Christian herald., May 25, 1883, Page 6, Image 6

A
ê
OtlÎltsTÎAtf SEttALD
in this age so persistently apply­ ties and early Christians and the from the noted examples in the Israel may remember all this and
ing the name—Sabbath to the first facts associated therewith is the New Testament is found in the the God that sanctified them and
day of the week. There is just as foundation and the sole authority writings of that eminent man, behold through this Shodom the
much Scripture for calling Monday for Christians practice of worship Justyn Martyn. This man was rest that remains for his people.
or Friday Sabbath as for the Sab- on the first day of the week and born in Sychur, about the close of This was Sabbath in' Israel. It
T.atizmg-nSFTKr’TTrsrTTay df the "
Migurding iLft! the . .the, first century. - He was well ed- was peculiar to her covenant and
i ugu.
week.
Lord’s day. Acts 20 : 7, “ The dis­ ucated and trained extensively and“ law,"' Tier age
V. We next notice that the Sab­ ciples came together on the first no man at the time he wrote was But the Christian looks and listens
bath passed away with the old day of the week to break bread.” better informed on the practice of not to Sinai, nor to the law by
covenant. The new covenant does 2 Cor. 19 : 1-3. The church is di­ the church. We quote from Afolo- Moses, nor the covenant made unto
■STrot enjoin it There is no such rected relative the fellowship on the gy, 1 chap, G7, in his address to the fathers ; but rather to the new
— commamL Thexc. Js jno example first day of the week, Rom. 1 : 10 the Emperor Antonious Pius. He and living way—to the grace and
where it is kept by the require­ It is called the Lord’s dayf and^tTF ■Wp?: ^’ihrthe^uy-called Sunday, truth which comes with an ascend­
ments of the gospel. The Jewish Heb. 10 : 25, Christians are enjoin­ all Christians that live in towns or ing Lord and a descending Spirit.
Christian for a time kept it on the ed, “ not to neglect the assembling in the country meet together, and Not at Sinai, but at Jerusalem.
same ground by which they sought of themselves together,” etc. Legal- the memories of the apostles or the He beholds there the beginning,
““
ion rmd 4y-4Uw>.«tha^u>samhling is. thus en- Writings of the prophets are read the going forth of the word of the
other features of the law of Moses. joined. The time is found only in as time permits. When the“reader“ LôFdr
They ceased Sabbatical observance the examples. These are instigated has finished the person presiding week comes be arises and turns
ns they gave up Moses and their by the associated facts— (a) The instructs the assembly in an address from his business cares, not simply
resurrection of Jesus upon the first and exhorts them to imitate the to rest, to think of creation, or
fathers.
VI. The early converts to Chris­ day of the week, (b) He possibly excellent things which they have manna in the desert, or slavery in
tianity from the gentiles. ’ The ascended to heaven on the first day. heard. Then we all join in prayer Egypt ; but rather the life from the
apostles now commanded any one ■c) The'Spirit descended at Pente­ and after that celebrate the Sacra­ dead, the victory over the grave.
fio to do; nor did they even com­ cost on the first day and the word ment. Then they who are able and He comes from town or eounty to
mand or reprove any one for keep­ of the Lord brought forth ; converts willing give what they think the known place of the assembly on
ing or not keeping it. When Juda- were made, and the worship under proper.” He also says: “ They this stated day; and not there to
izing teachers sought to impose it the new-order of tilings began on assemble on that day, it being the idle away thé time but to engage in
store his
upon Gentile Christians they with- that day. Thé Converts were stead- day on which our triumphant active work
Savior
rose
from
the
dead.
”
mind with knowledge, to gather
atood it as they did all other Je wish 'ast in the apostles teaching, in
VIII.
This
gi
ves
us
a
beau
tiful
‘
ellowship,
in
breaking
of
broad
strength
of faith, hope and love for
customs.
1. Neander in his work entitled and prayer.” The example before picture of the manner of regarding him who rose on that day and
The planting and training of the noted evidently grew out of these the day. to the Lord. We should brought life- and immortality to
Christian Church, Vol. 1, page T82, associated facts. The practice of feel that to wilfully neglect the as­ light by the gospel, and hence the
aays: According to the doctrine of the early church on this day is sembly on the first day of the week entire character of the occasion, the
the apostle Paul, the Mosaic law in wholly distinct from and in no way is disobedience to apostolic injunc­ character-of the apostolic worship,
its whole extent has lost its value connected with the Sabliath. But tion. To neglect prayer, reading their doctrine, the fellowship, the
as such to Christians. " Nothing it is entirely a product of the new Scriptures and the fellowship we breaking of bread and proper praise
could be a rule binding on Chris­ covenent. Its origin, name, time come short of the examples given and joyful thinking carries the
s
tians on account of its being con­ and character is dissimilar so that for our instruction. And for the mind and conscience to Calvary’s
tained in the Mosaic law; but there is no authoritative reason whole assembly to meet on that rugged cross, to Joseph’s tomb, and
whatever was binding as law for why the first day of the week day and neglect the Sacrament, in from there the whole soul and affec­
Christian life must as such derive should be either named or observed that much they fail of the ancient tion is carried to Heaven’s throne ;
its authority from another quarter. as a Sabbath. For it rests on no manner of regarding the day unto and the will says, all honor, glory,
Hence a transference of the Old authority froip Sinai, but comes the Lord. It is hoped that this dominion and power be unto our
Testament command of the sanctity from a risen Lord, an open tomb, fact acknowledged by all critics risen Lord. Thus the contest be­
of the Sabl»th to the Christian and the descending Spirit and those will in the near future cause all tween the origin, nature, character
point of view was not admissible. inspired men who preached the Christian people to call this day by and consequence of the Christian
* ^Whoever considered himself subject gospel to every creature. They its only proper Scriptural appela- worship on the Lord’s day differs
to one such command in Paul’s have left us the sacred examples. tion and seek to keep it in accord­ from Israel’s keeping their Sabbath
judgment again placed himself un­ Their practice is recorded for our ance with the apostolic examples as widely as the “ New and living
guide to-day • and as such all rather than for any Sabbatic law way ” différa from the law given at
der the yoke of the whole law.”
2. Dr._Priestly’s history of the Christians will most gladly heed it. from Sinai. That law never en­ Sinai for a guide and teacher of the
corruption of Christianity, Vol. 2, Neander claims, “that the early joined op caljed the first day the fathers. Finally, we quote from
Ignatius, who was doubtless at one
page 131, declares that: ‘‘Such a Christians were unanimous in cal­ Sabbatfi.
notion as that Christians should ling the first day of the week the
iX7~F0T fifteen hundred years time pastor qf the church at old
observe the Jewish Sabbath in the Lord’s day in commemoration of the Jews hearing the law from Antioch, and a companion of the
apostles day was unheard of except his resurrection from the tomb on Sinai quietly settled in their places beloved apostle John.
James’
that
day.
After
the
example
of
the
among the Ebionites.” Chambers
on the seventh day; and also re­ church history says ; “ He was a
apostles
most
Christians
to
the
Encyc., Vol. 8, page 400, says: In
leased their beasts of burden, chil­ most exemplary man, and in all
present
time
call
and
observe
it
as
the Eastern churches where the
dren and servants from all work things like the Apostles." In his
proportion of Jews was greater the Lord’s day.” He also declares and sit down to rest. Why ? Be­ letter to the Megnicians, chap. 9,
than in the west the Sabbath that " they celebrated the Lord’s cause God so commanded in the Ignatius says: "Be not deceived
was observed till the fifth century, supper every Lord’s day, To this Jaw. Why did God select this day ? with hetrodox opinions, nor old un­
when we lose sight of the Ebionites, agrees Barnes, Clark, Wesley, and Because in it he haij rested from profitable follies, for if we still live
a sect of Judaizing teachers, such commentaries and histories gener his labors. Why are these servants according to Judaism we confess
ally. Perhaps the most accurate and animals to rost?
as Paul withstood.”
Because that we have not received grace.
VII. The Practice of the Early description of a proper observation Israel was once a. slave in Egypt. If then they have indeed cast off
£hurch.—T}\e example of the apoa of fbis day as to the Lord aside What object in ' all this ? That their old principles, and are come tQ