North Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1867-current, 1867-10-09

Institution OF Sunday.
How grandly does the figure Of the great
Hebrew law-giver stand out in the dim vis-
ia of. time He appears after life Of l2O
years, standing on Mount Pisgah looking
years led his people to possess. 1t was not
granted to him to enter in (; yet he had his
reward. He found his people slaves he
left them free and gave them nationali-
ty.
Many of his laws were for men just es-
capped from bondage, and but temporary
in their character but the commanding
principle of Judaism, that of the unity Of
God, has been indelibly impressed on the
world. Even Mahomedans have learnt it
of Moses, and hold it rigidly and all
Christendom processes it. But Moses
laws gives place to another. a greater than
he. Moses was the law-giver to one race !;
Christ to all races and for all times. ia,
1t is for us, therefore, to distinguish be-
tween the permanent and temporary in
the Mosaic theocracy. The division Of the
week into the six days labor and rest on
the seventh day, was most important
branch Of the Mosaic policy. Christ was
the first to break through its rigid formal
ism. He showed how it was right to do
good on the Sabbath day-not only 10
think or hear good, but to do it. He de-
clared that the Sabbath was made for man,
not man for the sabbath meaning accord
ing to our Interpretation, that institutions
are subordinate to the rights of humanity.
And in Math. xii, 6, 7, 8, he announces
the fundamental principle of his Sabbath,
while stating that the Son Of Man is Lord
even of the Sabbath day, and by declaring
81 will have mercy, and not sacrifice
After Christ's death the disciples met, as
recorded, twice on the first day Of the week;
and again on Pentecost which was held on
the frstday and although such celebra-
ton could not have been suggested till af-
ter his death, we have many instances re-
corded that such was their custom. See
John Xxx. l9, "a Acts Xxx. 7 Acts ii. l.;
Cor. xvi. 2; Rev. j. 10.
The Mosaic ritual was consecrated to
the Hebrews by the rest of the Creator af-
ter the formation of the earth and the
Christian or Lords day is held in remem-
brance of Christ's resurrection which is
the central fact in his life. His resurec-
ton took place on the first day, and it was
right in his followers to hold that day in
remembrance.
AS early as the end of the second centu-
ry abstinance from worldly business on
this day seems to have been customary
1t was accounted day of rejoicing, feast
not a fast for to fast on that day was un-
lawful. Christians on this day prayed
standing, not kneeling, to initiate the ele-
vation of their hopes through their Lords
resurrection. Thus it was that Constan-
tine, the first emperor that adopted Chris
tianity, decreed the first day, or Sunday,
as thus binding on Christians. This was
made law A. d. 32l. The decree sus-
pended business in the courts of law, ex-
cept in the manumission Of slaves and of
all other business, except agricultural la
Dor. li
BY his successor Theodosius H., all
games and theatrical exhibitions were for
bidden and the Hebrew Sabbath was
henceforth abolished and Sunday gradual
ly instituted.
Bishop Horseley says, "By keeping q
Sabbath, we acknowledge God, and de-
clare that we are not atheists by keeping
one day in seven, we protest against idola-
try, and acknowledge that God who in the
beginning made the heaven and the earth
and by keeping our Sabbath of the first
day of the week, we protest against Juda-
ism, and acknowledge that God who, hay
ing made the world, sent his only begot-
ton Son to redeem mankind"
In all Christian communities the Sum
day has been observed with more or less
strictness the degrees of which seem to de-
pend on three different views which are
held respecting its character. Some re-
gard all the provisions of the fourth COM
mandment as extending to it, admitting,
however, an exception in the case Of
''works of necessity and mercy = others
agree with these in abstaining from world
ly business or amusements, because they
think that only thus can the mind be fitted
for the religious services which are observ-
ed on this day while others, viewing it as
day of rejoicing, Christian festival, de-
vote part of the day to religious worship
and the remainder to recreation. To these
views ought to be added fourth. which
though never adopted by amy church,
has been the opinion of many eminent the
ologians, namely that there is no divine
law or authority for making distinction
between Sunday and other days on the
ground that all our days should be reli-
gious. This latter idea is beautifully illus
trated in the following lines by the poet
Wordsworth -
Whether men reap or sow the fields,
Her admOntiOns nature yields;
That not by bread alone we live
Or what the hand of flesh can give: