The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1868-12-23

AN IsRAELITE PLEADING FOR suNn.,
A contributor to the Israelite, publishe
at Cincinnati, begins his communication
as follows:
In order, then, that we NAV have da
of rest, a real Sabbath, which can be oh
served by all ,Israelites, we propose, +,
adopt that day which is set apart Inv linn
oreas OF millions, nay, the whole civilized
woIo, Tor physical rest and the worship o
aod. Let our prayers and Thanksgiving.
with theirs ascend to His throne on the
same day, the Sunday.
lhe writer who makes this proposition
so repugnant to the ears of the people for
many centuries jealous Of the slightest va
| ration from the established customs. de
ciares that he has been selected as the
spokesman of the party, respectable in
number, respectable in intellect, fully per-
suaded OF the correctness of their views.
and FULLY determined to discuss the subject
in all its bearings" The selection is nan
liestiy fortunate one, for the temper of
the article and its logic are remarkable for
candor, clearness and moderation. -
;. The old Hebrew word "Shabbas," which
lies at the bottom of his controversy, is de-
clared to mean simply rest. Cease from
labor and devote to the service of Cod
TINS IS the literal and spiritual meaning of
the word Shabbas or Sabbath. How
does the fourth commandment read? Does
1T say on this or that day, specifying it bv
name, Saturday, thou shalt rest, and It shall
be your Sabbath henceforward and forever
more I? No. Snch are the commands of
man, but not of the Almighty. ss
Inc selection OF Saturday by Moses is
explained as being most suitable and ron.
venient Tor the Hebrews at that era. The
institution, 1T is presumed, answered all
purposes throughout the past, until the
last half century, when it became obsolete. |
during this period they have bean ,,,,
'00s ~. -ayn vi day of rest. Those
,no most bitterly oppose the proposed re.
, formation are scarcely observing even the
lay winch they recognize as Sabbath. The
'esult IS that they are becoming lax, and
20 iast tending to utter irreligion, aposeacv
ma the total destruction of the Jewish
attn. Even now their offspring DISPLAY
perfect Indifference to religion. The cues
ion is accordingly asked:
10 you not perceive the influence of
nineteen centuries on the obseryances and
orms OF our religion? And can all the
asst, present and future exert no influence
pom you You cannot stand still and he
asSiVe even 1t you desire to be so. The
,reslstlple movement of progress, the law
nature and natures God, will propel you I
to that inevitable necessity which we so +
beseech you to adopt. ANY dav 8
g SET apart as a day of rest, to Worship !,
od IN spirit and in truth, is acceptable to !,
I'M. We select Sunday, because in the
ar of God, with reverence for His oreat @
1me, and an eye to His glory, It is more a
'nVenlent, observed as it is bv millions q
cause it can be hallowed, while oprs 40 =
present arranged, is an utter impossible. !.
Having further argued this matter, the T.
Fiter attacks with yigor the intollerant G
"a prosecuting temper which has been "
spiayed by his Acknowledgements. It W
Gated the Christian. Church. Jesus was "
Jew, great man, n second Moses, who f
sired to purify the faith and correct the :,
ees OF OF their church and people, nothing 81
Ore nor less. "But as q prophet is never is
Preciated IN his own country, he was a
acihed aud made amartyr of, and his sy
:cIpies made him God. The blood of 10
Q martyrs is the seed of the church, We is
wed the wind and we reaped the whirl- Is;
nd. Our vices, follies, irreligion and VI
'ei'y created that church which has been W
scourge and oppressor through count til
5 ages" m
It's proposed to call grand religious Ike
lhcii, who can settle this Sabbath ques- re-
n de,n.nltely either adopting Sunday for ",
or dividing those wishing Sunday and w.
,se retaining Saturday as the Sabbath. ~
nese views VIII naturally create excite s''
Mt, and probably lead to no Immediate an
ults; but they Indicate the disseuina- pr
of spirit of inquiry which must even. di,
lily break down the wall of partition -.
ween the Israelilcs and other religion. ~
tliho H,o.x |