The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1885-08-20
The Anglo-American Theory of the
Sabbath.
BY Il. +. 5.
ARTICLE /.

ARTICLE l.
The treatment of this vital and i'm
portant subject is entered upon, hoping
that it will lead to better apprehen-
sion of the Lords Day and its proper
observance.
Next to the family, this holiday of
rest is the oldest institution that God
established on earth for mans benefit.
1t dates from the earliest history of
man, from the state of his innOcency
and bliss in Paradise, before the evil
one fastened his deadly fangs into the
human race. Like the family, there
for, it has general significance, it be-
ing rooted in the physical, intellectual
and moral constitution of our nature as
it came from the hands of the Creator,
and in the necessity of periodical rest
for health and well being of body and
soul. Without exception, wherever man
has paid his respect to this sacred insti-
tuition, there the divine benedictiOn-a
blessing and comfort rested upon him.
In Gods word we read not only of
its institution, but also of its re-affirm
alton in the Mosaic legislation as a
primitive institution, with an express
reference to the creature and the rest
of God on the seventh day, in cOmplet-
ing and blessing his work, and at the
same time with an additional reference
to the typical redemption from the bon
dage of Egypt. This thought is strik-
ingly set forth in Deut. V: 15-''And
remember that thou vast servant in
sthe land of Egypt, and that the Lord
thy God brought thee out thence through
a mighty hand and stretched out arm:
therefore, the Lord thy God commanded
thee to keep the Sabbath day." In this
passage there is much that concerned
the people of Israel, and there is much
that relates to us of to-day. For the
Israelite, we see from this passage that
they were required to remember their
suppressed condition in Egypt, also their
W UI1 r''' deliverance: and further,
that 9 Will +hor worshiped and gave
thanks to their great DelIv,.> Haaair
ly to allow rest also from labor to r,,
of all grades, and offered the |
man opportunity of becoming acquaint-
ed with God and worship Him, from
which advantages they themselves had
been cruelty and impiOusly restricted by
Egyptian masters. SO it likewise reach
IS man OF to-day in all phases of his
existence and brings to his enjoyment
The respite from labor so necessary to
lis physical and spiritual being.
1t is not embodied in the ceremonial
md civil, so much as it is in the moral
md spiritual law, (which is binding
or all times, and rises in sacred males
y and grandeur far above all human
yStemS of ethics, as Mount Sinai rises
ibove the desert, and the pyramids of
egypt above the surrounding plain
This wonderful and comprehensive law
till stands mountain high-a monitor
o humanity, of the majesty of God,
nd mans deliYerance from the bon
age of sin.
The Jewish Sabbath rose with the
aviOur from the grave, as a new crea-
ion, on the morning of the resurrection.
With the fullness of the gospel saliva
ion, and descended with the Holy
host from his exalted throne of glory
n the day of PentecoSt; to be observed
S the Christian Sabbath, as 1.-The Lords
ay," in his church to the end of time.
IS temporary ritual form was abolish
l, its moral substance was preserved
nd renewed. The Jewish Sabbath was
lptiZed with fire and the Holy Ghost
it was Christianized and glorifed.-
enceforward it was and is emphati-
lily the commemoration day of the
or of the new spiritual
cation and the accomplished redemp- y
On, and hence day of sacred JOY and t
anksgiving, 1.-THE pearl of days. the q
own and glory of the week, and F
retaste and pledge of the eternal Sab E
It'll in heaven,
"a day of sweet rejection,
day Of sacred love;
A day of resurrection T
From earth to heaven above ~