE SABBATH. 17 ma'am, nothing at all wrong about it. Mr. Standish would not let him go on work days, and surely working people must have a little change." "Julia," said I, cc this is wrong both in the sight of God and man." "I don't see any thing wrong," she replied, "when else could he have gone ?" " Any day, better than the Sabbath. It is God's time, and not our own. It is better to disobey man than God." "That is not w 7 hat I think ma'am ; we work hard, and people work us hard. If we ask for time to go away, they say they must get other help, and so we must either lose our places, or go visiting on the Sabbath." I took out from my desk, two tracts on " Keeping the Sabbath," and hand- ed them to Julia, saying, " You take 2* 18 FOUR WAYS OF these down to your friends, and tell them I wish they would read them this afternoon. " I saw that Julia was displeased. Her friends came to see her and talk over family affairs, and that I should put them to reading tracts on Sabbath- keeping, was too bad ; however, she took them and went down. This little occurrence led me to consider the fact that so many of our working people visit on the Sabbath. I could look back and recall from my own personal observation, many in- stances of this kind. I remembered a servant who went to her uncle's on the Sabbath to settle up some pecuniary business. I re- membered an instance of a young man's going on a matrimonial affair ; I re- membered a young woman's going KEEPING THE SABBATH. 19 home to see if every thing was arranged comfortably. I remembered another who went to visit a brother just re- turned from sea ; I remembered a young man going to carry his sister on a ride, and my heart sickened thus to be obliged to own the truth. I then wondered where the fault lay. Did it rest with those who hired, or with those who were hired? I was obliged to answer, with both. There are many who consider all of a man's or woman's time their own, as long as they are in their service, and who will not give them an half day for business or pleasure visits, and there- fore, oblige them to betake themselves to the Sabbath. If this little tract fall into the hands of any such master or mistress let them see to it, " that the blood of souls be not found upon their skirts.'' 20 FOUR WAYS OF Yet I think the fault lies more heavily upon the working class them- selves ; they might so arrange their work, that week day evenings could often be found for pleasure or business calls ; they might do this if they would. The trouble lies in a wicked heart ; Sunday is a long day to their unre- newed minds, and if they can find a shadow of an excuse for neglecting its hours, they catch it as eagerly as the hungry fish its bait. My humble friend : search and see, is it not so with you? Are you not really pleased to cast the blame upon your masters, when your conscience warns you a little ? Praise be to God that he has placed this faithful monitor within your breast ! He is not willing to leave you, and when you disregard his Sabbath, he speaks within and calls KEEPING THE SABBATH. 21 you with these blessed words, " that unto the poor the gospel is preached," the Gospel " which is the wisdom of God and the power of God unto salva- tion," making you "rich in the faith." Do not disregard his call. Go up to the house of the Lord, there may be a blessing waiting for you which shall enrich you more than California's gold; for you shall have promise " of the life which now is, and the life which is to come." 22 FOUR WAYS OF NUMBER III. Henry Stilling was the son of a godly deacon in B . He had been brought up to reverence the house of God, and observe the Sabbath from his youth up ; and now that he w T as about to leave the quiet village, and go into the city as a young lawyer, his father trembled lest his feet might slip, for he had never made a profession of re- ligion. He thought of it as he went out into the field, and as he came in from his work. He knew the tempta- tions that lay in wait among the roses and in the rich strains of music. — He saw the wiles of the beautiful dancer, and he knew she would call to the sim- KEEPING THE SABBATH. _•> pie ones from within ! — He knew too, that Henry's promise once gained, was sure, and he knew the influence of regular attendance to Sabbath duties. Days and days had passed, and the time for exacting that promise did not seem to present itself. But now, as they sat alone in the quiet sitting- room the evening before his departure, now was the moment. " Henry," said he, " I w r ant a prom- ise from you, my son V 9 " What is it, father?" inquired he, startled at the uneasiness of the tone. He had never seen him so serious but once before, and that was when he left home for college. "It is this, my boy," and he laid his hand on the richly curling hair, and his voice ceased for a moment, — God, alone, heard the prayer ! — " it 24 FOUR WAYS OF is this, my boy : will you regularly at- tend church every Sabbath, twice a day, if well and able. This is all, will you promise ?" Henry was silent for a few moments. He was thinking of making a promise, once made never to be broken. His thoughts ran back to Lucy Linwood, whose pledged affection had been given him but a few days before, and he thought a promise more sacred than ever. Now he was requested to give one to his father which involved more than this life's happiness, and there- fore, he still kept silent. " Can you, will you not promise me ?" said the old man, tears starting in his eyes. Still Henry spoke not ; there was a struggle in his heart, one of those noble manly struggles which youth KEEPING THE SABBATH. oftentimes experiences. The old man took his Bible and commenced reading with a trembling voice, " My son, give me thy heart. " " I promise it, father," said Henry, as the reader ceased and laid the vol- ume back on the table; and taking the lamp which his mother had lighted for him nearly an hour ago, he went up into his room. When he had closed the door, his father kneeled down and wrestled with God in prayer, as Jacob. Henry became one of the first law- yers in the city. Having occasion to call upon him in regard to business, having finished it satisfactorily, our conversation turned upon the observ- ance of the Sabbath, suggested by some passing remark. " Mr. Hemcall," said he to me, "you know that promise which my 28 FOUR WAYS OF pious father drew from me when I was a young man, just entering my profes- sion. I kept that promise, but I did not keep the Sabbath ; while in church my attention was attracted by the gay dressing, and the strange faces. Some client, perhaps, would be seated before me, and ere I was aware, I had re- volved the case over and over again in my mind. I would read some worldly book between services, and my thoughts would often dwell upon that. It was not until Mr. Fairfield roused me to a personal sense of my guilt by a sermon brought home to my con- science, that I felt I had something else to do in order to keep the Sabbath, than to attend church ; but thanks to my father, and praise be to God ; if I had not made that promise I should never have heard that sermon, made effectual KEEPING THE KAlilJATlL on my heart, for temptations were great against it. " There are thousands of persons now, who consider that they observe the Sabbath if they attend church, no matter how their time is employed the rest of the day ; but the acceptable observance of the Sabbath is far more than that. I have a sketch of a worthy woman who kept it holy unto the Lord. I should like to have you read it, and give it free circulation if you deem it best." Another legal gentleman calling at this time, I took the manuscript and carried it home. FOUR WAYS OF NUMBER IV. In a neat farm-house close under the hills which rose green and beautiful around, Mrs. Elden lived a long and useful life, with no desire or necessity for change. The days and years had slipped by since she first entered the dwelling a youthful bride. Changes, indeed, she had seen, for who in this changing world is free from them? She had seen them bear forth her aged father and mother to the village church- yard, and even the choice of her youth was laid low in his manhood's strength, and left her the widowed mother of four young children. But through all this she had passed as fine gold KEEPING THE SABBATH. 29 through the fire, only shining brighter by the test. Hers was a life whose Sabbaths had influenced each week as it came ; whose Sabbaths had been improved, observed from the heart. She was often accustomed to say to her pastor : — " Oh, my Sabbaths, precious, pre- cious, precious gift ; to them am I in- debted for my bodily and mental strength. My Sabbaths, Sir, words cannot value them ; to them am I in- debted, through God, for the sanctifi- cation of my children and children's children. " Her house was a pattern to the whole neighborhood ; neat, orderly, well regulated, and well stored, and often some less thrifty neighbor would inquire, " How she could seem so happy with all her 3* 30 FOUB WAYS OF weighty cares, how she could always be in order !" her prompt reply was : — " A Sabbath well spent, Brings a week of content." On Saturday morning commenced the duties of preparation for the Sab- bath. Every thing was prepared ; there was no hurrying to and fro on Sabbath morning : all knew their part and went quietly on to do only that which teas necessary. On Saturday evening each article of apparel was selected and laid aside for the morn- ing ; every possible duty attended to ere the holy hours came. When it did dawn upon them, how quiet it found them. The children, who were old enough, sat w T ith their books, quietly reading; baby boy, alone, cooing and prattling in inno- KEEPING THE SABBATH. 31 cency. Seme Sabbath school book or some hymn always employed their time until church. This gave Mrs. Elden much time to herself. She could and she did find time to retire to her own room and commit herself and her fatherless children to the Lord, for she might be said to have made the time by prudent arrangement. In these precious seasons, she w T restled for ablessing upon him who should min- ister to them in holy things, and she went from the room with a countenance irradiated with holy joy. The children felt the influence of it, and they early learned to cherish and love that holy religion. As they walked to church there was no levity in the little group. Sometimes the loveliness of the day would lead their thoughts and conversation to nature 32 FOUR WAYS OF and her God, or the sudden death of an acquaintance would startle them ; an event, which the pious mother never failed to press home to their hearts. In the house of God how earnestly she listened to the Word ; I have often joined her as she left the church after a sermon, which others called very uninteresting, and some- times have pressed her hard for her opinion, but she invariably shook her head and said, "I have been to the house of God, and I have heard those soothing hymns of Watts' and the prayers were offered to Jehovah." I remember once calling to her as she went down the steps to walk home. I really was led to argue, and therefore told her that " I knew there must be times when the preaching was dull even to her, or if not to you, Mrs. KEEPING TIIE SABBATH. 33 Elden, it surely is to me. Now, what is to be done at such a time. I have heard sermons which so grated on my sensibilities, I could hardly sit still. " With a smile, she laid her hand upon my shoulder and said, " The preacher wanting sense, God takes the text and preaches patience." She spent most of her Sabbath in prayer. Her little family would gath- er around her after sunset, and she would read thern stories from the Old Testament. It was never a dull day to them. It was the aim of her life to make the Sabbath profitable to her family and to herself, and she accom- plished it. The influence went forth, broad and deep from that woman's simple-hearted piety, and it will ever flow on steadily increasing, until the present life is lost in the life to come, 34 FOUR WAYS OF and she meets her numerous children in Christ in that home whither she was called in a ripe old age. One of her sons is a missionary upon foreign shores, and shall not number- less heathen enlightened, "rise tip and call her blessed?" Her two daughters are both active, efficient, useful pastor's wives, and the remain- ing son, a benevolent, pious physician, settled in his native town. The bless- ing of God surely rests upon them ! A careful, prayerful observance of the Sabbath is often in this life accom- panied with the direct blessings of Jehovah ; but oh, what pen can depict the results which shall flow from an improved earthly Sabbath, when the gates of the Heavenly Jerusalem are thrown open and the redeemed multi- tude go in to worship ! KEEPING THE SABBATH. 85 Reader, will you be there ? " Blessed is the man that doeth this, and the son of man that layeth hold on it, that keepeth the Sabbath from polluting it, and keepeth his hand from doing any evil." " Even unto them will I give in my house and within my walls, a place and a name better than of sons and daugh- ters : I will give them an everlasting name that shall not be cut off." " Even them will I bring to my holy mountain ; and make them joyful in my House of prayer." Will you be there ? " Remember that he tuho is shut out j hath shut himself out ." 36 KEEPING THE SABLATH. H TMN. Lift up vour heart ye trembling one ! The Sabbath morn so blest has come ; Oh, rise, and joyful let us bring Into his courts an offering. Not of bright gems, nor purest gold, Not of the first flocks from the fold ; Not wines, not fruits with heartless prayer, Will find for once acceptance there. A broken, contrite, humble heart, Burdened with sin in every part, Wnh all its doubts and anguish riven ; This, is an offering for Heaven. Jesus will take it to his breast, Within his fold, we shall be blest: The sin, the doubt, the fear will cease, And passion's sea be calmed to peace. Temptations shall not fright us more, With Christ to guide, we gain the shore, E'en Death itself, shall conquered be, For Christ hath gained the victory. Oh rise, and joyful let us bring Into his courts an offering ; And gladly, in His house to day Our humble, heartfelt worship pay. THE END. ,30 LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 022 171 592 5 ^B^ *%m i