Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1895-08-15
ORIGIN OF SUNDAY.
Gladstone Explains the Christian Change
OF the sabbath.

Gladstone Explains tho Christian Change
of the sabbath.
Tho opinion which required a
great Sabbatarian striotness has in
all likelihood been largely oonse-
Quont upon tho reformation, and
without much critical investigation
of tho case has rested practically
upon the fourth commandment of
tho doCalOguC as it stands 1t did
not however, arise at once out of
the great movement even in Scot
land, where it eventually attained a
pitch of rigOr and exhibited a tenac-
ity Of life probably creator than in
any other Christian country, writes
w. r. Gladstone in McClure's Maya
zinc. IF wo measure Things not as
thoy are divincly intended nor as
they are in themselves, but as they
are subjectivoly entertained, it might
be question whether the Scottish
Sabbath was not for 200 years q
greater Christian sacrament, a lar
ger, moro vital and moro influential
fact III the Christianity of the coun-
try than the annual or sometimes
scmiannual celebration of the Lords
supper or the initiatory rite of bap-
tlsm, or both together. remember
that when half n century ago ships
werc dispatched from Scottish ports
to South Australia, then in its infan-
oy, Laden with we'll organized COM
panlos of omigrants, read the pub
hShcd account of ono of thom that
perfect religious tOloration was es-
tabliShed us the rule on board, but
that with regard to a Fundamental
article of religion like the Sabbath
every ono was of course required to
observe it. Many anecdotes might be
given which illustrate tho Same idea
-an idea open to criticism, but ono
with which tho Presbyterian church
cannot we'll afford to part without
somo risk to tho public power and
general influence of religion.
Tho seventh day of the week has
been dopOSCd from it's tito to obliga-
tory religious observance, and it's
prcroSativo has boon carried over to
the first, undor no direct precept Of
Scripture, hut yet with a Biblical
record of facts, all supplied by st.
John, which go far toward showing
that among the apostles themselves
and therefore from apostolic times
the practice of divine worship on
the Lord 5 day has been continuous
ly and firmly established. The Chris
t1anity took upon itself to alter the
form of tho Jewish ordinance, but
this was with II Wow to giving larger
effect to IL spiritual purpose. The
seventh day had been ordained as
the most appropriate, according to
the docaloguo, for COMMUNICATING
the old creation. Tho advent of our
Lord introduced us to chain Of
events by which alone the benefits Of
the old creation were secured to US,
together with tho yot higher benefits
OF tho now. Tho series of these
events culihinatcd in the resurreo-
ton. With tho resurrection began
for tho Saviour himself q rest from
all that was painful in the process Of
redemption, as on tho seventh day
there had begun rcst from the con.
Structive abOrs that had brought
the visible world into existence and
maturity.
Tho seventh day was the festival
of the old life, accompanied with an
exemption from its divinely appoint
cd burdens. Tho first day was the
festival Of the now life and was
crowned with its constant and low
Gus exercise. The ordinances Of Joint
worship exhibit one particular form
of that exercise Tho act of the
church or Christian community in
altering the day was founded on this
broad and solid analogy and was
also, as has boon Said, warranted by
tho evidence of apostolic practice. "