The Red Cloud chief. [volume] (Red Cloud, Webster Co., Neb.) 1873-1923, 1914-03-12


made for man and not man for the Sab
bath."-Mark 2:27.
These two sections of scripture
have been chosen that we might en-
phasize the truth. of the golden text
which can correctly be translated,
1.-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 Ia to make It q holi.
day, the other to make it holy-day,
to worship the day as though 1t 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 loosins the woman, 1870
~. This incident Is a 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 for the hardness Of the
hearts of these men. The incident
occurred in a synagogue and displeas-
ed the leaders. AS II 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. 11:2S-30.
Jesus could have healed by a word
only, John 5:40.43, but there Is power
also in the loving touch, which In this
case Quickened her faith ". 49,. The
record does not suggest that hericure
was in response to her faith as was
the case In other cures, Matt. $40;
1928. II the ruler had had 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. 4:9-1) is here de.
nounced as hypocrisy wv. Is, 16). 1t
Is to have more interest In property
than in human souls. Outlines hatred
for those who do not agree with US is
covered up by false fanatical pre-
tended jealousy for the law Of God
Loves Attribute.
u. Jesus healing the man, AIS. II
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" ". II
Receiving no reply. Jesus first healed
the man and then again reminded
them Of the care they gave their cat
lie. Jesus plainly implies that II they
give care to an OK or an ass on thu
Sabbath. how can 1t possibly be wronf
to relieve humanity on the Sabbath
Mercy and love are superior to cere
monies though these be Of divine ap
pointment. The reasoning Is clear
Love Is an attribute OF Gods charac
ter, I. John AS. and therefore his owl
ceremonies must give way before tn
activities and energies Of his being
Thus to act upon the principles tina
concern the value OF an "or or an ass
is to allow the lower to control tn
higher, for q man is Of more valu
than the OK. These Pharisees wer
exceedingly religious, great for tn
letter Of the law" but they wer
dried up at heart, end consequently
far worse OF than the man with tn
dropsy. It is small wonder then tina
the masters reply should silence Their
SO "they could not answer him"
Tho Teschlng.-.It Is true that fur
damentally the Sabbath idea Is on
OF worship and rest. but the reaso
for its existence Is because Of man
need of that rest. That true rest ca
be found only In a true and INTEL
gent spiritual fellowship with Coz
Anything. therefore. that interfere
, with or binders rest breaks the Sal
bath and should DO removed In orde
!. that the Sabbath intention may be oil
served. These men were justified
leading an OK or an ass to water o
the Sabbath or to rescue one in peri
On the same principle any wor
!. which enables men to enter into
. Sabbath rest is not only justifiable bl
:, necessary in the interest Of the Sal
= bath itself. They cared for cattle Of
ly as cattle. their property; we mus
4 care for men for their own sakes an
y In his interest and behalf.
: The Sabbath must never be des
4 Grated by being made an instrumei
o Of harm to man. II is always des
q Grated when, in the presence of h
II man need. We decline to render ser
ice on the plea of the sanctity OF II
4 day. A false ceremonial sanctity
I any particular day must never be pc
" mitted TO destroy the underlying, Il
= frulv essential sanction and authn