It is the Sabbath day, with its calm and elevated duties and holy
repose, that subdues animosity, lays the restless spirit of vanity,
checks habitual vice, and awakens all the charities and sweet
courtesies of life.

This is the true rest of the Sabbath; the rest from vanity, from
contention, from sin. This is the true preaching, the practice of
Christian duties, the performance of works of love, the exercise of
the holiest affections of our nature. This is the true service of
God; doing good to His human family. This is the true knowledge of
Him, "that we love one another."

Doubtless the instructions from the pulpit do, in many instances,
enlighten the ignorant, quicken the languid and the cold-hearted,
and alarm or persuade the sinful and the erring; and, on this
account alone, the day is a great good, and should be welcomed.
However, were any one doubtful of the blessing that attends it, I
would not reason with him, but I would, if it were possible, lead
him, when he knew not what day it was, where he could witness, as I
have, such a scene as I have just described; and when he exclaimed,
"What does it all mean? What day is it?" I would simply answer, "It
is the Sabbath day."




THE CHILD AT HER MOTHER'S GRAVE.

[TRANSLATED FROM THE GERMAN.]