Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-06-16

whom am well pleased Matt, xviI:5,
hear ye Him." Here is proclamation of
Christ's divinity as 1t had been taught in
Scripture psalm ND, as Jesus Himself
confessed 1t. John, iii:16J The expression
OF approval was the same as that given at
the baptism Matt. iii:1O. But this was
preliminary to the Injunction to hear Je-
sus. The design was to set Him forth as
the authoritative teacher In sacred things,
promised aforetime (Deut, xviii:1s-1s; Isa.,
iy:D. superior to Moses and Elias tHeb.,
hf:b-e). Jesus thus displaces the prophets
and becomes the head of the new covenant
3. The cloud and the voice frightened the
apostles, who fell on their faces Matt.
xvii:6). an act of reverence among orien-
talfsts (Gen., xvii:3). Men who become con-
scious of the divine presence are generally
seized with fear Judges, kill %; Dan, x:S),
q most natural and becoming emotion on
such occasions. 4. But Jesus came and
touched John many years after. and said,
arise, be not afraid, Then lifting up
their eyes they saw no man save Jesus only,
and He was In ordinary apparel. Moses and
Elias were gone. The glory had departed.
The four stood face to face again. in no
wise different from what they had been,
plain men in the heights OF Hermon, ready
to descend to the valley and resume their
work.
PROFOUND SECRET. Matthew
informs us (chapter xvii:O that as they
came down the mountain Jesus charged the
apostles not to mention the vision until
that they kept It close. In their after min
tstry they did record 1t In the gospels and
epistles QI Peter, i:16-1s). why this ST.
ience2 Why should not the other nine
KNOW And what relation was there be-
tween the TRANSPORTATION and the resurrec-
tionf T. There is a proper order Of truth
one doctrine prepares for another. A large
part OF the skepticism and bewiIderment
common among men Is due to their effort to
grasp things out OF their order. The signiii-
canoe OF this mountain scene could not ap-
pear until certain great doctrines were ac-
eepted. And then the world must be ready
Tor truth. and teachers must be compe-
tent to set 1t forth. When Jesus comes out
or the sepulcher the apostles will be able
to correlate this teaching and the church
ready to receive. Let a man preach out of
a full heart what men need not what they
will abuse. Truth has its day when It's ad-
vocates may speak.
CONCLUSION.-Proba the transflg-
uration Is the most remarkable single event
In the life Of Jesus. 1t sheds light upon al
most every doctrine Of religion The unity
of the dispensations. the reality of a fu-
ture life and the communion of the saints
OF all ages-these themes are suggested
here. The event Is made the basis of teach
ing concerning mans body (Phil. iii:2D,
But the chief use to be made concerning
the passage Is to exalt Christ, the being OF
two worlds able to speak in both Here
are exhibited His glorious person. His d.
vine sonship. His heavenly association, His
authority. The lesson finds its climax on its
earthly side in the words mo man save
Jesus only" and on the heavenly side in
the words. This is Ny beloved Son"
Questions Answered.
Any person may mail any biblical cues
ton to DR.. Gilbert, 1903 R street, this city,
and receive answer in The Star.
1913 Why should an edict of the fourth
century change the day to be observed as
the Sabbath. thus violating the plain COM
mand of Scripture?
Answer. The day was not changed by an
edict. The change did not violate a plain
command Of Scripture. Constantine, A D.
321, prohibited labor on "the venerable day
Of the Sum (Dies Solis), as he designated
an ancient heather holiday, but that
had no reference to Christianity The
Nicene council. A. d. 325. in its twen-
tieth canon. merely regulated the mode
OF observing the Lords day which
previously existed, as is evident from
several facts. Pliny the Younger, a
Roman governor, In an official letter two
centuries before the council refers to the
Christians as worshiping on the first day.
Justin Martyr, A. D. 140. and eminent faith
after him, mention the Lords day as
observed in their time. That the apostles
kept the first day is proved by eight New
Testament references. Their right to
ration John, xvi:13), and their legislative
authority Matt, xviii:1S) Their practice
fulfilled divine purpose. (Hos., HID The
change in the day delivered the Sabbath
from traditional legalism. with which the
Pharisees annoyed Jesus Matt, xii:10),
and made spiritual exercises possible (Rev
t:10. But for the change Christians would
have been a sect of the Jews. We follow
the apostles in this as in all other religious
matters-we have no other guides. The
new day is in harmony with the law of
Moses, both in spirit and In letter eek, Xxx:
9-10) That law does not prescribe Satur-
day, but the day following six work days.
1t provides septenary division of time, six
parts labor, one part rest and worship. The
reference to Gods work and rest eek, Xxx:
III does not enjoin particular day but
gives reason for the septenary plan. A
seventh day in regular succession from Gre
alton cannot be computed, but If computed,
it could not be simultaneously observed in
all parts of the globe. Sunday is the only
Sabbath of this dispensation. Recognized
in the New Testament, established by the
apostles. maintained through all Christian
centuries, perpetuatfng the essentials Of the
original Sabbath 1t must continue a memo
rial of the resurrection, the bulwark of
Christianity.