to attend public worship. I cannot discriminate. Besides, my horses have to work all the week, and it would be wrong to work them on the Sabbath. God forbids it; the good of the community forbids it. My men and myself wish to keep the Sabbath, and I must be excused from letting horses. Come any other day, Mr. —, and I will gladly accommodate you. If you wish for a horse to ride any distance to exchange, come on Saturday, and I will never refuse you."

A certain minister, who often exchanged with his brethren, would not be absent from his family either the night before or the night after the Sabbath. He ordinarily rode from one town to another in the morning, and returned in the evening. Yet his family did not do any better than the families of those ministers who were not accustomed to ride on the Sabbath. And if you observe the families of those ministers who have been most accustomed to this practice, you will find that they do not appear to have benefited their families. They do not keep the Sabbath any better, and the influence of those ministers, in promoting the due observance of that day, seems to have been lessened.

To be most useful, ministers of the gospel, especially, must avoid not only the reality, but also "the appearance" of evil; be careful that they give no occasion for their good to be evil spoken of; much more, that they do not, for the sake of good, do evil.

These principles extend not only to their riding from town to town on the Sabbath, but also to their conversation and deportment in the families where they stay. If they are seen reading secular books, periodicals, or papers, literary, scientific, or tasteful merely, or are heard conversing upon general, worldly topics, their example, especially to the young, will be pernicious. The more estimable and interesting their character in other respects, the greater will be the

evil which, by such a course, they may occasion. As dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth an offensive savor, so doth a little folly him that is had in reputation for wisdom and honor. The more conspicuous a man's character, and the greater his influence, the greater the importance that he should in all respects set an example which may be safely followed, and which will in the highest degree be useful to those who shall imitate it. And to no subject does this more strikingly apply than to the keeping of the Sabbath, and to no class of people more than to ministers of the gospel. They are set for the defence of the truth, and their lives should be a living exhibition of it. On few things does the state of their own minds, the influence of their character, or the effect of their labors more depend, than on the manner in which they spend holy time.

This applies also to other Christians, and to all persons. There is, in the providence of God, an intimate connection, and one much more influential than is generally supposed, between the state of mind which is cultivated, the habits of thought and feeling which are indulged, and the courses of conversation and conduct which are followed on the Sabbath, and the condition of a person and the objects which he will accomplish during the week. To experience its highest benefits, the day must be treated as THE DAY OF THE LORD, a day to be peculiarly and openly consecrated to him. The mind, as well as the body, must be withdrawn from earthly pursuits, and must be employed in those concerns which have reference to God and to heaven, and which tend to prepare men to be partakers of its employments and joys.

Of course, prayer, private, social, and public, must form a part, and an important part, of the employments of the Sabbath. All those who would experience its highest benefits must pray especially for the

teaching of the Holy Spirit, in dependence on Jesus Christ, and for the purpose of learning and doing his will.

The study of the Scriptures is also an employment eminently suited to the objects of the Sabbath. The day of God is peculiarly the time to study the word of God, and become more acquainted with his character and will, with his commands, his promises, his threatenings, and their fulfilment; and with the evidence which he has furnished that, when the word has gone out of his mouth, it standeth forever. This is the time, and this is the way, through grace, to inspire and strengthen confidence in God, to awaken and increase love to him, and in feelings and wishes and efforts to become like him, and thus be fitted for every good work.

"I

Without prayer and the study of the Scriptures, no person will be likely rightly to keep the Sabbath, or to experience its highest benefits. The Bible must be read with attention on other days; but on this it should be studied. In producing divine effects upon the soul, the Lord will magnify his word above. all his name. "The entrance of thy word giveth light; it giveth understanding to the simple." have more understanding than all my teachers, for thy testimonies are my meditation." That employment of mind which the Psalmist here designates as meditation on the testimonies of God, is, of all exercises upon the Sabbath, among the most useful. It is the means of life to the soul. By it God quickens, illuminates, and purifies. "Through thy precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way." "I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts." Never, till a person tries it, will he know the full benefits of treating the Sabbath as the day of God, of studying the Bible as the word of God, in order to understand the mind, apprehend the heart, and be changed into the image of God. Sweet,

then, will his words be to the taste; sweeter than honey, even the honey-comb. The Sabbath will be the most delightful of all days. Its influence for good on the body and the soul will be most happy during the whole week, and in all the relations and duties of life. Evidence will shine out like the sun, that, while the day belongs to God, it was made by him for man; and that in the keeping of it holy there is great reward.

Other books, especially those which aid us in rightly understanding the Bible and imbibing its spirit, may to advantage occupy a portion of attention on that day. Conversation, also, on subjects and in a manner adapted to promote the same ends, will be found to be useful. Children and others should be instructed in the principles and precepts of religion, and in the duties which they owe to God, to themselves, and their fellow-men, and such methods be taken as are best suited to interest them and promote their highest good.

To experience the full benefits of the Sabbath, / persons who have opportunity must also habitually attend PUBLIC WORSHIP. This is an ordinance of God, sanctioned by the example of Christ, and the duty of observing it was taught in the preaching, and exemplified in the practice, of the apostles. It is a duty, the performance of which is essential to the honor of God, and the highest good of men; reasonable in its nature, and most beneficial in its effects. No one who voluntarily and habitually neglects it, ever properly keeps the Sabbath, or experiences its highest and best effects.

But a man says, “I have the Bible and good books; I can read at home; I can meditate on divine things, and be more benefited than by hearing preaching.' That might be, if preaching were not the appointment of God, and attended with his blessing. But, No. 4.

8

as it is, no one can most honor him and benefit himself by neglecting it. "Go ye into all the world," he says to his ministers, "and preach the gospel to every creature." If it is their duty to obey him and to preach to all, it is the duty of all who have opportunity to hear. That faith which is the gift of God, which purifies the heart, which works by love, and overcomes the world, through the grace and according to the appointment of God, comes by hearing the word of God read, explained, illustrated, and applied by his ministers, whom he hath sent forth for the purpose of warning every man, and teaching every man, that they may thus present them perfect in Christ Jesus.

Were it true in any particular case, that an individual might benefit himself as much by taking his own way as by following the divine appointment, still he could not as much honor God, or benefit his fellow-men. His example would be bad; one which tends to destroy public worship, and deprive the world of its benefits. If one may stay at home, another may, and another, all may; seeking each one his own. in his own way, not the things of God in the ways of his appointment. But the truth is, their own highest good can never, in reality, be permanently promoted, except by the promotion of the glory of God and the good of their fellow-men. It was with special reference to the public worship of God that the Sabbath was appointed; and attendance upon it, and engagedness in its duties, are essential in order rightly and most usefully to keep it holy, because it is by the preaching of the gospel peculiarly that God saves those who believe. Not that the hearers are to ground their faith upon the declarations of the minister. But, while they are to hear him, and unite with the congregation in public worship, they are to prove all things, and hold fast that which is good. For this purpose they are to search the Scriptures as the