The Marietta journal. [volume] (Marietta, Ga.) 1866-1909, 1886-12-09

bled apostles was because of their
common abode. They were scatter
ed, every one going to his business,
after our Lords crucifxion. lie does
net prove that they had common
abode at this time; nor did they.
They met for religious purposes, he
grants. He grants also the same for
Acts 20, l. Here are two instances.
Let any one consider how a collec-
ton can be taken unless an assembly
be held, and when the usual place
and occasion of such offertories are
made, and he will find that 1st Cor.
10, 2 is another, Mr.. Bliss to the con-
trary Notwithstanding. The day is
likewise referred to in Rev. |, 10. 1t
Is called here ''The Lords Day" and
especial significance seems to attach
to it as such. He says | overlook
st. Paul's preaching on the Sabbath
day. | do because it does not bear
on the subject, st. Paul also preach
ed in the synagogues. If there is
anything in his argument it proves
too much. 1t must also prove, in
the same way, that st. Paul was not
Christian but Jew. But he was
not a jew in religion. And the sep
aration from Judaism was gradual.
Yet we find him denouncing St. Pc
ter tor his Judaizing teachings. He
preached when and where he could
collect the people, just as mission
airy to-day would preach on any day
of the week.
Again, ''llistorians give no relia-
bic authority for the change of the
Sabbath until Constantine's time"
Thus he appeals to history.
First, he insinuates, and | am in
formed here said, that Constantine's
edlct, year 325 A. d., changed the
day OF observance. Now here is
something quite wonderful. When
through the reigns of ten Emperors
the Christians OF that day of church
purity had given, gladly and volun-
tarily, their lives in defense of their
faith, they resign it meekly, with
never one protest to the will of Con-
stantine. Everywhere and imme-
diately this change is made, and new
er word concerning it in the re-
cords of the Council of Nice of that
year The whole church obeyed in
stantly and without one objector or
comment upon it, Here is some
thing startling to man of intelli
gence. 1t is an absurdity. And i'm
aglne only few years later Jno.
Crysostom referring to it as a custom
held to from most primitive times;
when, if Mr.. Bliss is correct, within
the memories of his hearers the day
was changed
But there is a good and true histo
ry to prove that change had been.
See the words of 1gnatius "A. d. 100,
when he urges the Magnesians mot
to Sab6atize with the Jews, but to
lead life agreeable to Lords Day,
on which our life was raised from the
dead by Him."
Pliny, heather magistrate, soon
after st. Johns death (whose letters
are still extanD, learned from some
christians that their custom was to
meet early in the morning on GER
tain fixed day which Ignatius explains
was Sunday to sing hymns to Christ
as their God and to bind themselves
with "A sacrament to do no evil and
afterwards to partake of a common
feast.
Suppose we concede that the Cath
Ollie Church made this change. What
do we mean by "Catholic"? Roman
Catholic? not at all. This was the
name and only name known for the
Christian Church Of primitive times.
And what was that Church! 1t was
and is the Body of which Christ is
Head. 1t was the fold from whence
came the Scriptures of the New les
lament. 1t was instructed by our
Lord in every essential point of its
organic existence, and endowed with
His authority, Ono. 20: q ct all
If they or it changed the day of
observance, it did 50 as divinely in
s str and authorized By Christ
Himself.
There is absolutely no record of
the change in the sense of command
70 change anywhere, but no history,
primitive or otherwise is there which
does not recognize the Lords Day as
an institution in the Christian
Church for the. Sabbath of the Jews,
the New Testament itself bearing
witness to its observance.
As | began by saying | intend no
controversy, so | end. But l devout-
" pray that the truth may shine up
on the minds of Mr.. Bliss and those
whom he represents, and that he will
leave the work Of attempted under
mining of the christian strongholds
Of faith, and return to the bosom of
the Church Of God and strive with
her to reunite disordered and sun