Article April 26, 1952 Issue

THE FOURTH COMMANDMENT

THOMAS E. PRICE

The fourth commandment begins by requiring that the Sabbath day shall be kept holy. It also includes the statement that the Lord blessed and hallowed the seventh day. The original purpose, however, of setting this day apart as a day of rest, was not always achieved. Different religions have set apart different days for special observance. The Mohammedan sets aside Friday, the Jew Saturday, the Christian Sunday, but no one day of the week intrinsically possesses more spiritual characteristics than any other. To many, Sunday is just a day in which to relax from material labor, a day for material pleasure or for prolonged sleep in the morning hours. For many, it has ceased to be a special and happy opportunity for spiritual study, growth, and refreshment.

One reference in the Bible to a holy day, the original meaning of holiday, is to be found in the forty-second Psalm, and it is significant that the observance of this day by the Psalmist and the multitude consisted in going to "the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise." What a happy event that must have been! No wearisome rush to and from some scene of supposed pleasure, resulting in the yearning for another holiday in which to recover. Church attendance on that early Biblical occasion was no dreary duty, nor is it today to Christian Scientists, who have found in attending services gladness instead of gloom, praise instead of penance, inspiration instead of irritation.

Millions of mortals long for the Sabbath day of rest; but to them it seems as remote as ever. Organizations for peace have failed to make it an actuality in human experience. It is well, however, to remember that the achievement of true rest is individual and spiritual. The progress of one is not dependent on that of another, nor need his emergence from the illusion of life in matter be impeded by others. This was, in fact, proved by Christ Jesus, who ascended, or entered fully into his rest, some three years after the beginning of his ministry.

Enjoy 1 free Sentinel article or audio program each month, including content from 1898 to today.

Send a comment to the editors
NEXT IN THIS ISSUE
Poem
OUR DWELLING PLACE
April 26, 1952
Contents

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit