WORKS OF NECESSITY AND OF EMERGENCY.
In judging whether any work may or may not be lawfully done on the sabbath, find out the reason and object for doing it. Exceptions are to be made for works of necessity and works of emergency. By ”works of necessity” I mean those acts that Christ justified when He approved of leading one’s ox or ass to water. Watchmen, police, stokers on board steamers, and many others have engagements that necessitate their working on the sabbath. By ”works of emergency” I mean those referred to by Christ when He approved of pulling an ox or an ass out of a pit on the sabbath day. In case of fire or sickness a man is often called on to do things that would not otherwise be justifiable.
A Christian man was once urged by his employer to work on Sunday. “Does not your Bible say that if your ass falls into a pit on the sabbath, you may pull him out?” “Yes,” replied the other; “but if the ass had the habit of falling into the same pit every sabbath, I would either fill up the pit or sell the ass.”
Every man must settle the question as it effects unnecessary work, with his own conscience.
No man should make another work seven days in the week. One day is demanded for rest. A man who has to work the seven days has nothing to look forward to, and life becomes humdrum. Many Christians are guilty in this respect.