That we all have much to learn of theory, we are ready to admit; and that we ought all to learn much of practice is much more apparent. In the manner of keeping the Lord's day we are, perhaps, as much united as others; and yet there is not a universal agreement in:, some very important items. We have learned that to call the Christian Lord's day the (Jewish) Sabbath, is wrong; and upon this error some of us are very fond to dwell. We have learned also that to meet together on the first day of the week, and to attend to the apostolic teaching, the fellowship, the breaking of bread and prayers, is right. But how these several duties shall be attended to--when, where, and by whom, and, particularly, how we shall spend that portion of the day in which we are not engaged in those duties, or how to demean ourselves while they are being attended to--we have not so well learned. We have great reason, therefore, to investigate this subject anew, and with more earnest, anxious care. While there is a manifest practical error amongst us, touching this important subject, should we not set ourselves to work with fervent, humble prayer, determined never, never to give up, till the observance of this hallowed day accords with what its name imports--till it is with us emphatically the Lord's Day, and not ours--till we learn not to do our own will, or our own pleasure upon it, but to consecrate ourselves entirely to things spiritual and eternal?

      Some of our young members have not, it would seem, learned that there is any importance to be attached to the frame of mind, or mood of spirit with which we enter the house of God, or that they should feel any unusual restraint on leaving it, because of the Lord's day. Hence, some--alas! a great portion of them--spend much more time preparing their bodies than their souls for the solemn assembly of the saints. And after meeting they can visit, or laugh, or talk, not only with the same careless feeling and air that we observe in them on other days, but sometimes with all the glee and lightness of the world? If they have not heard preaching, they have not learned anything, and feel almost as if they had not been to church at all, though they have partaken of the consecrated elements. If they have heard [162] preaching, and have not been mightily penetrated by it, it was, perhaps, because of the worldly state of their hearts. And if others have been made to feel deeply their sins, and the need of a Saviour, their light, worldly, fashionable conversation soon destroys their solemnity of feeling--steals the word out of their hearts, and prepares them to join in the giddy chat and merry laugh. Ought not such persons to be taught that they are as the fowls of the air (the messengers of Satan"!) stealing away the good seed from the hearts of the wayside hearers?

      But it would require much time to speak fully of these things. We are in favor of a general investigation meeting, with all who may feel disposed to attend; and of smaller meetings amongst ourselves, for the investigation of these several particulars. Meanwhile, we would drop these suggestions for the reflection of all our dear Christian readers.--Christian Journal.

C. K., Harbinger, 1846, page 114.      

Source:

C. K. "Observing the Lord's Day." The Millennial Harbinger 17 (February 1846): 114-115.

[MHA2 162-163]