Dear Brethren:

In presenting to you this letter, I am not unmindful of our inability to do justice to the task assigned us. Trusting you will in future select some one more competent to perform so important a task. I crave your indulgence while I lay before you, for your serious consideration, a few thoughts which I have hastily thrown together, relative to a better observance of the Lord's day.

"Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy" was and is the divine command. At the creation of the world the Sabbath was instituted and first kept sacred by our Lord. He ceased from his labors on that day, and set the example for his creatures to follow.

Since the fall of our first parents, man has striven to enjoy the seeming pleasures of this world, thereby estranging his heart from God, taking advantage of the Sabbath to enjoy the pleasures of this life.

In Catholic countries this day is looked for as a day given by many wholly to pleasure seeking; and in our free land Easter Sunday is made a day of show by the Catholics and some other denominations rather than a day to be kept sacred.

How often the Sabbath is broken in our midst by racing, gambling, drunkenness and many other sins of greater or lesser magnitude, which all may bring within their mind's eye. This disregard for the divine injunction seems to be the cause, which led our Heavenly Father to exclaim that it grieved him that He had made man, for his heart is continually set on evil, and that He would destroy him from the face of the earth.

I am aware some differ from our opinion and would feign make you believe that times and customs have changed somehow, so that these little deviations from the good old Puritanical times are necessary; others say it is unnecessary to weigh themselves down with what they cannot help, therefore, are willing to let every one do as he pleases, which is equivalent to giving their consent; and this serves to lull their consciences and causes many to try to satisfy themselves that they are clear of the blood of their fellowman.

May the Lord have mercy on us if we are found among this class at the day of Judgment. Brethren, let us all look still closer; let us ask ourselves if we have done all we could to stay this fearful tide of sin of Sabbath-breaking; both by precept and example, manfully striving to persuade others to keep the Sabbath day holy. Think of the fearful results of disobedience in breaking the holy Sabbath!

Scripture is replete with the fate of Sabbath-breakers; and shall we expect to fare better if we simply look on and hold our peace, seeing the day continually being broken, simply because it is the custom of the times?

The habit of visiting on the Sabbath in this country, in the manner which it is usually done, tends to much evil; gossiping is the order of the moment in too many cases, instead of praise to the Lord.

I may be accused of being too strict and of possessing a desire to deprive people of all pleasure, as the world would have it; "As well put on a straightjacket at once," says one; "I would as lief be dead," says another; "I want a little more recreation," says another, forgetting there is no lasting happiness in worldly pleasure.

In order to enjoy the smiles of our Heavenly Father, let us persuade the wicked to forsake his ways and keep the Sabbath holy unto the Lord; and we surely shall be blessed by him for so doing.

Thus my friends, I have briefly brought to mind a few hints on Sabbath-breaking in our midst, and which, with many more, come under the observation of all. I know full well that all censured hearts will join with mine, in the one desire to see the great sin of Sabbath-breaking abated, and the day kept with more reverence, and to the glory of God, for this is the day the Lord hath made.
_________________

Note: Joshua C. Brown came from the First Baptist Church, Newport, Rhode Island, into the organization of the First Baptist Church of Surprise Valley, which organized the second Sabbath in August, 1868. This church was one of the founding churches of the Eastern Baptist Association of California and Oregon, the forerunner of the California Cooperative Association of Missionary Baptist Churches. Thus establishing a link to the First Baptist Church in America and our churches of today. R.F.
================= [Eastern Baptist Association Minutes, 1878. Document was re-typed by Robert Cullifer, Folsom, CA and used with permission. Scanned and formatted by Jim Duvall.]

---

More California Circular Letters
Baptist History Homepage