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appointment. A physician is anxious to preserve the balance of circulation, as necessary to the restorative power of the body. The ordinary exertions of man 'run down the circulation every day of his life: and the first general law of nature, by which God (who is not only the giver, but also the preserver and sustainer of life) prevents man from destroying himself, is the alternating of day with night, that repose may succeed action. But, although the night apparently equalizes the circulation well, yet it does not sufficiently restore its balance, for the attainment of a long life. Hence, one day in seven, by the bounty of Providence, is thrown in, as a day of compensation; to perfect, by its repose, the animal system.

You may easily determine this question, as a matter of fact, by trying it on beasts of burden. Take that fine animal, the horse, and work him to the full extent of his powers every day in the week, or give him rest one day in seven; and you will soon perceive, by the superior vigour with which he performs his functions on the other six days, that this rest is necessary to his well-being. Man, possessing a superior nature, is borne along by the very vigour of his mind; so that the injury of continued diurnal exertion and excitement on his animal system is not so immediately apparent as it is in the brute. But, in the long run, he breaks down more suddenly; it abridges the length of his life, and that vigour of his old age, which (as to mere animal power) ought to be the object of his preservation. I consider, therefore, that, in the boun

tiful provision of Providence, for the preservation of human life, the Sabbatical appointment is not (as it has been sometimes theologically viewed) simply a precept partaking of the nature of a political institution, but that it is to be numbered amongst the natural duties; if the preservation of life be admitted to be a duty; and the premature destruction of it, a suicidal act.

This is said simply as a physician, and without reference at all to the theological question: but, if you consider further the proper effects of real Christianity, namely, peace of mind, confiding trust in God, and good-will to man, you will perceive, in this source of renewed vigour to the mind, and, through the mind, to the body, an additional spring of life, imparted from this higher use of the Sabbath as a holy rest. Were I to pursue this part of the question, I should be touching on the duties committed to the clergy: but this I will say, that researches in physiology, by the analogy of the working of Providence in nature, will establish the truth of Revelation, and consequently show that the Divine commandment is not to be considered as an arbitrary enactment, but as an appointment necessary to man. This is the position in which I would place it, as contra-distinguished from precept and legislation: I would point out the Sabbatical rest as necessary to man; and that the great enemies of the Sabbath, and consequently the enemies of man, are, all laborious exercises of the body or mind, and dissipation-which force the cir

culation on that day, in which it should repose; whilst relaxation from the ordinary cares of life, the enjoyment of this repose in the bosom of one's family, with the religious studies and duties which the day enjoins-not one of which, if rightly exercised, tends to abridge life-constitute the beneficial and appropriate service of the day. The student of nature, in becoming the student of Christ, will find in the principles of his doctrine and Law, and in the practical application of them, the perfect and only science which prolongs the present, and perfects the future life.

Question. In your own practice, have you thought it necessary to carry on the whole of your occupation on a Sunday, as on the other six days of the week? Answer.-Certainly not.

Question. Do you think your patients have suffered thereby?

Answer. Certainly not.

Question. Of course, in extreme cases, you do? Answer. I consider that the two officers of healing, so to speak, are the clergyman and the medical man: they are the only two classes of persons called on to labour on that day, for the benefit of the community. I have found it essential to my own well-being, to abridge my labour on the Sabbath to what is actually necessary. I have frequently observed the premature death of medical men from continued exertion. In warm climates, and in active service, this is painfully apparent.

Question.-As a seventh day is absolutely necessary

for the rest of man, what do you say to the habits of clergymen, who must, of necessity, labour on the seventh day* ?

Answer.-I have advised the clergyman, in lieu of his Sabbath, to rest one day in the week: it forms a continual prescription of mine. I have seen many destroyed by their duties on that day; and, to preserve others, I have frequently suspended them, for a season, from the discharge of those duties.

Question. So that the clergyman furnishes an illustration of your own principle, as to the ill effects of working on the seventh day continually?

Answer.-Yes; certainly. I would say further, that (quitting the grosser evils of mere animal living, from over-stimulation and undue exercise of body) the working of the mind in one continued train of thought is destructive of life in the most distinguished class of society; and that Senators themselves stand in need of reform in that particular. I have observed many of them destroyed by neglecting this economy of life.

Question.

Therefore, to all men, of whatever class, who must necessarily be occupied six days in the week, you recommend them to abstain on the seventh; ́and, in the course of life, they would gain by it?

Answer.-Assuredly they would, by giving to their bodies the repose, and to their minds the change of ideas, suited to the day, for which it was appointed by unerring Wisdom.

* See page 89.

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Question. And, in fact, more mental work would be accomplished in their lives?

Answer. Certainly, by the increased vigour imparted.

Questión.-A human being is so constituted, that he needs a day of rest, both from mental and bodily labour?

Answer.-Certainly.

You have drawn the infe

rence, from the tenor of my evidence and argument, which I wish to leave on the mind of the Legislative body.

• THE END.

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