THE SABBATH: QUOTES FROM E.G WHITE

Remember the Sabbath Day to Keep it Holy
By Mrs. E. G. White, March 31, 1909

Letters have come to me from several persons with the request that I should write in regard to the manner in which we should observe the Sabbath. We have the Bible plain and clear upon this subject. We should not leave the work of the six working days to be done on the Sabbath. Through Moses the Lord said to the children of Israel, "Tomorrow is the rest day of the holy Sabbath of the Lord; bake that which you will bake today, and seethe that which ye will seethe, and that which is left lay up to keep until the morning." "The manna was like coriander seed, and the color like bdellium. And the people went about and gathered it, and ground it in the mills or beat with a mortar and baked it in pans and made cakes of it." Thus there was something to be done in the preparing even of the heaven-sent bread for the children of Israel. This was a test for them. God desired to see whether or not they would keep the Sabbath holy. The Lord told the children of Israel that this work must be done on the preparation day--Friday. On that day they were to bake that which they would bake and seethe that which they would seethe. {LUH, March 31, 1909 par. 1}

The word of God comes down through the ages to this time. This direction from the lips of Jehovah is for our spiritual interest, or it would not have been spoken. God would have the Sabbath kept as a day of rest and spiritual devotion. Any careless inattention in reference to this is displeasing to Him. {LUH, March 31, 1909 par. 2}

The Bible is a perfect guide; and if its pages are carefully studied with hearts willing to understand, no one need err upon this question. Here is presented with great clearness the duties and obligations of man to his God and to his fellow-man. The word of God obeyed will not degrade him. It will elevate the mind and soften the heart, and give peace and gladness to the soul. The Word obeyed never leads to the forgetfulness of God, but to remembrance of Him. In its pages are distinctly marked out the relations we sustain to each other and to God. {LUH, March 31, 1909 par. 3}

Immorality and ignorance prevail in the world, but it is because the carnal heart chooses darkness rather than light. The light shines from the written word, in bright clear rays, and if ignorance now exists, it is because men do not for themselves become diligent students of the pages of knowledge that they may become intelligent. The intelligent mind is one of Heaven's most precious gifts. It is beyond estimate, and God demands the full improvement of this talent. {LUH, March 31, 1909 par. 4}

The Bible is a guide in the management of children, and if parents desire, they may find a course marked out for the education and training of their children, that they may make no blunders. If the rules laid down for parental authority were employed, the workers would not be called upon so often to settle church trials, and be made to weep and mourn over the perversity of those members of the church who seem uncontrollable, because, when they were children, they followed their own way, and have brought into their religious experience their unbending will. But when this Guide is followed, parents, instead of giving ultimate indulgence to their children, will use more of the chastening rod; instead of being blind to their faults, and perverted tempers, and alive only to their virtues, they will have a clear discernment, and will look upon these things in the light of the Bible. They will know that they must command their children in the right way. If parents, instead of abusing their children and provoking them to wrath by their uncontrollable tempers, would see in the word of God that they must learn as children in the school of Christ, the lessons of self-control, of meekness and lowliness of heart, there would not be so great inconsistencies revealed in the government of children in professedly Christian families. Threatenings, scoldings, and blows are dealt under the control of blind passion. And then, when they are not out of patience or in a passion, they go to the other extreme, caressing, kissing, and indulging them in everything they had forbidden. Many parents who are called the best of men and women are thus educating their children to become transgressors of the law of God, to be inmates of the prisons and alms-houses. They bring them up with passions unrestrained, tempers ungoverned, and with but little pains-taking effort on their part to educate them in moral principles. Could such parents look into the future, and see the path into which they are placing the feet of their children, they would come to their senses before it is too late, before the evil that has been left uncorrected has become moulded and fashioned into their character; but they allowed them to be controlled by the enemy of man. Satan is their chosen leader. It is while men sleep that the enemy sows tares in the heart. The Lord bade Moses enjoin upon the Israelites that they would teach their children the commandments of God, when they should rise up and when they should sit down, when they go out and when they come in, and when they should walk with them by the way. The many now who are bemoaning the waywardness of their children have only themselves to blame. But let these look to their Bibles, and see what God enjoins upon them as parents and guardians. Let them take up their long-neglected duty. They need to humble themselves and to repent before God for their neglect to follow His directions in the training of their children. They need to change their own course of action and follow the Bible strictly and carefully as their guide and counsellor.

It is a great work to educate, discipline, and train minds for the service of God here, and to dwell in the courts above forever. In the world to come your children will be just what you have made them in this world. "Remember" is placed at the very first of the fourth commandment. Parents, remember the Sabbath day yourselves to keep if holy; and if you do this, you are giving the proper instruction to your children. They will reverence God's holy day. {LUH, April 7, 1909 par. 1}

Let it be your study to select and make your homes as far from Sodom and Gomorrah as you can. Keep out of the large cities. If possible, make your home in the quiet retirement of the country, even if you never can become wealthy by doing so. Come where there is the best influence. Give your children employment. Let them learn some trade. Teach them to be useful on some piece of ground. If you do not keep them busy, the devil will. Children have active minds, and they need to be employed in lifting the burdens of practical life. They should never be left to pick up their employment. Parents should control this matter themselves. {LUH, April 7, 1909 par. 2}

Ministers' children are in many cases the most neglected children in the world, for the reason that their father can be with them but little, and they are left to choose their own amusement and employment. But the first work of the father should be to situate his children so that they will have work to do, and receive an education in physical work as well as in hard study of books. It may be a gratification to have your children with you; but if you are so situated that you cannot give them employment, place them where they can work and employ their God-given powers in useful labor. They will come to you in the end far stronger in moral powers and in a knowledge that will be of advantage to them and you. {LUH, April 7, 1909 par. 3}

Children are a heritage from the Lord, and the Lord requires of parents that they should give special instruction to their children. Like Abraham, they are to command their children and their household after them. If they neglect this part of the work, they are disqualifying themselves to care for the flock of God. {LUH, April 7, 1909 par. 4}

Parents, do not select a business that will constantly stand in the way to obstruct the exercise of your Christian duties, and where you must imperil your Christian principles. Be firm, be faithful where you are. You are on the battle field. Bring moral courage and firm principle to your aid. Wherever Providence has placed you, take up your God-appointed work. Serve Him most faithfully, but enter into no business relations with men; do not become partners with those who do not revere the Sabbath, and who laugh at your attempt to keep it. They are constantly working out Satan's devices that you should bring worldly business into the Sabbath. They make it their boast that they are just as good as you are. Keep holy the Sabbath day at whatever sacrifice to yourself. Never allow the holy day of the Lord to be disregarded by yourself or by your children. {LUH, April 7, 1909 par. 5}

And wherever you make your home, there erect your altar. Seek the blessing of God upon your home and your children, morning and evening. {LUH, April 7, 1909 par. 6}

The Lord declares, "Them that honor Me I will honor." The reason that there are so many unhappy, self-willed, ungrateful children, is that they are not educated to revere God, to love Him, to pray to Him, to keep His commandments holy. With the one hand of persevering faith lay hold of your children; with the other hand lifted to heaven, grasp the merciful hand of Jesus Christ. Christian education is needed in your home. All through the week, keep the Lord's holy Sabbath in view; for that day is to be devoted to the service of God. It is the day when the hands are to rest from worldly employment, and when the soul needs to receive special attention. {LUH, April 7, 1909 par. 7}

From the very cradle the children are to be educated and right impressions to be given to the mind. They are to be instructed in regard to the knowledge of God and His holy commandments. Neither infants, nor children, nor youth, should hear an impatient word from father, mother, or any member of the household; for they receive impressions very early in life, and what parents make of them today they will be tomorrow, and the next day and the next. The first lessons impressed upon the child are never forgotten. {LUH, April 7, 1909 par. 8} (To be continued.)

Then search the Scriptures, parents. Be not only hearers, but doers of the Word. Meet God's standard in the education of your children. Let them see that you are preparing for the Sabbath on the working days of the week. All preparation should be made, every stitch taken, on the six working days; all cooking for the Sabbath should be done on the preparation day. It is possible to do this, and if you make it a rule, you can do it. The commandment is, "Bake that which ye will bake today, and seethe that ye will seethe, for tomorrow is the rest of the holy Sabbath." That day is not to be given to the cooking of food, or pleasure seeking, or worldly employment. Explain your work and its purpose to your children, and let them help themselves and their parents in their preparation to keep the Sabbath according to the commandment. Lead your children to consider the Sabbath a delight, the day of days, the holy of the Lord, honorable. Do not allow yourself to spend the precious hours of the Sabbath in your bed. The heads of the house should be astir early. {LUH, April 14, 1909 par. 1}

On Friday, the clothing of the children looked after during the week, should all be laid out by their own hands under the direction of the mother, so that they can dress quickly, without any confusion or rushing about, and hasty speeches. Dress; then come to the table without levity. Boisterous noise and contention should not be allowed any day of the week; but on the Sabbath all should be quietness. No loud-toned commands should be heard at any time; but on the Sabbath they are entirely out of place. This is God's holy day; the day that He has set apart to commemorate His creative works; a day which He has sanctified and hallowed. {LUH, April 14, 1909 par. 2}

In many families boots and shoes are blacked and brushed, and stitches taken, all because these little odds and ends were not done on Friday. They did not "Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy." It is dishonoring God to make the Sabbath a feast day, a day of baking and boiling, of blacking boots and performing work that should be done the six working days. Do not dishonor God by bringing down its sacredness to the level of the common working days. {LUH, April 14, 1909 par. 3}

In the morning the family should gather about the table quietly, and it would be well that if on the Sabbath there should ever be a simple, palatable meal, yet something that would be considered a treat, something that they do not have every day in the week. Then, before or after the meal, should come the family worship. This should be a service in which all the children should take part. All should have their Bibles, each reading a verse or two. Then a simple hymn should be sung, followed not by a long and wearisome prayer, but by a simple petition, telling the Lord in the simplest manner their needs, and expressing their gratitude for God's mercies and blessings. This invites Jesus as a welcome guest into your house and heart. In the family, long prayers of remote things are not in place, and make the hour of prayer weariness, when it should be considered a privilege and a blessing. Make the season one of interest and joy; never let the children consider it a burden. {LUH, April 14, 1909 par. 4}

On the Sabbath, parents should give all the time they can to their children, thus making it a delight. I have seen many families where father, mother, and the older members of the household, take themselves away from the younger children, and leave them to amuse themselves as best they can. After a while, the children become weary and go out of doors, and engage in play or some kind of mischief. Thus the Sabbath has no sacred significance to them. In pleasant weather the parents can take their children out for a walk in the fields and forest, and talk to them of the lofty trees, the shrubs and flowers, and teach them that God is the Maker of all these things. Then teach them the reasons for the Sabbath, that it is to commemorate God's created works. After working six days, He rested the seventh, and blessed and hallowed the day of His rest. Thus the most profitable instruction can be given. {LUH, April 14, 1909 par. 5}

The sweet story of Bethlehem can be repeated. Present before them Christ as the babe in Bethlehem, a child obedient to His father and mother, a youth industrious, helping to support the family. Thus you can teach your children that Christ was a child like themselves, and that He knows the trials and perplexities, the temptations, the weariness, the joys, and the happiness of youth. Read the interesting stories in the Bible history. Thus the day to them will be the best of the seven. But if the parents loiter in bed on the Sabbath and rise late, all is confusion and bustle to prepare for breakfast and Sabbath-school, the day becomes weariness, the Sabbath desecrated, no holy feelings are inspired to come into the home. The Sabbath-school becomes a dread. I counsel you, my Sabbath-keeping brethren and sisters, to "Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy." You must change greatly. Many of your habits and practices on the Sabbath are displeasing to God. If you would train your children to observe the Sabbath according to the commandment, you must do it by precept and example. The deep engraving of truth in the heart is never wholly effaced. The impressions made on the heart in early life are seen in after years. They may be buried, but they will seldom be obliterated. Teach your children that the commandments of God must become the rule of their lives. Circumstances may occur to separate the children from their parents and from their home, but the lessons of instruction given in childhood and youth will be a blessing to them throughout their lifetime. {LUH, April 14, 1909 par. 6}

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Chap. Seventy-Nine - Sabbath--
The Day of Delight Prevalent Disregard for the Sabbath.--I have been shown that very many of the parents who profess to believe the solemn message for this time have not trained their children for God. They have not restrained themselves and have been irritated with anyone who attempted to restrain them. They have not by living faith daily bound their children upon the altar of the Lord. Many of these youth have been allowed to transgress the Fourth Commandment, by seeking their own pleasure upon God's holy day. They have felt no compunctions of conscience in going about the streets on the Sabbath for their own amusement. Many go where they please, and do what they please; and their parents are so fearful of displeasing them that, imitating the management of Eli, they lay no commands upon them. {CG 527.1}

Make the Sabbath a Delight.--All who love God should do what they can to make the Sabbath a delight, holy and honorable. They cannot do this by seeking their own pleasure in sinful, forbidden amusements. Yet they can do much to exalt the Sabbath in their families and make it the most interesting day of the week. We should devote time to interesting our children. A change will have a happy influence upon them. We can walk out with them in the open air; we can sit with them in the groves and in the bright sunshine, and give their restless minds something to feed upon by conversing with them upon the works of God, and can inspire them with love and reverence by calling their attention to the beautiful objects in nature. {CG 536.1} The Sabbath should be made so interesting to our families that its weekly return will be hailed with joy. In no better way can parents exalt and honor the Sabbath than by devising means to impart proper instruction to their families and interesting them in spiritual things, giving them correct views of the character of God and what He requires of us in order to perfect Christian characters and attain to eternal life. Parents, make the Sabbath a delight, that your children may look forward to it and have a welcome in their hearts for it. {CG 536.2}

Make Friday the Preparation Day.--On Friday let the preparation for the Sabbath be completed. See that all the clothing is in readiness, and that all the cooking is done. Let the boots be blacked, and the baths be taken. It is possible to do this. If you make it a rule, you can do it. The Sabbath is not to be given to the repairing of garments, to the cooking of food, to pleasure seeking, or to any other worldly employment. Before the setting of the sun, let all secular work be laid aside, and all secular papers be put out of sight. Parents, explain your work and its purpose to your children, and let them share in your preparation to keep the Sabbath according to the commandment. {CG 528.2} In many families [on Sabbath] boots and shoes are blacked and brushed, and stitches are taken, all because these little odds and ends were not done on Friday. They did not "remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy." . . . {CG 528.3} On Friday the clothing of the children is to be looked after. During the week they should be all laid out by their own hands under the direction of the mother, so that they can dress quietly, without any confusion or rushing about and hasty speeches. {CG 528.4}