The Sabbath

To the sincere, pious, penitent Christian, the Sabbath 
is a holy and a blessed day. Oppressed by the cares, toils 
and duties of the week, the Sabbath comes to his relief, 
like as a spring of water to the refreshment of a thirsty 
traveller, in his journey through a dry and desert land. 
It reminds him of duties higher and holier than those of 
labouring for the honour and riches of this world. And 
while it reminds him that the period of his existence on 
earth is short, it reminds him also of a never ending exis- 
tence beyond the grave. It reminds him that he is " fear- 
fully and wonderfully made," that he is the creature of 
an invisible Creator, to whom he is indebted for his life, 
and for all the wonderful physical, moral and intellectual 
faculties with which he is endowed. It affords him a fit 
season " to look through nature up to nature's God," to 
contemplate his infinite perfections, and to admire the 
wisdom and goodness which has given him an habitation 
so exactly adapted to his capacities and wants. And what 
is of yet greater importance, it affords him an opportunity 
to read and reflect upon the revelation of God to man, that 
revelation which discloses the character of his Creator, his 
own character, the duties required of him in this life, and 
what he must do to inherit a life of immortality and bles- 
sedness in that world of spirits into which his soul must 
soon take its flight. Bigelow