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    Christian will be anxious to secure both for himself and others . Whether , therefore , the Sabbath be regarded simply as a day of rest , or valued as an opportunity of improving the mind and advancing the interests of the soul , the possession of it is equally desirable , '

    In tEese ^ seinTiments w ~ e" ~ cordially concur , and cannot forbear wishing that the * Founders' had taken their stand upon this ground , and this . ground alone , for here they might have built an impregnable fortress , which true and faithful soldiers might have defended against all assaults .

    If the latter part of the sentence which we first quoted is meant to imply that extraordinary judgments fair upon those who ( Jo not religiously employ the Sabbath , we think the assertion is entirely destitute of foundation . We see not the proofs . It appears to us altogether contrary to the ways and workings o . f Divine Wisdom . But ; it is as clear to us ,

    that they who neglect necessary rest for the body , and moral and religious instruction for the mind , do in tfiis way * bring down on themselves the disr pleasure of Almighty God : ' they suffer the natural and necessary penalties of their neglect , wearing out their frames , and depriving themselves of

    tfaat spiritual food which is required for the soul ' s health and happiness ,, whether it be obtained in the solitary closet , or in the public assemblies of God's worshippers . They fail to grow in grace , and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour , Jesus Christ 5 than which a greater calamity cannot fall upon any one

    professing the Christian name : our religion is little worth unless it be progressive . They know not the Saviour ' s peace . They are not fortified against the world ' s assaults . They l ? ave not the refuge which h provided against despair , the utj&r prostration of'the soul till it cleaves to the very dust . Their spiritual condition daily becomes WQrse , It

    is the appointed and . unfailing consequence of their utter neglect of religious culture . We state our opinion concerning the necessity of rest and opportunity for religious improvement in connexion with Sunday ; but hope not

    to be misunderstood as making a distinction-between—holy—and ^ -profane days ; or , as most distantly intimating that the cultivation of religion is to be left solely to a day of entire leisure : for , where this is done , religion is very apt to degenerate into a mere formality . A time may come

    when pecuniary gain and the necessary wisdom of this life , will not be esteemed the proper objects of unremitting and exclusive pursuit for six days out of seven , but when a due portion of every day will . be devoted to religious pursuits ~ -when an

    enlightened obedience to our Lord ' s command , ' Be not over-anxious for the morrow / shall lead men to take and give such time for bodily rest , as shall m ^ e '^ f& ^ v ^ fS M ^^ f life , both in its narrowest and in its

    most extended sense , in its highest and in its lowest duties i only a proper and vigorous exercise of the various human faculties . Every day will then be a Sabbath , holy to God , and blessed to men , and any thing like ritual observance may pe done away . Till then we agree

    in the propriety of setting apart one day in the week for rest and reli- ? gious exercises ; arid the reasons in favour of Sunday are such as come home to the heart and tjie judgment of every one who rejoices in the Saviour ' s labours , sufferings , and triumph .

    It is of immense importance , in the present state of society , toset apart a day for rest and religious exercises $ but the real hallowing of the day is an individual act . JEJach mitnnwho feels its importance , jnusfc set it apart for himself in his own j ^ earfc ; and his conscientious erpploymenjLof it , according to his situation in life , and connexiQfl with his iel-

    Untitled Article

    34 tlNITAitlAN CHRONICLE .

• Citation
  • Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Feb. 1, 1833, page 234, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2607/page/2/