The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1876-12-27

lures on the Evolution of Mollusks into men,
and f9ur.toed animals into horses; on Geolo-
gical theories to the twentieth and a hundred
and twentieth; on pre-Adamite worlds; or pre-
historic man on eerth's strata, and such like,
will fad more mental Improvement than in
hearing those on the grand themes OF God,
of Jesus Christ, of the Holy Spirit, their ma
ture and work in mans salvation, the gov
eminent of God, mans relation to Him, the
sOul-its nature, power, destiny; the glorious
rewards or awful retributions of an eternal
Judgment? Will Shakespeare readings be
more suggestive of high moral principles and
resolves, than readings of Him "who spake
as never man spake?" VIII the settled
principles of science aid men as much to "do
Justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with
God?" Win the family and social relations
be improved by discussing the unending,
unsettled theories of science And while ad'
mitsiOg that many ministers fail to interest
their hearers, are we sure that the lecturers
on Science will succeed any better 10 short,
on the alleged grounds of the advocates OF
this slater gospel" are We sure that labor
ers will have sny more adequate suthclency
of culture TO appreciate science than to ap-
preciate religion Are not Sabbath Schools,
and Bible classes, and Bible readings, at least
as hopeful methods of educating the poorer
classes?
But it is said that the Bible is full of mys-
teries, and plain people cannot understand
them. Well, has science no mysteries Have
these lecturers yet told US precisely, all
about the mysteries of the lOad-stOne, Of
light, of heat, of electricity? But we are
told that Jesus abolished the Sabbath
When and where? He INDICATED Himself
from the charge of violating it, whereas had
| it been regarded as void of obligation lie
would have simply denied any responsibility
in the premises, as He did when He refused
to Judge the merits of quarrel over secu-
lar interests. Isaiah, in describing the piety
of the new dispensation (chsp. wi: Al;
lviii Is expressly recognises the spiritual
nature of Sabbath obligations. Along with
taking hold of His covenant, hOnOring
Him." we fad "cslling the Sabbath de-
light. aud honorable" and "nOt polluting it. !"
Paul speaks of the abolition of sabbath" as
"days, shines" &c., belonging to the cere-
monisl institutions of the Jews. (COl. ii:
Is. aud Gal. iV: 8, 1O.) But Paul and all
early Christians observed the Lords day, as
accordant with the Old Testament institu-
ton, of one day in seven, selecting the first
instead of the sepeatk because it commend
rated also our Lords resurrection.
8. And why, if the poorer classes SO much
need recreation and instructive amusement,
may they not receive it on an evening of a
secular day? God asks one day for His
special service; why must men rob Him OF
His rights? Why hold out temptations to
refuse the "means of grace" He has pro-
vided, for a doubtful benefit, even for time,
and certain evil for eternity? The Sab
bath, rightly observed, by testimony which
would fill volumes, has been the great bles
sing Of our race Let as be warned on the
one hand, and encouraged on the other. Let
US ever protest against views, insidiously
presented under the gsrb of regard for "the
poorer classes" which will, if carried into
practice, sap the foundations of all true piety
towards God and man, fill penitentiaries and
empty churches, break down the fences
which hedge ia from evil, aud open the gates
which lead men to ruin for this world and the
world to come.