Question:
Please tell us in what manner and to what extent we are responsible for the acts of helpers and strangers within our gates, as referred to in the fourth commandment, and what does “within our gates” include?
Answer:
Such questions can not be answered dogmatically. “Within thy gates” evidently refers to all the land and buildings a man controls and works. That would not refer to houses or lands rented to others. Employees should not be required to do unnecessary work on that day, and neither strangers nor helpers should be permitted to do unnecessary public work on that day. The matter should be kindly stated before them, and we are sure no worthy helper or stranger sharing our hospitality would desire to offend. Doing work in the privacy of their rooms might not be in our power to prevent. We should not care to act the part of a spy or inquisitor upon those even whom we suspected. Acts of a public character would be our duty to control within our gates. “The inmates of the house are to lay aside their worldly business during the sacred hours.”
