48-5. Let the provisions for the support of the family on that day be so ordered that others be not improperly detained from the public worship of God, nor hindered from sanctifying the Sabbath.

DIGEST :

BACKGROUND AND COMPARISON :
1. PCA 1973, Adopted text, as printed in the Minutes of General Assembly, p. 155
2. Continuing Presbyterian Church, Proposed Book of Church Order (1973), DfW, 1-3, p. 63
3. PCUS 1933, DfW, I-§305
4. PCUS 1925, DfW, I-§305
5. PCUS 1894, I-III. (p. 100)
Let the provisions for the support of the family on that day be so ordered that servants or others be not improperly detained from the public worship of God, nor hindered from sanctifying the Sabbath.

RPCES 1973, III-3
Provision for the support of the family on the Lord's Day should be so ordered that those who must labor and all members of the household be not detained insofar as possible from public worship or hindered from properly sanctifying the day.

COMMENTARY
Morton H. Smith, Commentary on the Book of Church Order, 6th edition, 2007, p. 408.
At this point the Directory goes beyond the Confessional standards, as it treats a practical matter concerning the family and those who serve families. Where families have domestic servants, efforts should be made to obey the requirements of the Fourth Commandment not to cause those who serve to break the Sabbath. This applies not only to those who serve in the home, it also speaks to the question of whether Christians should be involved in causing others to work for them on the Sabbath. Concern should be taken in unnecessary travel, attendance at restaurants, attendance at places of entertainment, etc.