The Handbook of the Sabbath

Introduction:

(One of the great sins of our day is the desecration of the Sabbath Day. There appears to be an utter disregard for the Lord’s Day. The Lord is not in all their thoughts. It is one of the institutions given us by the Lord in the state of rectitude, the other being the institution of marriage. These two institutions are above all to the honor of God, and in the second place for the protection of the family, thus, for the welfare of man. With these two institutions the Lord has placed a hedge about us.

The great breach in this hedge was made by man in Paradise. By nature he stands unprotected, totally depraved, a slave of sin and Satan. Nevertheless, the demands of the law remain the same as before the fall. Even though a curse lies upon all and everything here below, yet the Lord pronounces His blessings upon those who walk in His ways and according to His commandments and statutes.

A small booklet has come into our possession, which is entitled “The Handbook of the Sabbath,” written by Rev. Justin Edwards. Although it was originally in the English language, it was translated into the Holland language. Contained in it 147 pages are 80 sections dealing with various aspects of the Sabbath and the family. With the help of the Lord it is our desire to translate this booklet and place it month by month in our publication. It is our prayer that it may be to the honor of the Lord and the welfare of our never-dying souls. L.W.)

Knowledge is the food by which she is strengthened and increased with piety, wisdom, utility, and salvation.

The end for which the Sabbath was intended, and the reasons why the same should be held in reverence.

Man is mortal and immortal. His body will soon die and become as the dust. However, his soul shall live eternally in a state of consciousness, knowledge, morality, and responsibility. Knowledge is the food by which she is strengthened and increased with piety, wisdom, utility, and salvation. Of all the knowledge by which she is enabled, the knowledge of God and Jesus Christ is the most important. This is life eternal.

The great aim of Jehovah in all His dealings with man is to reveal Himself to him, and to grant him a pure understanding of His character and will. This is intended to bring him to the exercise of the upright inclination, and the keeping of a straight course in the dealings concerning Him, themselves, and others. By that he will glorify his Creator, himself, and especially be a blessing to his neighbor.

To that end the Lord has stretched out the heavens and established the earth, created man, and made him lord over all the world below. Therefore He made various institutions and laws for him. Among these was also the institution of the Sabbath - a day of weekly rest from temporal matters and cares, of special consecration to the public worship of God, and for the promotion of the spiritual and eternal interest of man.

The first great institution made by God for man in Paradise was that of marriage. This laid the foundation of the family and the social relationships among men.

The second great institution, also established for man in Paradise, was that of the Sabbath.

The second great institution, also established for man in Paradise, was that of the Sabbath. This was intended to govern the family, to establish the right time of labor and rest, and also the consecration of the public worship, and the spiritual and eternal interests. This ordinance was of such importance to the honor of God and the welfare of man that, in regard to this, God, as it were, governed His own actions in the creation of the world. He Himself labored six days, then appeared to the entire creation, and - rested one. Thus God established and authorized this institution of six days of labor and one day of rest by His exalted and holy example.

This was the relationship which throughout the ages should be followed by man, according to their ability, and sufficient to provide their needs. In regard to this, time itself was not only divided into days or months or years, or measured in seasons due to the rotation of the earth or other heavenly bodies, but also in weeks -time periods of seven days. This was six for labor and one for rest and special consecration to spiritual matters. This division of time, measured by the actions and will of God and by the ability and needs of man, should be for all those who know and follow His will. It should be as binding and authoritative as if they had their cause in the rotation of the earth and the course of heavenly bodies. Through all ages it would be a sign of the covenant between God and His people, a symbol and foretaste of the rest which remains for them, and a special time of preparation for their eternal joy.

Not only on this foundation did Jehovah Himself keep this day, but hallowed the same, and for this special purpose set it apart from the other days. He blessed the same, yes, with such a fulness of blessings, that they, who hallow the same, not only on that day, but on all others days of the week, are showered with these blessings. They are, according to body and soul, blessed in all their ways, in their going out and coming in.

— (to be continued) —

Lord, Teach Us!

Teach us, Lord, our days to number,
Our hearts to wisdom to apply;
Give Thy grace and give Thy Spirit,
That unto Jesus we might fly.

Show us, Lord, that as a vapor
Our life doth come and disappear,
That Thou cans’t all us any moment
For Thy judgment to appear.

Let us not be taken up
With this trifling world of sin;
Grant us to be found of Thee,
Have Thy kingdom reign within.

Time is of so great a value,
Yet we waste so much away;
Let this evil not invest us,
But bestir us every day.

Thou alone art even worthy
Of all the powers which we possess;
So grant, Oh Lord, that we may ever
Worship Thee in righteousness.

— Jack Swets

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