"That would be one thing neglected. Then we sat longer at the table, and, though I was never intemperate, I perhaps took a little extra wine, and talked of subjects that would have been better kept out of mind."
"What difference did this make on you, body and mind, during the week?"
"My body missed its periodical rest, and was sooner tired. My mind was less bright; my conscience accused me. I exactly realised the truth of those words of old Judge Hale:
"'A Sabbath well spent brings a week of content,
And health for the toils of the morrow;
But a Sabbath profaned, whatsoe'er may be gained,
Is the certain forerunner of sorrow.'
"But that is not all. I kept during all those years an exact record of my Sabbaths, and particulars as to how and where they were spent. I also kept an account of the week which followed each, and the business done in it. I possess those memoranda now; and it is a fact that I never had a good and prosperous week in business matters after an ill-spent Sabbath, and I never had anything but a happy and prosperous one after a Sunday which had been spent in accordance with God's gracious and loving purpose in bestowing it. Well now, how do you account for this, Mr. Baird?"
"I fancy we should both account for it in the same way, my friend," said the elder gentleman. "We have not forgotten those words spoken by the Prophet Isaiah to the Israel of olden time but as true as ever to the Israel of God to-day: 'If thou turn away thy foot from the Sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on My holy day and call the Sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honourable; and shalt honour Him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words: then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.'"
"Yes, I believe the words with all my heart. It is a good gift for the body, a blessing to the soul, a time bestowed on us here to fit us to enjoy eternity. Thank God for the Sabbath!"
Mr. Jackson paused, and his friend added a fervent "Amen."
As the testimony and experience of a business man in these busy days, I thought this conversation worth recording. I trust it may carry home a lesson to some of those who deny themselves the enjoyments and the privileges attached to God's good gift of one day in seven.
"See, for that the Lord hath given you the Sabbath." "Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy."