The Green Forest tribune., 1918-02-01
1. The Sabbath a Boon, Not a Burden

that this passage, particularly verse 23, indicates something of the poverty and simplicity of the lives of the disciples, that they lived not only day at time but literally from hand to mouth. America is the most prodigal nation on the globe, but it is today facing the ne- ceSsity of conservation and retrench- ment not because it is desired but of necessity in winning this great world war struggle. Perhaps this will prove to be a boon growing out of the dark ness of the days through which we are passing.
 Notice that the disciplines were not particularly criticized because they plueked and appropriated the grain that belonged to another even though it was for their bodily needs, but be- cause they did it on the Sabbath day The Jewish law permitted them to take chat which did not belong to them because of their necessity, but would net permit them to do it on the first day of the week. The criticism of the Pharisees, based upon Deut. ,: :14; Ex. 31:15, though apparently scriptural, was however, based upon an incom- pete Knowledge and application of those scriptures. Jesus shows them first that ceremonial prescriptions and laws must give way before the needs of man and he cites the ease oG David as an illustration. Again he shows them that the demands of the temple service were superior 10 the prescrip- lions of the common law (See Matt. 12:5 @, that he himself, is greater than the temple for lie is the one in whom God tabernaeled (John 1 ii l.. Y. Bfargin). The Sabbath law there fore must give way before the neces- sify of Christian service. Again he shows that mercy is more than sacri- fee, and so ceremonial demands must give way before the needs of mercy and compassion. lie also shows them that the Sabbath was made for man (yy. 27, PSI rather than man for the Sabbath. He, the "S6n of Man." is the consummation and head of the race, Lord even of the Sabbath, and as Lord of the Sabbath he has set aside the seventh day Sabbath, which was the shadow of things to come (COl 2:1D and belongs to the old order and dis Pensation. It is true that we have no right to judge any man regarding the Sabbath (Col. :16, ID, but as Chris tians who are risen with Christ" (Col. 3:D we are to keep the Lords Day, (Rev l :10), the first day of the week, (Acts 20:7) the resurrection day, and are under no law whatever to keep the seventh day. Let those who are under grace keep the first day (Gal. :10) not as day of bondage but as one of Christian liberty and privilege, not. however, seeking their own com fort, refreshment and pleasure, but in all things the pleasure and glory of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ (Rom. 3, f Rev l: :10), and if we must minister let it be in the ministry of compassion in his name.
 Ii. A Proper Use of the Lords Day {Ch. :1-5). It is somewhat unfortu- nate, our divisions of the Scripture in- to chapters and verses. This next passage is really a practical applica- ton and illustration of the principle with which Jesus has just been deal- ing It was the custom of Jesus to frequent the synagogue on the Sab bath Day Uuke :16) the day upon which the Jews still gathered in large numbers. We need to note (v. ? that the question which was asked of him was not a fair question, not so much honest seeking for information, but rather they watched him" for they wanted to find something with which to trap him. Jesus taught that it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath Day, that it is lawful to heal on the Sab- bath Day (Matt. 12 :10) that it is law , ful to restore a lost ass or OK on the Sabbath Day Nuke IA D; Matt. 12 :1D that a man is of more value than sheep (Matt. 12 :13), and that the new methods and new times demanded new applications (Mark ? :21, 22). In these teachings Jesus does not necessarily abolish or abrogate the ancient fourth | commandment, but rather the misin- depreciation, misuse and misapplica- tion of the Sabbath law. For a cor \ rect OI llle Olu 1eSld- ment Sabbath see Isa. 5S :l3, IA. The difference between the Jewish Sabbath and Christian Lords Day is a matter | of counting; we begin to count at the ! point of the resurrection of Jesus. The | Sabbath Day is a means to an end i; | it is not the end itself.
 | America's Great Heritage.
 | The man was really and organi- cally sick; he had a withered hand which all could see-no moral error" about it at all, and he was really heal ed The Lords Day is Americas great heritage. Are we going to throw it away? It is of economic value as well as a spiritual heritage. The observ- ance of day of rest has actually in-
 creased the amount of output in the munition factories of England. In this land of hustle and hustle the brain needs the rest the soul the feeding,
 and the body the relaxation which Sun
 day observance alone can furnish. The
 child life demands the religious in-
 struction of that day, and the adult no
 less than the child. Let us have "all
 of the church in the Sunday school