Vol. 24 No. 2 Summer 2009 Vol. 24 No. 2 Summer 2009 Vol. 24 No. 2 Summer 2009 Vol. 24 No. 2 Summer 2009

REMEMBER THE SABBATH DAYREMEMBER THE SABBATH DAYREMEMBER THE SABBATH DAYREMEMBER THE SABBATH DAY

Magazine of

THE CANADIAN

Lord's DayASSOCIATION

“FOR THE PURPOSE OF PRESERVINGTHE SANCTITY OF THE LORD’S DAY.”

“Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thywork: But the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not doany work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, northy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: For in six days the LORD madeheaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day, wherefore

Canadian Lord’s Day Association P.O. Box 20156 Woodstock, ONN4S-8X8 Fax-Phone (519)456-8814 Email: clda@canada.comCharity Reg.# 887423234RR0001

DONATIONS & FEESCLDA - C/O Mary Byl600 Lynden Rd. Brantford, ONN3T 5M1 (519)647-2707Membership fee: $10.00 per annum

LITERATURE REQUESTSMr. Jan Droogendyk476 4th Conc. W. RR#2Waterdown, ON, L0R 2H2Tel: (905) 689-8908

EDITORRev. D. H. Kranendonk69 Albert St., Mitchell, ONN0K 1N0 (519)348-0296 Email: kranendonk@frcna.org

AUXILIARIESChilliwack, British ColumbiaBill Klaassen10060 Sussex Drive, Rosedale, B.C.V0X 1X0 (604)794-7737

Norwich, OntarioReindert JansenR.R.# 1, Norwich, ONN0J 1P0 (519)468-3864

Lethbridge, Alberta David VandenBrinkBox 1369 Picture Butte, ABT0K 1V0 (403)381-0642

COUNCIL MEMBERSChairman Rev. L. J. Bilkes

Phone/Fax: 905-627-3187Vice-Chairman Rev. A. VerhoefSecretary Jonathan CoatesTreasurer Mr. W. VanderHorst

OUR BASIS• Belief in the triune God whose grace is manifested in thelove and righteousness of God the Father, the redeemingwork of God the Son, and the quickening power of Godthe Holy Ghost.

• Belief in the essential Deity of the Lord Jesus Christ, HisIncarnation and Virgin Birth, the truthfulness of all Hiswords, His all sufficient atoning vicarious death uponCalvary for sin, His bodily Resurrection, Ascension, andComing Again.

• Belief in the whole Bible consisting of the 39 Books ofthe Old Testament and the 27 Books of the NewTestament as the inspired Word of God, and therefore trueand Divinely authoritative and as God’s sufficientrelevation in all matters of doctrine and practice.

• Belief that all men have sinned and come short of theglory of God: and in the necessity of the New Birth by theHoly Spirit in those who become children of God throughfaith in Jesus Christ.

• Belief in the Divine Authority and perpetual obligation ofthe Christian Sabbath or Lord’s Day and conviction of thenecessity that all effectual assertion, observance anddefence of the Lord’s Day rest, must be on this basis.

• Belief that in asserting the obligation of the Lord’s Daythe Gospel of the grace of God through Jesus Christshould be proclaimed.

Brian BoesterdRick BoumanJan DroogendykJohn HeikoopRev. D. H. KranendonkLen Overbeek

John StubbeRev. A. Verhoef

Peter VandenBergWilliam Vanderhorst

Gilbert Zekveld

Note: All unsigned articles are written by the editor.

Here is another instance of thatblessed reformation in whichNehemiah was so active. He revivedSabbath-sanctification, and main-tained the authority of the fourthcommandment; and a very gooddeed this was for the house of Godand the offices thereof, for, whereholy time is over-looked and madenothing of, it is not strange if all holyduties be neglected. Here is,

I. A Remonstrance of the Abuse The law of the Sabbath was a verystrict and much insisted one, andwith good reason, for religion is neverin the throne while Sabbaths aretrodden under foot. But Nehemiahdiscovered even in Judah, amongthose to whom Sabbaths were givenfor a sign, this law wretchedlyviolated. His own eyes were hisinformers. Magistrates who are incare to discharge their duty aright willas much as may be see with theirown eyes, and accomplish a diligentsearch to find out that which is evil.To his great grief it appeared thatthere was a general profanation ofthe Sabbath, that holy day, even inJerusalem, that holy city, which wasso lately dedicated to God. 1. The husbandmen trod their wine-presses and brought home their cornon that day (v. 15), though there wasan express command that in earing-time, and in harvest-time, they shouldrest on the Sabbaths (Ex. 34:21),because then they might be tempted

MEDITATION

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- Matthew Henry

“15In those days saw I in Judah sometreading wine presses on the sabbath, andbringing in sheaves, and lading asses; asalso wine, grapes, and figs, and all mannerof burdens, which they brought intoJerusalem on the sabbath day: and Itestified against them in the day whereinthey sold victuals. 16There dwelt men ofTyre also therein, which brought fish, andall manner of ware, and sold on thesabbath unto the children of Judah, and inJerusalem. 17Then I contended with thenobles of Judah, and said unto them, Whatevil thing is this that ye do, and profane thesabbath day? 18Did not your fathers thus,and did not our God bring all this evil uponus, and upon this city? yet ye bring morewrath upon Israel by profaning thesabbath. 19And it came to pass, that whenthe gates of Jerusalem began to be darkbefore the sabbath, I commanded that thegates should be shut, and charged thatthey should not be opened till after thesabbath: and some of my servants set I atthe gates, that there should no burden bebrought in on the sabbath day. 20So themerchants and sellers of all kind of warelodged without Jerusalem once or twice.21Then I testified against them, and saidunto them, Why lodge ye about the wall? ifye do so again, I will lay hands on you.From that time forth came they no more onthe sabbath. 22And I commanded theLevites that they should cleansethemselves, and that they should come andkeep the gates, to sanctify the sabbath day.Remember me, O my God, concerning thisalso, and spare me according to thegreatness of thy mercy.

Nehemiah 13:15-22

NEHEMIAH’S ZEAL FOR THE SABBATH

By Matthew Henry

to take a greater liberty, and to fancythat God would indulge them in it. 2. The carriers loaded their asseswith all manner of burdens, and madeno scruple of it, though there was aparticular proviso in the law for thecattle resting (Deu. 5:14) and thatthey should bear no burden on theSabbath day (Jer. 17:21). 3. The hawkers, pedlars, and pettymerchants, who were men of Tyre,that famous trading city, sold allmanner of wares on the Sabbath day(v. 16); and the children of Judah andJerusalem had so little grace as tobuy of them, and so encourage themin making our Father’s day a day ofmerchandise, contrary to the law ofthe fourth commandment, whichforbids the doing any manner ofwork. No wonder there was a generaldecay of religion and corruption ofmanners among this people whenthey forsook the sanctuary andprofaned the Sabbath.

II. The Reformation of It Those that are jealous for the honourof God cannot bear to see HisSabbath profaned. Observe in whatmethod this good man proceeded inhis zeal for the Sabbath.

1. He testified against those whoprofaned it, v. 15, and again v. 21. Henot only expressed his own dislike ofit, but endeavoured to convince themthat it was a great sin, and showedthem the testimony of the word ofGod against it. He would not punish ittill he had laid open the evil of it.

2. He reasoned with the rulersconcerning it, took the nobles ofJudah to task, and contended withthem, v. 17. The greatest of men arenot too high to be told of their faults

by those whose proper office it is toreprove them; nay, great men shouldbe, as here, contended with in thefirst place, because of the influencethey have upon others. (1.) He charges them with it: You do it.They did not carry corn, nor sell fish,but, [1.] They connived at those thatdid, and did not use their power torestrain them, and so madethemselves guilty, as thosemagistrates do who bear the sword invain. [2.] They set a bad example inother things. If the nobles allowedthemselves in sports and recreations,in idle visits and idle talk, on theSabbath day, the men of business,both in city and country, wouldprofane it by their worldly employ-ments, as more justifiable. We mustbe responsible for the sins whichothers are led to commit by ourexample. (2.) He charges it upon them as anevil thing, for so it is, proceeding froma great contempt of God and our ownsouls. (3.) He reasons the case with them (v.18), and shows them that Sabbathbreaking was one of the sins forwhich God had brought judgmentsupon them, and that if they did nottake warning, but returned to thesame sins again, they had reason toexpect further judgments: You bringmore wrath upon Israel by profaningthe Sabbath. Thus Ezra concluded, Ifwe again break thy commandments,wilt not thou be angry with us till thouhast consumed us? Ezra 9:14.

3. He took care to prevent theprofanation of the Sabbath, as onethat aimed only at reformation. If hecould reform them, he would notpunish them, and, if he should punishthem, it was but that he might reform

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them. This is an example tomagistrates to be heirs of restraint,and prudently to use the bit andbridle, that there may be no occasionfor the lash. (1.) He ordered the gates ofJerusalem to be kept shut from theevening before the Sabbath to themorning after, and set his ownservants (whose care, courage andhonesty, he could confide in) towatch them, that no burdens shouldbe brought in on the Sabbath day,nor late the night before, nor early inthe morning after, lest Sabbath timeshould be encroached upon, v. 19.Those that came in to worship in thecourts of the temple were no doubtadmitted to pass and repass, butnone that came to sell goods. Theywere forced to lodge without the city(v. 20), where no doubt they wishedthe Sabbath were gone, that theymight sell corn. (2.) He threatened those who camewith goods to the gates, who pressedhard for entrance, telling them that, ifthey came again, he would certainlylay hands on them (v. 21), and thisdeterred them from coming anymore. Note, If reformers will but puton resolution, more may be donetowards the breaking of bad customsthan they can imagine. Vice connivedat is indeed a daring thing, and willbid defiance to counsel and reproof;but it may be made cowardly, and willbe so when magistrates makethemselves a terror to it. The king thatsits on the throne of judgmentscatters away all evil with his eyes.(3.) He charged the Levites to takecare about the due sanctifying of theSabbath, that they should cleansethemselves in the first place, and sogive a good example to the people,and that they should some of them

come and keep the gates, v. 22.Because he and his servants mustshortly return to court, he wouldleave this charge with some thatmight abide by it, that not only whenhe was present, but in his absence,the Sabbath might be sanctified.Then there is likely to be areformation, in this and otherrespects, when magistrates andministers join their forces. Thecourage, zeal, and prudence ofNehemiah in this matter, are hererecorded for our imitation; and wehave reason to think that the cure hewrought was lasting; for, in ourSaviour's time, we find the Jews inthe other extreme, over-scrupulous inthe ceremonial part of Sabbath-sanctification.

4. He concludes this passage with aprayer (v. 22), in which observe, (1.) The petitions: Remember me (asthe thief on the cross, Lord,remember me); that is enough. God'sthoughts to usward are veryprecious, Ps. 40:5. He adds, Spareme. So far is he from thinking thatwhat he had done did properly merita reward in strict justice that he criesearnestly to God to spare him, asJeremiah (ch. 15:15), Take me notaway in thy long-suffering (ch. 10:24),Correct me not in anger, and (ch.17:17), Be not a terror to me. Note,The best saints, even when they dothe best actions, stand in need ofsparing mercy; for there is not a justman that doeth good and sinneth not. (2.) The plea: According to thegreatness (or multitude) of thymercies. Note, God's mercy is whatwe must depend upon, and not anymerit of our own, when we appearbefore God. �

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On March 6, 2009 supporters fromthroughout southern Ontariogathered for the 23rd annual CLDAmeeting in Dundas. The chairman,Mr. Heikoop opened by calling tosing, reading Exodus 6:9-26concerning manna and Sabbathrest, and leading in prayer. The annual report set forth the

work of the CLDA to promote thesanctity of the Lord’s day in 2008.Activities have included newspaperadvertisements, letter writing,contact with local governments andevent organizers, and the publicationof the …To Keep it Holy magazine.Special attention was given to theprison ministry. Over 55,000 dailydiaries, with a Scripture text for eachday, were printed in 2008 fordistribution in prisons throughoutour land. A number of these inmateswho receive a diary also requestedfurther instruction and enrolled in theCLDA Bible CorrespondenceCourse.The treasurer’s report was

presented with gratitude for thesupport received. The auditors, Mr.Jerry Hamstra and Mr. RyanBouwmeester, found the books to bein good order. Thanks were given toMrs. Mary Byl for her book-keepingwork.Two board members requested

they not be renominated: Mr. R.Jansen and Rev. G. Hamstra. Bothwere thanked for their work on thecouncil, especially in relation to theprison ministry.The keynote address, entitled

“The Lord’s Day and its Divine

Glory,” was given by the retiringcouncil member, Rev. G. Hamstra.He covered the following points: 1. The Origin of the Lord’s Day. In321 Constantine the Greatforbade the opening of stores onthe Lord’s Day. Theodosius latermade these Lord’s Day lawsstricter. But ultimately the Lord’sDay is a divine institution.

2. The Sabbath in the Old and NewTestaments. God established thepattern of a weekly Sabbath onthe seventh day of creation. Healso made the Sabbath amemorial of redemption frombondage and an anticipation ofredemption in Christ. The NewTestament reveals God’s greatwork of redemption, which isremembered by the NewTestament church on the Lord’sday.

3. Sabbath Observance. The Lord’sDay is a gift to be spent in themeans of grace and the worship ofGod personally, as families, andcongregations.

4. Three very Special Sabbaths. Thefirst one is the day of Christ’sresurrection. The second one isPentecost, when the Holy Spiritwas poured out to convict of sinand apply salvation to sinners.The final special Sabbath is yet tocome – the eternal Sabbath. Thisled Rev. Hamstra to end byquoting Psalm 27, “One thinghave I desired….. that I may dwellin the house of the Lord to beholdthe beauty of the Lord,” and thenasking, “Is this your desire?”

23RD ANNUAL CLDA MEETING REPORT

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The day of Christ’s resurrection isone of the most marvelous days inScripture. On that day, He could say,“I am alive forever more.” He did notlive to die again but lived to liveforever. He showed that to Hisfollowers. The gospels record thatHe appeared five times to various ofHis followers that day. He met MaryMagdalene, the women, Peter, thetwo Emmaus travelers, and then theeleven at night. Each of His followers experienced

His revelation of Himself differently,yet, they all had something incommon. In Mark’s gospel we readthat they all wept and mourned, forthey were a missing people. Theyhad known Christ and Hiscommunion, but now they missedHim. They could not find Him. Theywere seeking for a dead Jesus, butcould not find Him. What did the risen Lord do? Did

He immediately go to heaven andhave the angels worship Him for thegreat work which He had done? No.He visited sorrowing, missing peoplewho could not live without Him. Thatgave Him great joy. Their sighs were

greater music in His ears than thesongs of the angels. He loves to seepeople who cannot do without Him.He heard a weeping Mary

Magdalene. He saw Peter, a manwho had lost all his rights and haddenied Him. Christ visited him too.Then the Emmaus travelers neededto be taught. What a glory there is inthe way the risen Lord deals with Hisown. How He comforted them! Howhe knew exactly what each of themneeded!Something else that so strikes me

is this: To whom did He come first?To Mary Magdalene. Why? She wasmissing Him most and to suchpeople He always comes first.Where sorrow and distress are thegreatest, He comes and will nottarry. The next Lord’s day, Christ visited

Thomas, a man who was downcast,and yet was a true believer. Christknew how to deal with him mostperfectly. What a glorious, what aloving, what a wondrous Saviour Heis as the One who reveals himself onHis day to those who need Him!

A MOST SPECIAL LORD’S DAY

Rev. G. Hamstra, excerpt from CLDA annual meeting speech

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FINANCIAL STATEMENTCanadian Lord's Day Association

Statement of Receipts and Disbursements

January 1 – December 31, 2008

2008 2008 2007

Actual Budget Actual

Receipts

Diary Donations 13,136 13,476

General Donations 30,910 29,304

Membership Dues 4,420 4,730

Prison Ministry Donations 1,686 615

GST Rebate 1,071 1,243

Interest Income 785 932

Total Receipts 52,008 50,300

Disbursements

Advertising Expense 6,297 5,000 3,953

Bank Charges 111 100 118

Diary Expense 28,138 24,000 25,478

Legal Fees 30 30 30

Literature - 3,500 -

Magazine 5,351 8,000 5,318

Meeting Expense 898 500 933

Office Supplies 425 500 699

Postage 2,417 1,500 2,298

Prison Ministry Postage 966 2,500 1,512

Prison Ministry Expense 5,971 7,200 2,922

Total Disbursements 50,602 52,830 43,261

Receipts less disbursements 1,406 7,040

Cash End of year 35,074 33,668

“We are grateful to the Lord for your generous support and commend this cause to your prayerful and financial support in 2009.”

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PRACTICAL GUIDANCE

SUMMER SABBATHS: HOLIDAYS OR HOLY-DAYS?

“Closed for the month of August.” More than one Canadian

church has made such an announcement. “No summer

evening services.” Even Reformed Canadian church has

posted this notice. “Emptier than usual.” Many churches

have observed this phenomenon during the summer. Why?

Holidays have replaced Holy-days.

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Summer is a time for vacationsand outdoor relaxations andenjoyments. The more the generalstandard of living rises in Canada,the more vacation-oriented societybecomes. Cottages are often rentedfrom Saturday to Saturday. Thosewho work spend the “weekend” inthe campground or at the cottage.Those who can’t get away overnight,have their day-trips and sportsevents to fill the first day of the week.And if they don’t go away at all, theenjoyments of the backyard and itsbeckoning pool captivate them. Thisis the typical summer Sunday formany. Summer Sundays areholidays.This mindset affects the church as

well in such a way that God’s holy-day and our holidays becomeadversaries. As Professor DavidEngelsma writes, “The Lord’sSabbath interferes with the people’ssummer. As the people look ahead tothe summer, there stands theSunday squarely athwart theirvacation plans. It spoils their trip. Itrules out that cruise. It curtails theweekends. It deprives the people ofthe gloriously sunny afternoons. Itcuts into the full week’s vacation bydemanding that the vacationersleave for home on Friday in order toattend church. It keeps the youngpeople out of the popular summergames. Summer and the Sabbath?Rather, summer against the Sabbath,and the Sabbath against summer.Among many Reformed people, as

among many other professingChristians, summer wins out.”Taking time off work to be

together away from home or tospend a day away can be good for afamily. Vacations from work are notwrong. But “vacations” from God’slaw are wrong. Every first day of theweek is a Lord’s day whether we areat home or any distance North,South, East, or West of our home.The fourth commandment applies toall 52 Lord’s days of the year. Goddoes not have different standards forsummer Sabbaths and winterSabbaths. In practice this means, summer

worship services are as important aswinter ones. The Lord does not justgive people Bibles to read but callsthe church to gather together on Hisday to seek Him, hear Him, sing toHim, and confess His name.Hebrews 10:24-25 exhorts: “let usconsider one another to provokeunto love and to good works: Notforsaking the assembling ofourselves together, as the manner ofsome is.” Church attendance is agreat privilege. As Romans 10makes clear, God has especiallyordained the preaching as Hismeans to save sinners. 1 Peter 1:23-2:3 also shows that the preaching isGod’s special means to feed Hispeople. Who would desire to beunnecessarily absent from such aprivileged place? Let us strive toheed faithfully our consistory’s call toworship, or, if that is not possible, to

we feel is important and valuable willaffect how we spend our Lord’sdays.Also ask yourself what your Lord’s

days show about your heart.Professor Engelsma writes, “Whatingratitude! With the very riches andluxuries God gives us, that enable usto take vacations, travel, and liveaway from home (against whichnothing is or can be alleged), weforget His day, His worship, Hisgospel, and Him Himself.” Such aheart values its own pleasures abovethe true pleasures God gives to Hispeople by His Holy Spirit. If that isyour condition, you have all the moreneed to be under the preaching ofthe Word with the prayer the Lordwould bless it to your soul.If the Lord is uncovering you to

your sin and guilt, you desire to havean eye opened to see the Saviourwho is pleased to reveal Himselfthrough the preaching. If the Lordhas blessed His Word to you in away that stripped you of your falserest and led you as restless to rest inthe Lord Jesus Christ alone, thenyou desire to experience trueSabbath rest on the Lord’s day. Thenyou desire God’s grace on His Holy-day more than your pleasures ofholidays.

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attend another faithful church. Onthe rare occasion this is notpossible, let us listen to a worshipservice on the Lord’s day.The other important reminder is

that the whole day is to be devotedto the Lord. Also during the summer,Isaiah 58:13-14 remains true: “If thouturn away thy foot from the sabbath,from doing thy pleasure on my holyday; and call the sabbath a delight,the holy of the LORD, honourable;and shalt honour him, not doingthine own ways, nor finding thineown pleasure, nor speaking thineown words: Then shalt thou delightthyself in the LORD.” In His greatgoodness, God ordained not merelya Lord’s Hour but a Lord’s Day inwhich we set aside our own laboursand pleasures. Wasting the Lord’sDay on our own amusements thatmake us forget God is no better thanfilling it with our daily work. Thechurch father Augustine went so faras to say about the Lord’s Day, “It isbetter to plow than to dance.” EachLord’s Day is to be devoted to theLord.To spur yourself to remember the

importance of the worship servicesand of devoting the entire day to theLord, ask yourself what yourexample says to others. As Prof. J.V. Fesko asks, “What message dowe send the world when we fail toobserve the Lord’s Day by failing toattend corporate worship? ... Whatmessage does our absence atchurch tell our covenant children? Itsends the clear message that ourvacation is more important.” What

Sources:David J. Engelsma, “Summer and theSabbath,” The Standard Bearer (August1997).John V. Fesko, “Summer Travel and ChurchAttendance” (Geneva OrthodoxPresbyterian Church).

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CLDA General Council UpdateThe CLDA General council has witnessed several changes. After over a decade aschairman, Mr. John Heikoop requested he not be re-elected. We are grateful for thededicated leadership, hands-on involvement, and spiritual concern for the cause of theLord’s day which he was enabled to show during his chairmanship. He is succeeded byRev. L. J. Bilkes of Dundas, Ontario, to whom we wish the Lord’s strength andwisdom.

We are also thankful for the many years Mr. John Stubbe has served as vice-chairmanand commend his successor, Rev. A. H. Verhoef, of St. Catharines, Ontario, to theLord as well. The secretary’s work is now shared by a recording secretary, Mr. BrianBoesterd, and corresponding secretary, Mr. Jonathan Coates. Mr. WilliamVanderHorst has succeeded Mr. Gilbert Zekveld as Treasurer.

Employment Standards Act, 2000PART XVII: Retail Business

EstablishmentsApplication of Part72. (1) This Part applies with respectto,(a) retail business establishments asdefined in subsection 1 (1) of the RetailBusiness Holidays Act;(b) employees employed to work inthose establishments; and(c) employers of those employees.2000, c. 41, s. 72 (1).Exception(2) This Part does not apply withrespect to retail business estab-lishments in which the primary retailbusiness is one that,(a) sells prepared meals;(b) rents living accommodations;(c) is open to the public for educa-tional, recreational or amusementpurposes; or

(d) sells goods or services incidental toa business described in clause (a), (b)or (c) and is located in the samepremises as that business. 2000, c. 41,s. 72 (2).Right to refuse work73. (1) An employee may refuse towork on a public holiday or a daydeclared by proclamation of theLieutenant Governor to be a holiday forthe purposes of the Retail BusinessHolidays Act. 2000, c. 41, s. 73 (1).Same(2) An employee may refuse to work ona Sunday. 2000, c. 41, s. 73 (2).Notice of refusal(3) An employee who agrees to workon a day referred to in subsection (1) or(2) may then decline to work on thatday, but only if he or she gives theemployer notice that he or shedeclines at least 48 hours before he orshe was to commence work on that

Ontario Retail LegislationThe retail industry in Ontario is governed by theEmployment Standards Act which does not allow any retailbusiness to require any employee to work on Sunday. Ifyour retail employer should request you to do so, you mayrefer them to the following standards. Please keep CLDAinformed of any issues relating to Sunday work.

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Until last year, only six weeks ofpre-Christmas Sunday shoppingwere permitted on Prince EdwardIsland. But this May many storesopened and will remain open untilChristmas. The response to thischange of legislation is mixed. Forexample, the Confederation CourtMall in downtown Charlottetown willremain closed on Sundays while allstores in the Charlottetown Mall areopen. Many chain stores havechosen to open on Sunday,including Wal-Mart, Canadian Tire,Future Shop, Sears, Home Depot,and Staples.

The Premier has said thislegislation may be reviewed in thefuture. To express your appreciationto the Premier of PEI for still placingsome restrictions on Sundayshopping and to express yourconcerns about this permission tobreak the Sabbath, you may contacthim at:

Hon. Robert W. J. Ghiz

95-105 Rochford Street,

Charlottetown, PE, C1A 7N8

Email: rwjghiz@gov.pe.ca

Phone: (902) 368-4400

Fax: (902) 368-4416

Prince Edward Island Update

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“Among all the commands of the first table, yea all the

commands, this religious observance of the Sabbath

is most forcibly pressed with more reasons, and with

more full and particular explication. Because

(1) all the commands hang some way on this, and

obedience is ordinarily given to them with the

same readiness, as this day is employed in God’s

service.

(2) It keeps life, as it were, in all the rest, and when

men are cold in this, so are they in all the rest.

(3) This tries men in their love to God best, if indeed

his company and service is more delighted in,

than the world; and is a notable indication of

the frame of the soul.”– James Durham

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Taken from the Anglican Rev. Roger Viets’Sermon on the Duty of Attending thePublic Worship of God, preached atDigby in Nova Scotia, April 19, 1789.

A Prophetic Voicefrom Nova Scotia

“Wherever a general attendance is givento public worship,

there will be preserved at least a decent and amiable appearance ofreligion.

This appearance will keep religion incountenance and reputation,

it will induce many people to use themeans of grace. To a diligent use of these means Godhas given a general promise of His assistance,and of eternal happiness.

In contrast, a general neglect of this duty will infallibly plunge Christianity intooblivion, and in the course of one or twocenturies will introduce pagan ignorance, andwretchedness.

Every absenter does his part towardsextirpating all religion.

Sacraments and other religious offices and especially social worship are the means appointed byGod,

for the purpose of preserving a sense and remembrance ofreligion among men.

If men will not use the means appointedof God, for this purpose,

'tis not probable that they will use anyother means, or that the purpose will be effected.”

I

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YOUTH COMPASS

A SABBATHKEEPING REBEL?

n the 1800s, John Nelson wasonce asked by his master’s foremanto work on the Lord’s Day. Hisforeman argued that that the EnglishKing’s business had to be doneimmediately. He said it was commonto work on the Sabbath for hisMajesty when he needed somethingwithout delay. But without hesitating,Nelson boldly declared that hewould not work on the Sabbath forany man in the kingdom, except itwere to quench fire or somethingthat required immediate help. “Religion,” says the foreman, “has

made you a rebel against the King.”“No, sir,” he replied, “it has made

me a better subject than ever I was.The greatest enemies the King hasare Sabbath-breakers, swearers,and drunkards; for these bring downGod’s judgments upon the King andcountry.”Nelson was told he would lose his

job if he would not obey his orders,but he answered, “I would rather gowithout bread than willfully offendGod.” The foreman swore he would be

as mad as George Whitefield, if hekept thinking like that. “What haveyou done,” he said, “that you needto make so much ado aboutsalvation? I always took you to be as

honest a man as I have working forme. I would have trusted you with500 pounds.” “So you might,” answered Nelson,

“and not have lost a penny by me.” “I have a worse opinion of you

now,” said the foreman. “Master,” he replied, “I beat you in

that, for I have a worse opinion ofmyself than you can have of me.”The result was that the work was

not pursued on the Sabbath. Nelsonrose in the good opinion of hisemployer for having shown a mostconsistent sense of his duty as aChristian. �

Adapted from D. MacLeod, The New Cyclopaedia of Illustrative

Anecdotes, p. 865-866.

King George II

Lord’s Day Prayers from Canada’s Past

A Sunday Morning PrayerAs the hart panteth after the water-brooks, O God,

our souls do thirst after thee, that we may see thy power and thy glory,

as we have seen them in the Sanctuary, and be satisfied with the goodness of thy House.

Lead us and guide us unto thy holy hill, and bring us together with sweet converse to the place of prayer,

to hear thy Word of Truth in the spirit, to offer the sacrifices of joy with thy people, and to make melody in our hearts with the songs of Zion.

Prepare us, we beseech thee, for a true entrance into the secret of thy tabernacle,

and bless thy churches everywhere this day with the clear shining of thy Presence;

that the Holy Spirit may descend on many hearts, and multitudes may be brought from the kingdom of Satan

into the Kingdom of thy dear Son Jesus Christ. Amen.

Other Petitions for the Lord’s Day“Shed abroad the holy influence of the Sabbath throughout our land, and keep our wholecountry, with those who are chosen to govern it, in the way of righteousness and peace.”

“O Lord, strengthen thy ministers to-day, that they may speak with power, and teach thouthose that are set to teach thy people. Pour upon thy Churches the spirit of prayer, that nottheir lips only, but their hearts, may speak unto thee. Awaken the careless, convince thedoubting, confirm the weak, add power to the strong.”

“May every Lord’s day prepare us for the Day of the Lord; and each time that we celebrateHis resurrection fit us to rise when he shall call us to glory.”

These prayers are taken from The Book of Family Devotion Approved and Commendedby the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Canada (Toronto, 1919).

This popular book had this dedication:

PresbyterianChurch ofCanada Crestin 1919