TRAVEL ON SABBATH

Physicians should not suppose that it is right for them to make appointments or to travel on the Sabbath. Not only by precept but also by example they should honour the true Sabbath, which is to be immortalized as the evidence that God created the world in six days and rested on the seventh. God blessed the seventh day and hallowed it, placing the command concerning it in the very bosom of the Decalogue. It is to be sacredly observed.--Kress Collection, p.43.

Unnecessary travelling is done on the Sabbath, with many other things which might be left undone. "Take heed," saith the Lord, "to all thy ways, lest I remove My Holy Spirit because of the lax regard given to My precepts." "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy." Bear in mind the charge to remember. Do not carelessly forget, "Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work." In this time all the duties necessary to prepare for the Sabbath are to be done.--Letter 51, 1901.

It may be necessary for us to travel on the Sabbath in order to reach the churches who need our help . . . but we should secure our tickets, and make all other arrangements on some other day, if it is unavoidable, and we must travel upon the cars or steamboats.--Letter 58, 1895.

I could not consent to go on this steamer when we should
thus have to trespass on the Sabbath, if there was any way
possible by which we could avoid it. We learned that a boat left Melbourne Tuesday afternoon, and we decided that it would be much better to get this early boat than to travel on the
Sabbath.--Letter 58, 1895.

We were unwilling to report ourselves on the cars this morning, but circumstances connected with the cause and work of God demand our presence at the General Conference. We could not delay. If we were doing our own business we should feel it a breach of the fourth commandment to travel on the Sabbath. We engaged in no common conversation. We endeavoured to keep our minds in a devotional frame and we enjoyed some of the presence of God while we deeply regretted the necessity of travelling upon the Sabbath.--Manuscript 13, 1873.

We dislike very much to travel on the Sabbath but the work must be done in giving the message to the world and we can keep our minds and hearts uplifted to God and can hide in Jesus. When we cannot control these matters we must leave all with our heavenly Father. If our trust be in God He will help us.--Manuscript 76, 1893.

She was glad to arrive a few hours before the Sabbath began. She sometimes travelled on the Sabbath and sometimes arrived at her destination after the Sabbath had begun, but she said, "It is very painful to me to be arriving on the Sabbath."--Manuscript 123, 1906.

Let no man, because he is a physician, feel at liberty to disregard this word of the Lord. He should plan his work so as to obey God's requirements. He should not travel on the Sabbath except when there is real suffering to be alleviated. When this is the case, it is not a desecration of the Sabbath for physicians to travel upon that day; but ordinary cases should be deferred.--Medical Ministry, p. 214-215.

Our preparations were made on Friday, so that on the Sabbath we could take our lunch as quietly as though we had been at home. We felt that while circumstances were such that we were obliged to travel on the Sabbath, we would make it a day of service, and worship God in our moving Bethel. Sabbath morning we had an excellent Bible-reading. Some who were not of our faith took part in this exercise, and seemed much interested.--Review & Herald, February 17, 1885.

From the light which the Lord has given us in regard to the manner in which the Sabbath should be observed, I fear that we are becoming careless, and often travel on the Sabbath when we might avoid it. We should be more careful about traveling on the boats or in the cars on the Sabbath day. Even if it involves some difficulty, we should make every possible effort so to arrange matters about our traveling, that we need not arrive at our destination on the Sabbath.

Many are becoming careless and irreverent concerning the Sabbath; but if we would have the blessing pronounced that is to be pronounced upon the obedient, it will be necessary that we observe the Sabbath more strictly. Even in traveling upon the cars and steamers, we are to set the right example before our children and youth. It may be necessary for us to travel on the Sabbath in order to reach the churches who need our help, and to give them the message that God would have them hear; but we should secure our tickets, and make all other arrangements on some other day, if it is unavoidable and if we must travel upon the cars or steamboats. When traveling on the cars or boats on the Sabbath day, we should withdraw ourselves from undesirable company, and commune with God.--Special Testimonies to Ministers and Workers, vol. 3, p. 42-43.

If we desire the blessing promised to the obedient, we must observe the Sabbath more strictly. I fear that we often travel on this day when it might be avoided. In harmony with the light which the Lord has given in regard to the observance of the Sabbath, we should be more careful about travelling on the boats or cars on this day. In these matters we should set a right example before our children and youth. In order to reach the churches that need our help, and to give them the message that God desires them to hear, it may be necessary for us to travel on the Sabbath; but so far as possible we should secure our tickets and make all necessary arrangements on some other day. When starting on a journey we should make every possible effort to plan so as to avoid reaching our destination on the Sabbath.

When compelled to travel on the Sabbath we should try to avoid the company of those who would draw our attention to worldly things. We should keep our minds stayed upon God and commune with Him. Whenever there is opportunity we should speak to others in regard to the truth. We should always be ready to relieve suffering and to help those in need. In such cases God desires that the knowledge and wisdom He has given us should be put to use. But we should not talk about matters of business or engage in any common, worldly conversation. At all times and in all places God requires us to prove our loyalty to Him by honoring the Sabbath.--Testimonies for the Church, vol. 6, p. 359-360.

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