Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1914-03-12


These two sections of scripture
have been chosen that we might EN-
phasize the truth of the golden text
which can correctly be translated,
THE Sabbath was brought into being
on account of man, and not man on
account of the Sabbath"
There are two extremes of thought
and action as regards the Christian
Sabbath. One is to make it holi-
day, the other to make it a holy-day,
to worship the day as though it pos
sessed some secret sacredness there
by forgetting the author of the day.
A study of what Jesus taught will
check laxity on the one hand and cor
rect fanatical error on the other
Contrast Shown.
I. Jesus Iocsina the woman, 1870
IL. This incident is strong contrast
between Gods mercy and mans lack
of mercy Satan was to blame for the
woman's Illness ". 49, and at the
same time fer the hardness of the
hearts of these men. The incident
occurred in synagogue and displeas-
ed the leaders. AS if to rebuke them
jesus not only spoke the word of
relief but also touched her. causing
an instantaneous and complete cure.
Her response was to glorify God. The
sight OF this satanic captive acted in
contrast upon Jesus and the ruled of
the synagogue. Compassion and an
utter lack of sympathy. More care
for legalism than for the relief of one
created in Gods image. Jesus seems
to have acted speedily and is today
calling the unfortunate to him to be
healed and comforted. Matt. 11:28-30.
Jesus could have healed by word
only, John 5:40-43, but there is power
also in the loving touch. which in this
case quickened her faith ". 13). The
record does not suggest that her cure
was in response to her faith as was
the case in other cures, Matt. $40;
1928. II the ruler had had a heart
of compassion he too would have re-
joiced at the cure, but he cared more
for ceremonial ecclesiasticism than
for the good of the worshipers and
his emotion was that of indignation
rather than that Of joy. A religion
that is more concerned with bondage
to the beggarly elements, the observ'
ance of days (Gal ACID is here de-
nounced as hypocrisy (vv. Is, 16). It
Is to have more interest in property
than in human souls. Outlines hatred
Sor those who do not agree with US Is
covered up by a false fanatical pre-
tended jealousy for the law of God.
Loves Attribute.
II. Jesus healing the man, AIS. In
this incident the question of the Sab
bath is raised by Jesus himself, evil
IDENTIFY in answer to their mental at
titude. for they watched him" ". ID.
Receiving mo reply, Jesus first healed
the man and then again reminded
them of the care they gave their cat
tie. Jesus plainly implies that if they
give care to an OK or an ass on the
Sabbath, how can it possibly be wrong
to relieve humanity on the Sabbath?
Mercy and love are superior to cere-
monies though these be of divine APP
pointment The reasoning is clear.
Love is an attribute Of Gods charac-
ter, /. John As, and therefore his own
ceremonies must give way before the
activities and energies of his being.
Thus to act upon the principles that
concern the value of an ''or or an ass"
is to allow the lower to control the
higher, for a man is of more value
than thu OK. These Pharisees were
Exceedingly religious, great for the
letter of the law" but they were
dried up at heart, and consequently
far worse off than the man with the
dropsy 1t is small wonder then that
the masters reply should silence them
so they could not answer him.
The Teaching.-It is true that fun
damentally the Sabbath idea is one
of worship and rest, but the reason
for its existence is because of mans
need of that rest. That true rest can
be found only in e true and intelli-
gent spiritual fellowship with God.
Anything, therefore, that interferes
with or hinders rest breaks the Sab
bath and should be removed in order
that the Sabbath intention may be OBJ
served These men we're justified in
leading an OK or an ass to water on
the Sabbath or to rescue one in peril.
On the same principle any work
which enables men, to enter into a
Sabbath rest is not only justifiable but
necessary in the interest of the Sab
bath itself. They cared for cattle on
ly as cattle, their property; we must
care for men for their own sakes and
in his interest and behalf.
The Sabbath must never be des4
Grated by being made an instrument
of harm to man. 1t is always desc
Grated when, In the presence of hui
man need, we decline 20 render serv-
ice on the plea of the sanctity of tho
day. A false ceremonial sanctity OF
any particular day must never be per-
mitted to destroy the underlying, the
truly essential, sanction and author
ity for Sabbath rest Physically we