Year: 1868

A contributor to the Israeltte, pub
lished at Cincinnati, begins his com
munication as follows:


sin order, then, that we may have +,
day of rest, a real Sabbath, which can
be observed by all Israel, we propose tc
adopt that day which is set apart by
hundreds of millions, nay, the whole
civilized world, for physical rest and the
worship of God. Let our prayers and
thanksgiving with theirs ascend to His
throne on the same day, the Sunday"


The writer who makes this PROPOSE.
ton, so repugnant to the ears of peo-
pie for many centuries jealous of the
slightest variation from the established
customs, declares that he has been
selected as the spokesman of a party,
respectable in number respectable in
intellect, fully persuaded of the correct
ness of sheir views, and fully determined
to discuss the subject in all its bearings"
The selection is manifestly fortunate
one, for the temper of the article and its
logic are remarkable for candor, clear
ness and moderation.


The old Hebrew word "Shabbas, -
which lies at the bottom of this con-
troyersy, is declared to mean simply
rest. Cease from labor and devote to
the servises of God-this is the literal
and spiritual meaning of the word
Shabbas or Sabbath. 4 How does
the fourth commandment read Does it
say on this or that particular day, speci-
flying it by name, Saturday, thou shalt
rest, and it shall be your Sabbath hence
forward and forevermore ? No. Such
are the commands of man, but not of
the Almighty"


The selection of Saturday by Moses
is explained as being most suitable and
convenient for the Hebrews at that era.
The institution, it is presumed, answered
all purposes throughout the past, until
within the last half-eentury when it be-
came obsolete. During this period they
have been virtually without any Sabbath
or day of rest. Those who most bitterly
oppose the proposed reformation are
scarcely observing even the day which
they recognize as Sabbath. The result
is that they are becoming lax, and so
fast tending to utter irreligion, apOstacy,
and the total destruction of the Jewish
faith. Even now their offspring display
perfect indifference to religion. The
question is accordingly asked:


"Do you not perceive the influence of
nineteen centuries on the obseryances
and forms of our religion? And can. all
the past, present and future exert no
influence upon you? You can not stand
still and be passive even if you desire
to be so. The irresistible movement of
progress, the law of nature and natures
God, will propel you on to that inevitable
necessity which we so earnestly beseeeh
you to adopt. Any day We set apart as
day of rest, to worship God in spirit
and in truth, is acceptable to him. We
select Sunday, because in the fear of
God, with reverence for his great name,
and an eye to his glory, 1t is more con-
venient, observed as it is by millions,
because it can be hallowed, while ours,
as at present arranged, is an utter i'm
possibility"


Having further argued this matter,
the writer attacks with vigor the intoler-
ant and prosecuting temper which has
been displayed by his fellow -religionists.
1t created the Christian Church. Jesus
was Jew, great man, second Moses,
who desired to purify the faith and cor
rect the vices of their church and
people, nothing more or less. "But as a
prophet is never appreciated in his own
country, he was crucifed and made a
martyr Of and his disciples made him a
God The blood of the martyrs is the
seed of the church We sowed the
wind and we reaped the whirlwind Our
vices, follies, irreligion and cruelty
created that church which has been our
scourge and oppressor through count
less ages.


1t is proposed to call a grand re-
ligi council, who can settle this Sab
bat lsquestion definitely either adopt
ing Sunday for all or dividing those
wishing Sunday and those retaining
Saturday as the Sabbath.


These views will naturally create ex-
citement, and probably lead to no imme-
diate results but they indicate the dis
semination of a spirit of inquiry which
must eventually break down the wall Of
partition between the Israelites and
other religionists.


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"A French writer suggests the fol
Iouino nrobIems as worthy of a practi.