Year: 1872

What Constitutes "A Proper Obseryanc,


of the Sabbath.


Discussion before the Addison Conference, II
New Haven, June llth, 1872.


BY LYMAN E. KNAPP.


Published by Requcst.l


The value of this discussion, appre.
hend, if 1t has any value, will be its tend
ency to settle the minds of Christian
INTO some intelligent and consistent and
definite thought upon the subject, rather
than the presentation of new truth. The
unde6ned-half believed and half doubt
ed-theories of many Of our best Christian
people, upon the subject Of the proper OBJ.
servance Of the Sabbath, lead too often, to
serious violations of conscience and the
consequent lowering OF the moral tone.
This uncertainty of position does more
towards neutralizing the elevating influ.
ences of the Sabbath than we have been
accustomed to suppose. We cannot per-
form duty with alacrity, if we doubt its
propriety or its value. We shall not
shun an evil course with earnestness, il
we have come to reason about it, and
question whether it is really evil after all.
This questioning and doubling is the av-
enue through which Satan comes to us
most effectually, Ito carry us away cap
tive at his will


Then the first duty of the Christian is
to zoe fully persuaded in his own mind, +"
with regard to any and every course of
action he is about to pursue. 1t is not dill.
hcult, generally, to determine, in our own
minds, caat is right, if we approach the
matter prayerfully and submissively, and
give it due consideration. But as peo.
pie, we are not distinguished for thinking
We avoid thought. We take our theo.
ries ready made-doubtingy oftentimes,
to be sure--but without exercising the
energy necessary to become fully persu-
AIDED in our own minds"


In the different ages of the church the
Sabbath question has excited consdera.
bic attention, and some difference Of opin-
ion has existed. But perhaps there has
been less difference in theory, than in
practice. Some change has come over
own church, as to its theories upon what
constitutes proper observance Of the
Sabbath, since the landing of the Pilgrims
upon Plymouth Rock Still greater
changes have occurred in the actual prac-
tice Of its members in the same time. That
there is now wide variance between our
theories and our practice must be admit
ted and deplored 1t might be of prac-
tical value, if we had time, to inquire
which is taking the lead. Does the change
OF practice result from change Of theory,
or rice rerSa? The answer would, per-
haps, indicate to us whether we should
call the changes which have occurred pro-
gression or retrogression.


But the form we choose Of commenc.
ing this investigation, is, first, to seek for
the spirit and purpose Of the Sabbatic in-
stitution; and, secondly, to inquire what
course of specific action best answers to
Gods purposes in its appointment


We find the record Of the establishment
of day of rest--one day in seventh
the first pages of the first written history
given to the world. AS then esta blished
it was Of divine appointment and made
obligatory upon all Of Gods reasoning
creatures. A prominent idea Of the in-
sti;ution was that Of physical rest, bodily
inactivity. There was no interdct upon
mental activity. except what might be
inferred from the spirit Of Gods com.
mands to men. Like all Of Gods com.
mands its primary significance had rea.
ton to this world. Like them all, it had
a capability OF spiritualization, to con-
form to the progressive capabilities Of the
human race for whom it was instituted.
And as the human race progressed from
the purely physical era OF its infancy to.
ward the intellectual and moral, we see
the Sabbatic institution undergoing sim.
liar transformation The idea of purely
physical inactivity as the Sabbatic rest,
gradually gave place to more enlightened
views OF Gods ultimate design in its ap-
pointment


1t cannot be claimed that We have yet
arrived at the inlDess of the Divine idea,
any more than it can be successfully
maintained that the human race has ar
rived at its destined elevation and devel-
opment. And, certainly it is to be feared
that We have got but little way from
the physical era, as a race, now. The one
is overlapping tho other. Intellect does
indeed command II respect aud admira.
tion which physical strength and mere
animal courage cannot inspire. We have
come to recognize, if not to act upon, the
theory that moral qualities are superior
to the purely intellectual. If We did not
remember that God is not limited as to
time, we might fear lest the end of the
world would come and our race be but
half developed But with an eternity be-
fore him We may suppose God will take
his time for the development of his plans,
and it only concerns our present discus
sion that he will carry along all of his in
stitutions-the Sabbath with the rest
just to suit the needs of his creatures, and
in accordance with his own wise plans.


We may infer that proper observance
Of the Sabbath, under the patriarchal
system of the antedeluvian ages, was only
abstinence from physical labor Under
tho Mosaic dispensation, but little more
was required But in the fullness Of time
God revealed himself to men in the God.
man, Christ Jesus our Lord, and the
spiritual nature of his kingdom was re-
voaled through him. BY this new revel-
alton, only that part of the law Of Moses
was superseded which was ceremonial
its end accomplished. The moral law
was not destroyed or superseded, bat
spiritualized. Still retaining its primary
significance, it now had higher meaning
which overshadowed. in importance. the
material view ofits original Interpretation


AS if to break the power Of the super
stitous regard for the old,uarrow, literal
view of the Sabbath, the day to be OBJ.
served was changed from our Saturday to