Mexico weekly ledger. (Mexico, Mo.) 1855-1956, 1883-10-18
SABBATH.

gatlQn nothing seems to be fully set
tied, The public, press frequently
invades the domain Of the pulpit, and
vice versd. Pehaps, after all, this is
best, because it relieves each of any
charge OF encroaching upon the do
main Of courtesy. The press is not
supposed to be expert in sacred
teaching, while the pulpit claims To
be the exponent of biblical literature.
1t is rather remarkable, however, that
the difference between the average
newspaper man and the teacher lat
the sacred desk on theological qnes-
tions, is so small. IAN inspired man
once said of certain class that they
''wereI ever learning but never able
to come to knowledge Of the truth"
This is owing in part to early ednca-
ton, and the consequent prejudice of
opinions. Theiffidence Of the Mosa.
ic economy upon those who live under
the teachings of Christ is certainly
remarkable, and in no point is it
more apparent than in reference to
what is popularly called the Sabbath.
The observance of this day has been
for some time agisssing the popular
mind. On many occasions within the
last century this question has been
uppsrmost, and after stirring up the
popular feelings for time has SUBJ
sided into calm. The Judaizing
teachers who, while protesting faith
in Christ cling to Moses and his law,
seem to have no clear idea of what
Christ taught, and hence they become
mixed up In what is otherwise plain
when once understood. The Sabbath
in Jewish scripture celebrates the
completion of creation, and its OBJ
scrvance was enforced by the severest
penalties until the coming of Christ
in His Kingdom. By common con-
sent it is admitted that Christ never
re-enacted the Sabbath as part Of
the christian economy, but, on the
other hand, abrogated it most effect.
ually. All other parts. of the deca-
logue that were necessary to be per-
petuated He re-enacted, and they are
incorporated in the New Testamen.
Hence, the Sabbath being the seventh
day, is not observed by any except
those who still cling to Moses. All
christendom observes the first day Of
the week, not in commemoratlon Of
completed creation, but in commemo-
ration of the resurrection OF Christ
from the grave. There is, therefore,
no command in the New Testament
to observe the first day of the week.
There is, however, the example Of the
primitive churches that met on the
first day of the week to observe the
Lords supper, and beyond this, there
is no authority for its observance.
This Lords day seems to belong ex-
clusively to the Kingdom of Christ,
as set up by the apostles, and is,
therefore, an ordinance of the church,
just as the Sabbath day was a par,
and parcel of Judaism, for no one
among the. Gentiles seems to have
been subject to its operations or in.
Cured its penalties. If the Lords
day is an institution belonging exclu.
clusively to the Church and Kingdom
OF Christ-and if it be not then il
stands without divine authority
what authority can be found for at
tempting to impose its observance OF
those who are not partakers of that
church and kingdom? You might as
well require an Englishman in his
native country to obey our laws il
America, as. to enforce the Lord
day observance upon one who has nc
belief in Christ, One Of the boasts
Of our civilization is, that church ant
state are as distinct as day and night
But if you can compel by legal en-
actments the observance of the Lord
day by the people, then you can pas
law to compel every man to observ
every other ordinance of the church
and if your legislature happens to b
immersionists they can apd will re
quire' every one to observe this ordi
nance in that way; and this bring
you face, to face with the utter foil,
Of the Sunday law business. A dis
tinguished Bible scholar in this coun
TRY, man whose piety cannot b
questioned, formulates the matter i
these words: 1.-THE whole of th
precepts or commands of the chris
1 tiau religion are contained in the Ne,
Testament But there is no precep
or command in the New Testamen
to compel by civil law any man wh
lis not a christian to pay any regar
to the Lords day any more than I
any other day. Therefore. to compe
] a man who is not q christian to pa
any regard to the Lords day NOR
!, than to any other day, is without au
I thority in the christian religion:
Again: a'The gospel commands n
duty which can be performed wirhou
faith in the Son Of God. Whateve
is net Of faith is sin. But to comps
men destitute OF faith to observe an
christian Institution, such as th
Lords day, is commanding duty t
be performed without faith in God.
i Therefore, to command unbelievel
! ornatura men to observe in any sens
the Lords day., is anti-eyangeica
Or contrary to the gospel" Th