Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1901-05-20

- >AAAAAS Al Lie lTSI G0rlSJlan
church, the Rev. c. NJ. Oliphant. the
pastor. delivered an interesting and an
propriate sermon upon the topic. ..The
opening OF the Pan-American EXPOSE
ton on the Lords Day." He chose as
his text Mark II. 27-2S: and he said
unto them, The Sabbath was made for
man, and not man for the Sabbath.
therefore the Son of man is Lord also
of the Sabbath
In both the Old and New Testaments
we find it stated that there shall be one
DAY In seven on which the people were
to have their minds free from secular
duties and engage in spiritual duties.
therefore can We afford to have the
doors OF the Pan-American Exposition
opened on the Lords Day In 1901? We
cannot afford to look at this question
in the light of what we would have. as
mans will is not always the best. but
we must look at it in the light of God s
will-the highest possible standard of
right. There is a general principle in
DIVINE relations that will lead us in
this and every other question to the
right. There are not special laws in
every case as here, however; we look
too much for these, as ecclesiastic laws
are sometimes CALLING yokes on the
necks of men. when Christ came he
put new wine of Truth into the old
bottles of the old oracles and it broke
them all to pieces, yet he showed what
he intended. the danger of looking too
much to the letter of the law and losing
sight of the spirit.
First Principle.-H proved that that
which was necessary must override
that which was ceremonial, and reIer-
red to the account in Mark where the
disciples were passing through the
corn field on the Sabbath day, and be-
ing hungry. began plucking the ears,
when the PhariseeS rebuked them for
doing that which was unlawful on the
Sabbath day, and Christ replied to
them, referring them to the time when
David and those that were with him
entered the house of God in the time
of Abiathar, the high priest, and did
eat the shew bread. Taking an Illus
tration from the present time, he re-
ferred to the case of running the big
ocean steamers, as it was impossible to
stop them on the Sabbath day.
The second principle referred to was
the principle of mercy Mercy cannot
be circumscr1bed by rules and cere-
monies, it and salvation are the promi-
nent features Of Christ teachings,
while ceremony Is subordinate. The
Jews thought of the law as its spirit
was exemplified by the priests and the
leviteS, who saw the man fallen among
thieves, but passed by upon the other
side to attend to their ceremonies and
their sacrifices. The good Samaritan
had compassion and gave the man the
necessary attention. This was mercy
without ceremony. The question for
us now is how far are we in the bond
age of the letter and what advancement
have we made in the liberty OF the
spirit?
He has grown in the true spirit or
Christ who cannot associate with pup
licans and sinners and not be demon
allied; who can touch pitch and not pc
defiled; who can take up serpents and
play with them; who can drink the
deadly drug and it not hurt them, but
who among us has reached that degree
of excellence? Who can come out Of
Sunday into blue Monday and wear the
white robe of Sundays service and not
soil it? Who can go from the family
altar into the giddy whirl OF midweek
fashions and enjoyment and Chrlst Is
associated with wedding bells and we'd
ding feasts and wine drinking, etc, and
vet remain without sin? 80 is he the
grandest Christian who can make every
day holy alike: make Saturday so holy
that Sunday cannot be holier. But we
have not yet reached that degree or
perfection. and hence one day IN seven is
set apart for religious observance ana
worship. 1t was not set apart for idle
ness, not for sleep, but for the Lord
service, and that is true rest. People
have various other ideas OF rest, but
not are sufficient for not attending
church.
The third principle is life. Life con-
trolls the little laws, and when it is at
stake all laws and ceremonies must
stand aside. Physicians must attend
the sick. and we must eat food. The
same is true of all ordinances The
Lord made them to elevate, to redeem
and ennoble human nature. Whatever.
therefore, will contribute to this end
must be in harmony with Gods will.
Therefore. test the opening of the Pan
American Exposition on Sunday n nd
see if it is in harmony.
First, on the ground of necessity.
The people OF North and South America
could not for long time decide whether
or not they wanted the Pan-American
Exposition, therefore it was not neces-
harry.
Other exhibitions of similar char
acter have thrived without being open
on Sunday. For instance, the philadel-
phia Exposition in 1876. Some make
the plea however. that the laborag
class who can not so well attend On
week days, should have the privilege
OF attending on this day | answer this
by saying that those who cannot take
time to attend on week days nave not
the money to attend Sundays. Again,
it is impossible for many of those to
attend except those living near Buifaio,
and the visiting OF the exposition would
not afford them day of rest or ser
vice. The real blessings of I'll Lor
are thereby not given him.
Second. on the ground OF mercy
surely not To those who argue that
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