The Fourth Commandment (Sadler's Church Teacher's Manual)

The Fourth Commandment (Sadler's Church Teacher's Manual)

The Fourth Commandment is Section XXXVII of The Church Teacher's Manual of Christian Instruction, Michael Ferrebee Sadler's 1872 expansion of the Church Catechism in question-and-answer form.

Summary

Sadler explains the commandment concerning Sabbath rest and Christian worship. He gives attention to the Lord's Day, public worship, works of necessity and mercy, and the Christian use of time.

Sadler's Text

Sadler's catechetical treatment of this topic is anchored in the statement, "God in it demands that one day in seven should be especially dedicated to Himself." He further explains the section by saying, "It forbids all idleness on working days, as well as all unnecessary work on the Lord's day."

Theological Themes

• Lord's Day
• Worship and rest
• Christian time
• Mercy and necessity

Scripture References

The following references are representative biblical texts used or implied in this section of Sadler's catechetical exposition:

• Exodus 20:8-11
• Genesis 2:3
• Mark 2:27
• John 20:19-26
• Acts 20:7
• Revelation 1:10

Anglican Context

This section belongs to Sadler's treatment of the baptismal promise to keep God's commandments. It is connected with the Decalogue in the Church Catechism and with the use of the commandments in Anglican moral and liturgical instruction. Sadler's treatment reflects nineteenth-century Church of England catechesis and should be read as a historical Anglican source alongside current provincial formularies and catechetical resources.

See Also

• The Church Teacher's Manual of Christian Instruction
• Ten Commandments
• Church Catechism
• Anglican Ethics
• Book of Common Prayer