Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1870-04-29

/ assemble the next Sabbath day TO hear their
doctrine II Paul and Barnabas had known
Of the supposed change, they would have
said, Tomorrow IS he Christian iSaJ5gtk,
We viii then instruct you gentiles. Where
/ there was no synagogue, they went out tos
place Of prayer by the riverside, on the
Sabbath, with Lydia, and her company, who
were either Jews, or Gentle proseIytes.
S-There is only one passage in the Acts
of the Apostles, claimed by the advocates If
the first day of the week in support Of tLei-
practice; but that passage, if carefully con
sidered, Is found to consist only with the
religious observance of the Seventh day
Sabbath. The true reason for the celebra
ted meeting at Troas seems to have been.
that, as the christians there, we're desirous
Of having the apostle Paul's miuistratiors
continued as long as possible, they pro-
longed the Sabbath until the first day of the
week commenced, (which begins, as I have
before explained to you, when the sun goes
down after the seventh day, or Saturday
evening, and continued their religious ex-
ercises until midnight, and even until the
break Of day. If you will then turn to the
narrative in your English Bible, Acts 20,
T. you viii find that the word 'dQy' is put
in italics, (meaning that no such word is ex-
pressed in the original Greek supply the
word might instead Of day" and an ex-
PLANTATION will be obtained, which makes the
practice Of these Christians consistent With
their recorded actions on other occasions.
This reckoning of time must be true; because
1t goes on TO say that the Apostles went on
their journey forthwith, as Paul had deter.
mined over night, to 90 on the morrow;
and It is said that he went on foot, while
his companions went by water to meet
him at Assos. Such journeying is utterly
inconsistent with the idea that the first day
Of the week was considered or kept as a Sab
bath.
1.-The Apostle Paul moreover directed
the Corinthians q, Cor /, . to attend to
their pecuniary affairs on the first "dgy" of
the week, and to lay by their savings at
home; this also is totally Inconsistent with
the religious occupation of the Sabbath
Ny dear friend, believe me, this Sunday
keeping is not founded on scriptures, it is
remnant of popery, tradition of the
dark ages, with which true protestants must
have nothing to do.
SMITH. Il never heard the matter put in
this light before This is all new to me l
must think upoI what you have said and
talk 10 our clergyman on the subject
DAvIs.-My friend, confer not with flesh
and blood, but take the Bible, and examine
for yourself, and may the Lord direct you
in the examination Of this subject Per
haps you will have no objection to join with
US the remainder of our Sabbath evening
/ exercises.
SMITH Not at all; not at all. Go on.
But there is one question that wish to ak
first Why do you commence your Sabbath
over night?
DAyIs.--I viii answer you in the words
of the Bible From even unto even shall
ye celebrate your Sabbath" " Lev. %, g. J
/ And we learn from the account of the crea-
ton, that 'the evening and morning were
the first day, mot the morning and the
evening" and 50 on with the rest. (Gen. !,
5, s, 13, &c.
Farmer Smith returned home that night,
filed with a determination to search the
scriptures, and know for himself whether
these things were so, or not. Acts Il
IL we must now follow our worthy family
in their Sabbath duties. After a simple
meal, they retired early to rest, that they
might arise betimes in the morning, to at
tend the necessary duties Of the farm, be
fore the time of public worship The hgh
of Sabbath morn has dawned upon tht
earth; 'the unwearied sun displaying tht
glories Of its Maker, has arisen in all il
, wondrous beauty ID the eastern horizon; ant
the feathered throng are bymning fortl
praises to their Creator;-when man, re
freshed with sleep, arises, and pours fortl
his gratitude to bis merciful Father, ant
ever Watchful friend Such was the morn
ing, and such was the feeling Of Farme
Davis and his family, when they assembet
for family prayer, before partaking of thei
early meal The cows, having been MIXED
were let out of the barn yard and, with
few gentle words from their master, the,
quietly walked to an adjoining field, ga,
again to breath the open air, and almos
seeming to participate in the feelings of th
farmer, who, being led from Nature, up t
Nature God; could sing
Thy bountiful care. what tongue can recite ?
1t breathes in the air, it shines in the light;
1t streams from the hills, it descends to th
plain,
And sweetly distils in the dew and the rain
All necessary cares are finished, we FIN
the family, half an hour before the time G
public worship, direct their steps across In
fields to retired spot, where stands al
ancient Meeting house, part of a farm
house, where the brethren are assembling
to worship God on his holy day. Sweet
and joyfully they commenced by singing th
well known hymn composed by Elder 10
seph Stennett for the use of his brethren o.
the seventh day, Sabbath though some
times applied to different day,
Another six days work is done,
Another Sabbath is begun.
Return, my soul, enjoy thy rest,
Improve the day thy God hath blessed.
The voice of praise and the fervent pray
er ascend to heaven; and the disciple
realize the promise of the Saviour, tbs
where two or three are gathered togetht
in His name, He viii be in the midst {
them. They find on earth a HEAVIER
and fore-taste of the bliss Of the eterni
Sabbath. There are also some friend
present, whose faces gladden. the hearts
the brethren; they are the Minister of
) London Sabbath-keepiDg Congregation an