The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1868-12-04
An Israclfte Pleading Cor Sunday
III An Important Movements.

An Important Movement.
A contributor to the Isreeiite, published
at Cincinnati, begins his communication as
follows:
'sIn order, then, that we may have o day
Of rest, real Sabbath, which can be oh
served by al Israel, we propose to adopt
that day which is set apart by hundreds OF
millions--nay, the whole civilized world
for physical rest and the worship OF GOD.
Let our prayers and thankegiSings with
theirs ascend to His throne on the same
day, the SUNDAY"
!, The writer who makes this proposition,
80 repucnant to the ears of q people for
many centuries jealous Of the slightest
variation from the established customs, de-
clares that he has been "selected as the
Spokesman of a party respectable in num-
Der, respectable in intellect, fully persuaded
OF the correctness of their views, and fully
determined to discuss the subject in oil its
bearings" The selection is manifestly a
fortunate one, for the temper of the article
and its logic are remarkable for candor,
clcarness, and moderation. .r
The old Hebrew word Shabhas," which
lies at the bottom of this controversy, is
hcCidIcN W MCou SlmplJ Ic5l. ScdSc lIou
labor and devote to the service Of God
this is the literal and spiritual meaning Of
the word Shabbas, or Sabbath.
How does the fourth commandment read
Does it say on this or that particular day =,
specifying II by name, Saturday, thou shalt
rest, and it shall be your Sabbath hence
forward and forevermore No. Such are
the commands Of man, but not of the AL
mighty.
The selection of Saturday by Moses is
explained as being most suitable and con-
venient for the Hebrews at that era. The
Institution, it is presumed, answered all
purposes throughout the pastun within the
last half century, when it became obsolete.
During this period they have been virtually
without any Sabbath or day of rest. Those
who most bitterly oppose the proposed re-
formation are scarcely observing even the
day which they recognize ss Sabbath. The
result is that they are becoming lax, and
so fast tending to utter irreligion, apostacy,
and the total destruction of the Jewish
faith. Even now their offspring display
perfect Indifference to religion. The ques-
ton is accordingly asked: G
Do you not perceive the influence Of
nineteen centuries on the observances and
FORMS of our religion9 And can all the
past, present, and future exert no intiu-
ence upon you? You cannot stand still and
be passive, even if you desire to be so. The
irresistible movement Of progress, the law
of nature and natures God, will propel
you on to that inevitable necessity which
we 90 earnestly beseech you to adopt. Any
day We set apart as day of rect, to wor-
ship God in spirit and in truth, is accepta-
bic to him. We select Sunday, because in
the fear of God, with reverence for His
great name and an eye to His glory, it is
more convenient, observed as it is by mil
lions, because it csn be hallowed, while
ours, as at present arranged, is an utter
impossibility."
Having further argued this matter, the
writer attacks with vigor the intolerant and
prosecuting temper which has been dis
played by his w-religionists. 1t created
the Christian Church. Jesus was Jew, a
great man, q second Moses, who desired to
purify the faith and correct the vices of
their church and people-nothing more nor
less. "But rs prophet is never appre
clated In his own country, he was crucifed
and made martyr Of, and his disciples
made him God. THE blood of the mar
tyrs is the seed of the church. We sewei
the wind and we reaped the whirlwind.
Our vices, follies, irreligion, and cruelty
created that church which has been our
scourge and oppressor through countless
ages"
1t is proposed to call grand religious
council, who can settle this Sabbath ques-
ton definitely; either adopting Sunday for
all, or dividing those wishing Sunday and
those retaining Saturday as the Sabbath.
These views will naturally create excite
ment, and probably lead to no immediate
results; but they indicate the dissemina-
ton of spirit of inquiry which must
eventually break down the wall of parti-
ton between the Israelites and other reli-
gionists.