No other word was needed. The girls understood their old friend’s meaning. They had heard their travelled acquaintances speak of Sundays spent in other lands, and knew how easily they had been induced to fall in with the ways of those amongst whom they found themselves.
One of yourselves told me that when abroad last summer the party of tourists found there was no English service in the town where they were, so it was settled they should travel on Sunday to their next stopping-place. “I,” wrote my girl friend, “had kept the last month’s Twilight Talk to read in the train at the time that, had I been in England, I should have been at church.” Then she related an incident that followed and brought with it a temptation to do something which would have put self before others; but, she added, “with the words I had been reading fresh in my mind, I had the strength to overcome my selfishness.”
It was very delightful to know that, even when so far from home, a dear member of our circle had been influenced for good by reading our last talk, and I am sure she will forgive my quoting this little incident, because it will give pleasure to us all and be helpful also.
You no doubt remember the Bible phrase, “a Sabbath day’s journey,” which surely suggests Sunday travelling, you will say.
It is wonderful how often we hear an expression without finding out its meaning, so there may be some of you who do not know that a Sabbath day’s journey meant seven and a half furlongs, rather less than a mile.
Now, in these days it would be impossible to confine travelling to such narrow limits, but I do venture to protest against the needless journeying on Sunday, which helps to keep many people at work who sorely need the day of rest that God ordained for them.
When, many years ago, the dear partner of my happiest days and I were travelling together, we always rested on the Sunday, if possible, in some place where we could attend church; if not, where we could spend the day peacefully, and claim the blessing promised to the “two or three.” We reaped the benefit, when we resumed our journey, in the sense of freshness and vigour, which gave keener enjoyment to every new scene and experience.
Apart from all religious sentiment, we were in these abundantly repaid for our observance of the Sabbath.
I have more to say on this subject, but it must wait until our next meeting, when we will take such glimpses of the Sabbaths of Jesus as the Bible gives us in the picture of His Manhood. We shall also have more to say about “Rest.”
(To be continued.)