“Not all the commands,” Ruth said, trying to smile; “but you seem to have forgotten the Fourth.”
“I am not sure that I know it. I am not thoroughly posted as to the commandments—the position in which they stand at least. What is wrong, Ruth?”
“Judge Burnham, I don’t like to ride out for pleasure on Sabbath.”
“What! not with me? Is it wicked to have a pleasant time on Sabbath? I didn’t know that. I fail to see why we can’t be as good sitting together in the carriage as we are sitting together in the parlor. Or should we spend this day apart, enjoying the luxury of melancholy reflection?”
“I think you know what I mean. You are much too well versed in argument to be entirely ignorant of people’s views in regard to this day.”
“Upon my word, Ruth, I was never more innocent. I might be able to see some force in a young lady’s objection to riding out with a young gentleman, especially in a city, or in a crowded thoroughfare, though even such things may be carried to excess; but when it comes to one’s husband, and a country road where we shall not meet three people in an hour, I confess I am befogged. Susan, do you see the bearings of this case?”
“Why, I see a good many bearings which you would not admit, and possibly you could bring to bear a good many arguments which I would not admit. We start from different standpoints. It all resolves itself into whether we believe the word of God or not, and I accept it as our rule of life.”
“Why, no, it doesn’t. I believe the word of God; in a measure at least. I have respect for the Sabbath as an institution, and believe in its sacredness. I have no sort of fault to find with ‘Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.’ I believe it was a good, sensible law. But we should very likely quarrel over the word ‘holy.’ I should object to the narrowness which made it so falsely holy that I could not enjoy a ride with my wife after church, and I should have serious doubts as to whether you could prove your side of the question from the Bible.”
“Listen to one Bible argument, then,” Susan said, quietly, “and tell me what you think it means. ‘If thou turn away thy foot from doing thy pleasure on my holy day, and call the Sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honorable, and shalt honor Him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words.’ What do you think of that argument for my side, Judge Burnham?”
The gentleman addressed looked his embarrassment and annoyance. The verse quoted sounded strangely new and solemn to him. His inner consciousness was made certain that he was not ready to gauge his Sabbath employments by that rule.