Sundays observe: think, when the bells do chime, Who would not haste, nay, give, to see the show?" What use shall we make of the rest of the day? Shall we sleep? Shall we read secular books? Shall we talk shop? Shall we drive, visit? How shall we spend it? We have one principle to apply to all. As Christians, to us this is the day of high privilege. God has thrown it as a dyke across the current of the week. "So far," he says, in our behalf," shalt thou come, and no farther." Undisturbed by the cares and pressure of the secular life, for this one day in seven, He would have His children to Himself. Whatever will promote that fellowship with God-that sense of privilege and of nearness to IIim-we may do; whatever hinders, we may not. We would secure the separation of this day from other days; not impair it. Despite our best endeavors, the week presses upon the Sabbath, throwing lines of care, and thought, and conversation, and secular duties, far into and quite across the day. At best, we cannot keep it all. The anxious and weary mind sometimes will not be turned from the thoughts of the week; the household must be ministered to; accidents will happen; thoughtless visitors interpose. But we will plan to guard the day. We will draw sharp distinctions between this day and others. It is worth something to wear different clothes. The business suit is laid aside, if only for its associations. We will read different books. We will have some reserved especially because they tone up and enlighten and make real the spiritual life. Even the children shall have their Sunday toys, if need be, and their Sunday occupation. We will give them time, hard to find during the week, for talk of what lies deepest in the heart; of God, and His word; of the soul; of temptations; of duty; of right and wrong; of the pleasant things that conduce to confidence and bind parents to their children. We will find some time to be alone. You business men need a little hour to dress and undress your soul, to mark the progress the devil may have made in corroding it; to bring it back to God, and renew the cleansing in the atoning blood of Christ. How much we all need the quiet hour to renew our intercourse with Jesus; to assure ourselves that we are indeed accepted of the Beloved. Moses' face shone when he came down from the mount. Is it not worth the while of you fathers and mothers, and of you Christian men of business, to show to your children the face so constantly darkened and hardened with care, now and again sweetened and brightened with the light that comes from such close intercourse with God? Will such a Sunday be a somber day in a Christian home? Rather it will be the sweetest, purest, gladdest day of all. It is the day when the home is bathed in the love of God, as the earth is bathed in the sunlight. Even the youngest child will feel its blessedness and peace. |