The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-02-22
LORDS DAY WAS
PREACHERS THEME
The Rev. A. R. Moore Discusses
Sunday Observance.
THE CHRISTIAN CONSCIENCE
Difference Between old and New Dis
pensaton as Regards Sabbath.
Christian Dispensatlon Has
Day of Its Own.

First Christian church. preached to
large congregation at the morning ser
vice yesterday, Notwithstanding the in
clement weather. His theme was the
1.-THE Lords Day." His discourse was in
line with the action taken by the pas
tors conference at last meeting in APP
pointing committee of five to. begin
movement that would result in stricter
observance of Sunday in Birmingham.
He said:
"The agitation on the part of the Pas
tors association for the enforcement of
Sunday laws in Birmingham is timely.
All good citizens should take this matter
up That the law is being violated here
cannot be questioned Certain business
houses open for port of the day, when
the law requires that they be closed.
Saloons close their front doors, but do
business through side door, or per-
haps an adjoining restaurant Cases of
this kind are known to exist.
IF the Christian people of Birming-
ham wish to see the law enforced they
should awaken to the needs Of the situa-
ton and demand that the proper au-
thorities enforce the law. Those who
demand a wide open" Sunday are not
backward in letting their wants be
known. If the Christian people were just
as insistant their wishes would be re-
allied. The trouble is that good people
keep still while others do as they please.
No Appeal to Sabbath Law.
But upon what ground should we de-
/ mand the enforcement of Sunday laws?
There should be- with Christians, no APP
peal to the Jewish Sabbath. That was
4 the seventh day. 1t was divine institu-
4 ton, but belonged to dispensation that
has passed away. We should no more
appeal to the ancient Sabbath law than
to the law pertaining to animal sacrifice
for sins. All that has been taken out of
the way, having been nailed to the cross.
THE moral law was restated and rein
forced in the New Testament. The law
pertaining to the Sabbath was not. Moral
principles are now binding upon us not
| because they were a part of the former
dispensation, but because, in addition to
their nature, they have been Incorporated
into the new dispensation. The Sabbath
stood for rest, and commemorated Gods
rest from the work of creation.
1.-THE Christian dispensation has a day
of its own, which is every way separate
and distinct from the Jewish Sabbath.
Our day is the first day of the week. In
the old dispensation the week ended with
IL
begins with worship and religious service
for our fellowman
Inspired Precedent.
1.-THE first day of the week, for its au-
thority, rests upon inspired precedent.
ION this day Christ arose from the dead
On this day He met the first and second
times with His disciples In the upper
room. On this day the Holy Spirit was
given, and the kingdom was thrown open
to the world receiving its first converts,
numbering three thousand souls. This was
the birthday of the church as well as the
resurrection day of Christ 1t was the
day on which the early Christians met
to observe the Lords supper, or keep the
holy communion.
ut was the day on which they made
their offerings for benevolence and for
the support of the cause In short it was
from the very beginning the sacred day
OF the church. John calls 1t the Lords
day. I was in the spirit on the Lords
day. He uses the word Kuriakos a Greek
word which was invented by New Testa-
ment writer's and always refers to Jesus.
The first day of the week is the day of
the Lord Jesus.
Our Sunday laws are based upon Christ
tan conscience In early days Christians
kept the Lords day and any other day
that the law of the land may have re-
CURED When they gained the ascendency
they made the Lords day. the day of legal
cessation from toll, though any who be-
lieve in another day have perfect liberty
to keep any day they wish, provided
they conform to the legal requirements
pertaining to Sunday. Does this work a
hardship upon any. requiring them to
keep two days? 1t should not be so con-
sidered Our laws are but the wish of
the majority. 1t could not be otherwise
in democracy.
IF any mans conscience leads him to
him to do it, In Keeping Sunday he
merely observes the law of the land in
which he lives. If he also keeps another
day he does that for his own conscience
sake. But since the mass of our citi-
zens are Christian believers the laws OF
the land are based upon Christian faith
and conscience. Such laws are intended
to restrain evil doers and they should be
vigorously enforced for the good Of the
entire community. But the Christian man
should act and live above law
Motives Higher Than Law.
His motives are higher than the bare
observance Of law. By every Christian
the Lords day should be regarded as an
opportunity. 1t is an opportunity to cele-
brate the greatest victory the world has
ever seen-the resurrection from the dead.
1t is an opportunity to bring all men to-
gether and unity the race in the worship
of the great head of the church. 1t is an
grandest truths ever delivered to man,
the teachings OF the immaculate Son of
God. 1t Is an opportunity for doing good
to those who may be in distress 1t is
an opportunity to warn the unsaved
against the day Of reckoning. It is an
opportunity to herald to all the world the
second coming Of the Christ and urge all
to prepare to meet Him. To the Chris
Sov rneopo al xtt-