But "rest" does not mean idleness. No man enjoys idleness for any
length of time. When one goes on a vacation, one does not lie around
doing nothing all the time. Hard work at tennis, hunting, and other
pursuits fills the hours. A healthy mind must find something to do.
Hence the sabbath rest does not mean inactivity. "Satan finds some
mischief still for idle hands to do." The best way to keep off bad
thoughts and to avoid temptation is to engage in active religious
exercises.
As regards these, we should avoid extremes. On the one hand we find a
rigor in sabbath observance that is nowhere commanded in Scripture,
and that reminds one of the formalism of the Pharisees more than of
the spirit of the gospel. Such strictness does more harm than good. It
repels people and makes the sabbath a burden. On the other hand we
should jealously guard against a loose way of keeping the sabbath.
Already in many cities it is profaned openly.
When I was a boy the sabbath lasted from sundown on Saturday to
sundown on Sunday, and I remember how we boys used to shout when it
was over. It was the worst day in the week to us. I believe it can be
made the brightest day in the week. Every child ought to be reared so
that he shall be able to say, with a friend, that he would rather have
the other six days weeded out of his memory than the sabbath of his
childhood.