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If there is an institution which opposes itself to this progress of human degeneracy,
如果存在一种本身能够抵制人类堕落这一进程的宗教习俗，
and throws a shield before the interests of moral virtue in our thoughtless and wayward world, it is the Sabbath.
在我们这个没有思想和任性的世界的伦理德性利益面前能够被竖起一道盾牌的话，那就是安息日。
In the fearful struggle between virtue and vice,
再美的和恶性之间展开的这场骇人的斗争中，
notwithstanding the powerful auxiliaries which wickedness finds in the bosoms of men,
虽然存在强大的辅助工具，能在人的内心深处，
and in the seductions and influence of popular example, wherever the Sabbath has been suffered to live,
在流行的时尚的诱惑和影响中发现邪恶，但是无论在哪里坚守安息日都是一个艰难的宗教习俗，
the trembling interests of moral virtue have always been revered and sustained.
伦理德性那震颤人心灵的吸引力始终受到人们的崇敬并得以维系下来。
One of the principal occupations of this day is to illustrate and enforce the great principles of sound morality.
在当今时代最重要的一项使命就是阐述和践行正确的道德原则。
Where this sacred trust is preserved inviolate,
这种神圣的信任对社会和任何人都没有伤害，
you behold a nation convened one day in seven for the purpose of acquainting themselves with the best moral principles and precepts;
你会发现人们基于通过最好的道德原则和观念来彼此增进了解的目的，一个国家在一周里要有一天守安息日。
and it can not be otherwise than that the authority of moral virtue, under such auspices, should be acknowledged and felt.
除此之外，没有其他宗教习俗能让人们在教会的帮助和支持下，认识和感受到伦理德性的权威。
We may not, at once, perceive the effects which this weekly observance produces.
我们不会马上就能洞察到这种每周一次守安息日的习俗所产生的效果。
Like most moral causes, it operates slowly;
同绝大多数道德事业一样，守安息日也要慢慢进行；
but it operates surely, and gradually weakens the power and breaks the yoke of profligacy and sin.
不过，守安息日肯定会慢慢削弱那种力量，打破导致放荡和罪恶的枷锁。
No villain regards the Sabbath.
没有哪个恶棍会看重安息日，
No vicious family regards the Sabbath.
没有哪个邪恶的家庭会把安息日当回事，
No immoral community regards the Sabbath.
没有哪个不道德的社会会尊重安息日。
