The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1894-04-11
4 cuglSllN SlBBiru.


TINS che subject he discussed by The
local diyines However much this may
hp dome, we arc sure Boo one of these
worthy dieuuoiies viii object to side
lights thrown in between times, II wider
range of VISION can Do given thereby.
Hawaii b. iust now as never before,
struggling Tor % new national life. ! proc
pose Then we take a view of this subject
in its national bearings The Sabbath
dBy wa4 born "a national day. The
period Of umc marked hy the transfer
nation of million serfs into nation
of freemcn b. marked also by the
ORIGIN. so far as we yet know, Of the
Sabbath day as day oi religious OBJ
seryauee. Six days given to s0il.tilling
and lrrad-wmninE, the seventh devoted
10 submission to q divine command
was the distinguishing feature of the
Jewish milton. To them alone was
given. and upon them only was en- Joined
n holy Observance Of the seventh day Of
the week.
We trace The existence Of the funda-
mental principles of the law. save that
portion Of it embodied in the fourth
commandment, back 20 the beginning OF
time. but we have no evidence of the
prior TO the giving Of the law upon
Mount Sinai We also find that in ia,
centuries which followed no people ex-
cent the Jews were held at all respon-
sible for the observance of the day, but
that nation was held most strictly ac-
countable for its conservation as an
holy dav. Its duties were as clearly
and Enthusiastically defined as was the
appointment of the day itself.
This being the case, what must have
been its specific design or purpose
la the majestic scene portrayed to
our mental vision m this historical
period we see God-.JehOrdh- Supreme
Being. able indeed to deal with "a
mighty hand and outstretched arm with
what was then the most powerful polit-
ical government on the face of the
earth. He proved His power not only
over mans strongest forces. but over
natures mightiest forces as well. He
was not only the Lord of Kings but the
God of the universe. Egyptian divin-
tiles could not stay this hand or shield
their devotees An enslaved multitude
were redeemed from both physical and
mental thralldom.
Such "A Deliverer held rightful claim
to being the new nations Baw-giver;
aud then we find given that most won
derfully unique code the world has ever
seen. 1t is beautifully concise; it is
strangely terse; fountain of legal lore
above which no stream since has ever
risen.
Let us look at what it includes Duty
to God and duty to man, and "Remem-
Der the Sabbath day to keep it holy"
Why this? We find it assigned place
between the two great comprehensive
divisions. Do we not naturally ask,
What is its import? What is its signiii-
canoe? The words of God himself an
swer the question. "H is sign be-
ticeen me and the children of Israel for
eUer."
Now in connection with this, let us
note single historical fact that seems
to throw beautiful light upon it. 1t was
a prevailing custom in those times to
give, as accompanying an important
document or covenant agreement,
sign. The sign was usually cblseled OF
engraven on stone. We see, then, en-
craven on those 1.-TWO tables of stone
the law and the sign, into the covenant
of which the Jewish people entered.
In course of time the Jewish nation
accomplished that for which it was sci
apart. Its days as nation were
numbered No longer was it alone t.
be Gods peculiar people: but new
covenant was to be promulgated which
was to embrace all nationalities. Wa
it to have a sign as did the old, or not
That question pressed itself upon TIN
public mind even in the incipient day
the of new dispensation Christ was re
peatedly asked to give sign from
heaven in proof of his authority, as vii
be seen by referring to any of the follow
ing passages, Matt. l2th, 3S-45; ais
gtI, ma / ul.n 11tl
1G and 20 John, I'd. 1921.
His response to this demand varied /
form, but in substance was invariabl
in keeping with the prophetic uttel
ance of the aged Simeon, who's
hearts desire was realized when he wa
permitted to take the child Jesus in hi
waiting arms and in words freighte
with prophetic import, said, 'this chill
is set for the fall and rising again {
many in Israel; aud for sign Whtc
shall be spoken agdil,st." The succeed
ing verse points forward to the sllel
Sabbath in the tomb, following whic
the Lords Day damned. The sign henc
forth was not on chiseled stone but
living sign in which lay humanity
hone. We will not attempt to folio
the history of the early Christian
through their struggles for period Z
three hundred years, for public recogn
ton of the day in the week, which WI
so full of meaning to the whole huma
family. Constantine, Emperor
Rome, in the third century, was Il
first potentate to both see and act upt
the advisability of legalizing the fin
day of the week for the purpose of +
ligious observance. Since that peri'
one nation after another has follow,
the Roman example in sanctionlng 1t
law. Roman law is built largely on q
principles of the divine law; mode
law is based upon Roman law.
As the Roman recognition OF Z
Lords day became the Christians pr
ilege and boon, SO it is such to-day
every land that honors it by MAXI
that particular portion of time redoul
to mans highest good.
National history and life have ma
lessons for us on this subject. Take
instance that of France. Her Cover
ment has been as unstable as the rect
milton of the day has been tickle a
often sacreligious.
What lessons do we gather upon IT,
looking at our American history !
very be ginnings of national growth We
because of conscience and loyalty
Gods mandates. The Pilgrim Faith
did not brave the dangers of the de-
and uneXplored lands, for the acqul
ton of new territories; but they W.
Seeking first Gods kingdom and
righteousness. But in so doing Il
found the things of which they !
need added unto them.
The Puritan faith lay, with preci
stones, the foundations of grand g
eminent; one the world has chosen
study; che that has been most rio
blessed. The Puritan impress upol
made iI "A land TO be proud of, and
yield a tribute of honor to that staul
and sturdy faith that so Loyalty guar
the Christian Sabbath from even the
pearances of evil To be sure, we to-
smile ut the strictness imposed upon