The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1903-06-25

| not only the prOfeSsed church OF GOD at thai
| time, but the heather world also, and these
things led to discussion opposition, and even
| unto death. The principle that led to Sucll
results is found in the words of Christ: Sup
| pose ye that | am come to send peace in the
| earth? ! tell you nay, but rather division, for
| from henceforth there shall be five in one
| house divided, three against two, and two
against three" The truths which he pro-
| claimed and left his followers to teach have
| ever been and must continue TO he dividing
work among mankind. So that if the ser
want of God shall proclaim these truths he
will find discussion and opposition every
| where.
1t is not a pleasure to the writer to intro
duce subjects that lead to discussion, but
| there seemed no other way consistent with
faith than to frankly tell the truth as he I'M
| derstands 1t.
The writer has lived in this valley nearly
| five years, having left his ministerial work
on account of poor health. With health re-
stored in a great measure, and expecting TO
| labor again in the ministry, and perhaps soon
| to leave these associations, he could not DO so
| with clear conscience until he had placed
before the people that which he most solemn
| ly believes.
| The subject under diScussiOn-not in public
| debate, however-vz: "The sabbath" is a
| biblical one, and therefore lawful from a di-
| vine and human standpoint. Its history
and all that pertains thereto was certainly
| proper from one that assumes 70 be a teacher.
The history of the sunday institution was
also proper to bring before the people, as 1t
stands opposed to the Sabbath which God in
| stituted. AS both these institutions are be-
| fore the world for discussion, nay, for de-
cision the writer felt impeled to perform
! what seemed his duty before God in the mat
| ter and to stand or fall before his own Master,
| But who can teach separating truth or doc
| trine without discussion, without opposition,
| private or otherwise? The Master of the Uni
| verse could not and have conditions changed?
| But the writer wished TO tell what he believed
and as he believed it. The opposition came,
| but he is not responsible for that, neither for
| the introduction of the subject which is al
ready before the people in various ways.
1t is affirmed that there is "hatred'' in the
community as the result; but it Is certainly
not in the writer, and in no noTeaSOnabe minds.
We are told that the Union church here is
only so in "name" The writer begs to state
that there is nothing like a union church here
except building Ia which all may freely eX-
press their views, and the writer is only one
among others that have stated views not held
by the majority. That these things may ap-
pear as they are, the writer wishes 10 place
the matter as it stands before the world.
!. There is a clear issue before the people as
to the Sabbath. The legislative, judicial aud
executive departments Of our government
have passed decisions time and again upon
the matter.
2. Large and influential bodies of Christian
sentiment have passed their decisions by con-
slant appeals TO legislatures, to congress and
executives.
3. Ministers and laity of all denominations
have spent much time IN lectures, in writing
and otherwise bringing the subject before the
people.
The large majority believe in observing
Sunday, and to that end more and more
stringent laws are secured for its observance.
A small minority believe in observing the
seventh day according to the commandment:
and further believe that governments have no
right to legislate in such things, because il is
a matter of conscience, over which no man or
set Of men may have Jurisdiction. This mi
nority believe that whether man keep one
day or another, or no day at all, it is not for
any earthly power to argue, condemn or
compel And this principle is forever sealed
In the words of Christi "If any man believe
not, judge him not Neither Christ nor
his disciples ever appealed to the civil power
to uphold their doctrines or practices, and
that was time of the purest preaching the
world has known. And their example
twould be well to follow.
Focusing the real issue, il is this: The great
majority of believers in theScriptures believe
and teach that the decalOgue, in which the
Sabbath covenant is found, is Of eternal obli-
cation on mankind. That said instrumaBt
was given to Israel to teach the whole world
what sin Is, for which man needs an atone
ment. So far is this true that the decalogue
has been adopted in full MS a fundamental ar
tcle of faith and obligation in nearly all de-
nominations. The writer is of this vast ma
1ority. small minority believe that the
decal0gue was given to the Jews only and was
binding on them alone, and that It was abol-
ished at the cross. This is the main ground
OF OppoSltlOn.
The Sunday institution seems to stand
squarely in the way OF any satisfactory or safe
adjustment To the decalOgue, and hence va
riOus and conflicting theories are advanced to
dispose OF the question that must arise and
save the decalogue to the creedS. The writer
holds to the decalOgue as 10 is and believes il
Is only consistent to teach and practice it so
through faith
Now, good Scriptural suggestions as to how
minister can teach unpopular truths or
doctrines or tell just what he believes with
out stirring up opposition or discussion. would
be very interesting reading just now in lieu
of mems opinions of just what should be
taught or how or where it is TO be taught. II
Is not time for criticism on such lines. butit
Is a time for earnest thought upon the princi-
piles involved 10 know the truth and be upon
the right side. The writer UeS.sc2 none. and
will meet in no discussion of the question, but
wishes TO candtdly tell the people what he be
lieveS, and only asks for candid hearing.
And since civil laws and rulers have become
operative in the matter and opened prisons
and the chain gang to take care of those who
believe in religious freedom, there are the
gravest reasons to bring this subject before
the people as 10 Is. C. \. WNMAN.