, 1875-06-27
THE AMERICAN SABBATH.
Oh WHICH DAY?

CHICAGO, June A-In my brief references I,
the sermon OF, the Rev. Norman L. Mi1lerd, OF
| the American Sabbath, WAS happy to say OF it
it .'is in the main . commendable litar&1y Itro
| duction. showing the true philosophy Of tn
! Sabbath with it's happy resulta." In thi
bad reference to his "discussion OF the his
! tory Of Sabbath observance in Europe and Amer
ica its relation to our ctyl and religious liberty
and its value with reference to the intelligence
and virtue OF the people, and the permanence oi
our free Institutions In this regard the Sab
bath Ii an invaluable Blessing to rnan. It is .
richer blessing to the Christian man when be
appreciates lts Divine philosophy and makes it a
Sabbath to his SOUL I loot upon all efforts to
hold it up in its true character ~ IS commands
ole.- -:
made but eingle criticism, that is NOW ba~
coming common, that any indeiniteness with
regard to the time Of the Sabbath, as 1t one day
in seyeu," OF *.the seventh part Of time" is i
prolific cause Of no-Sabbathism in the land.
Whoever will show from The Word Of God that
Sunday Or the first day Of the week, ia a recog-
nized day Of tue Sabbath, will stop the swelling
tide Of -Babbathism- Till that is shown It
it's Observance, that will make that obae1v-
ance = blessing to the soul. 4 civil
Law Sabbath called by any name, as American
Sabbath or other name. carries no higher sacred
ness than is embodied in it's name. Such q
Sabbath cannot meet tha wants OF the Church or
tue soul IN 1ts shivings for higher spiritual
life,
have no controversy With Mr. Mil}erd Oh sfde
issues, nor do / undervalue minds OF sects,
when perchancs they may be small OF singular,
when great Truth affecting the interests OF ~
ligion is concerned. No man or Sect great OF
small is Of any account IN cou,-
OF no tu1e Of Judging Of any
iaw, hunan Or Divine, but BY the terms Of that
Law. SO Judgment IN our courts il rendered. II
there are doubts as to the meaning OF the Law,
the court Of last resort gives fnal decision. So
LaWgiver. Il will avail msn nothing il he Rives
It different interpretation, according to the
conditions in which he finds himself The con-
diton Of the world Or Church, At any mans ad-
vent into it, cannot be rule for his goveru-
ment, whan there Is higher law given for bis
conduct
It is commonly believed that Christ axosa
from the dead On the first day Of tie week"
That may be 30 but such An event does not
do facto prove thet On that account N or9nn.e
law OF Gods government Was changed, nor is it
IN proof Ia coauecticn With that event that
Christ OF His disciples so understood it, or ever
regarded the day ~ sacred On that account.
Tho eVangelists, in speaking Of the res.
direction, simply record the language OF the
angel to the woman, when they came to the
sepnlchre. He is risep," without any intima-
ton Of the Tins bf that event. John, instead OF
this language, nsee the words OF Mary, "Thay
have taken SWAY the Lord out of the sepulchre.s
There ID no mention made Of tho time of that
event, nor Is there in any passage any signif-
cance attached TO that time. 1t i5 also supposed
"that the early Christians were accustomed tn
assemble for worship and for breaking brad on
the first daT Of the week" That msy b. 30;
but the proof would establish it, 4 c1osa eY.
animation Of tbs proof-texts used for this DIR
pose contains no such intimation. 4 single
event doea not establish custom. That Ia IN
that can be said Of tho meeting for breaking
bread. In no cnse is it said that Christians IS.
senbled Tor worship on the first day OF
the week. I am unwilling to disturb
any sac1adne:s Inst the Scripturea attach
to the Lords day. All want Is tae PROOF that
any day Of tho week is 30 designated in the
Scriptures, Or by my fair Interpretation is 80 un-
derstood-
While that part Of the Christian world which
holds connection with tbs Homan Church. or Ia
au ohshoot from it direct Or remote may have
been satisfied with the observance OF |
Tho first day Of ths week; apother nart
of the Church has always held eacred the
seTenth day OF tho week. In the f1fth coutury
th1s Practice Was general No onB denonaina-
aoh, however numerous, can claim to b rnore
tncn limited minority in comparison with the
whole and ret Ill are couteuk to ho,d thefr |
Flews and their minorities together, and eener- |
lily With kind words and feelings towarus aach |
other. But numbers, great or small, have never |
oeen taken lnto account IN Judging sha co.1sos- |
ness Of Bibla doctrines
In cloainE his reply H. MilIasd sass: .tIf il
Kould be Of any avall We would earnestlY entreat
slr. Bailey, and those who >ea with him. to |