The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1876-01-29

Bridgeport, w. Jan. "A, 1876.
The Sabbath Question.
ElItOrs Of the InlellIgencer:
NUMBER
The enemies OF the Sabbath assert
with much assurance that 1t was an in
stitution that was given to, and only
intended for the Jews.
The Jewish economy, in its main object,
the development to the world Of Gods
purpose Of grace, in its origin, plan, and
manner Of accomplishment, was q great
advance on the Patriarchal dispensation.
CONTRAST.
In the latter, all the knowledge OF the
past came down by tradition; but in the
Jewish dispcnsatiOn We come to the age
Of written history. Yet, in the brief ac-
count given OF the creation Of the world,
and the history OF the race we are not to
attribute any OF the uncertainty OF tradi-
ton; but are to remember that il Is an
inspired record, having God for its auth
or, and that Moses only spake, or wrote,
rs he was moved by the Holy Ghost.
We are also to remember that it was
not his purpose TO write minute history
OF creation, or OF the race, but simply 10
make the Author OF the universe known
to his fallen creature man; TO make
known 10 him the relation that he sus-
tanned 10 his Creator at his origin, his
present relation occasioned by the fall
the promise OF his restoration; the effects
OF his fall in leading TO universal de-
pravity; and Gods hatred Of sin and de-
termination to punish it, as shown by the
deluge; the renewal Of his promise OF
grace; the relapse OF the world into ldOla-
t.y; the calling OF Abraham and the his
tory OF that portion Of his progeny that
was Immediately embraced in the cove
nant; the bondage in Egypt; the deliver
ance; the covenant at Sinai and the giving
Of the law. So we see that the sacred his.
torian, in writing an inspired account Of
$500 years Of the worlds history, merely
touches on salient points, Us far as was
necessary for the purpose he has in view.
This historic summary was given first TO
the Jews, but only because that through
them God would reveal himself 70 the
world, and the facts here recorded have
lust as much relation 10 the whole race OF
mankind as they had to the Jews.
MAN NOT WITHOUT LAW.
We must not however conclude that
man was without law all this time. There
can be no transgression where there is no
law; but where there is no transgression
there can be no guilt; and consequently
no punishment.
The destruction Of the world by the
food, was announced 10 Noah rs judg-
ment for sin.
What law had been violated? II must
have been the law that was written in the
heart Of man at his creation, referred to
Rom. II. 5, and that was afterwards writ.
ten BY the finger Of God, on tables oil
stone, at Sinai; the moral law, or the ten
commandments. =,
The law given Us test Of mans obedi-
cnce, or the covenant of works, Gen. ii,
IL, was given to Adam in his representa-
tive capacity, and applied to him alone.
The only other laws given before the
flood, were the law Of marriage, Gen. ii.
81, and the law Of the Sabbath, Gen. ii. 8.
Besides these, we have Immediately
after the flood, the law Of murder, Gen.
*. Q.
It will be observed that all these laws
we're founded on general and permanent
reasons, and were given for the race.
MORAL LAW OF PERPETUAL OBLIGATION.
The law written in the heart Of man,
that was vindicated by The deluge; that
was afterwards proclaimed at Sinai under
such circumstances as could leave no
doubt as to It's author, nor OF his right
to exercise authority and command obe-
dience, is also the law by which he will
Judge the world at the last day.
This law then was not peculiar TO the
Jews, but has been recognized by all
Christian nations as Of universal and
perpetual obligation, and has been made
the basis OF all human laws that have
reference 10 the moral duties oil men.
The law OF the Ten Commandments was
made the basis Of the Jewish Code, which
had God for its author.
1t must, however, be observed that the
decalogue did not form any part OF the
ceremonial law Of the Jews, which pass
cd away with their existence as nation.
They. fare in their very nature Of univer-
sal and perpetual obligation. In the
very heart Of this code We find theionrIh
commandment.
Upon what principle then can we &C
knowledge the obligations Of all the other
commandments Of the decalogue and re-
iect this? II il has ever been set aside
by its author let our opponents show us
where. H.