2
—
of the type setter. He knows that
his proof is to pass through the
hands of the proof reader whose
business it is to look after and cor
rect the errors. He knows further
that his reputation and success in
his business depends on his accuracy
and his ability to set a clean proof.
Hence he makes his best effort to
uppaar Wnre t.ha proof reader ill
his desired light. So should it be
with all Christions. Knowing their
lives are to be read of all men, they
should make the stronger effort to
'manifest forth the graces of the
true child of God.______ ______
e 2.
> Because infallible tests. The
Savior teaches that the tree is to be
known by the fruit it bears. A
written commendation is not al
ways a safe tes£7 “Hut the life of
the living epistle will always tell
the true story.
3. Because of their power to
convince and convert the world.
Living epistles are God’s only hope
of saving the world. If they are
what they
be, they will
* should
,«M
exert a wonderful power in saving
the poople. Let us labor to that
end.
—
-----------------
WHY NOT KEEP THE SAB
BATH ?
Because we are not under Moses,
but under Christ. The apostle John
says, “ The law was given by Moses,
but grace and truth come by Jesus
Christ.” The Sabbath was a part
of the law of Moses given on Sinai
and is hence set down as one of the
commandments of the decalogue for
the observance of the Jewish na
tion. But Paul says, “ Wherefore
the law was our schoolmaster to
bring us unto Christ, that we might
be justified by faith. But after
that faith is come, we are no longer
under the schoolmaster.” Gal.
3 : 24-25. Hence the whole law of
Moses, including the Jewish Sab
bath, was taken out of the way in
the coming of Christ, being nailed
to the cross in his death. This is
evident from the following passage:
* Blotting out the handwriting of
ordinances that was against us,
which was contrary to us, and took
it out of the way, nailing it to his
cross; and having spoiled princi
palities and powers, he made a show
of them openly, triumphing over
them in it. Let no man therefore
judge you m meat, or in drink, or
in respect of a holy day, or of the
new moon, or of the Sabbath days,
which are a shadow of things to
come; but the body is of Christ.”
Col. 2 :14-17. This passage covers
ottrtstiak
herald .
all the typical and ceremonial in-, were thus qualified for their work,
stitutions of both the Patriarchal and the Church of Christ on earth
and Jewish ages, and shows conclu began. Acts 2 : 4. Was all this
sively that the Sabbath among without some special pui-pose? Why
other things, being a mere shadow then on the first.day of the week,
of that which was to come, was if not to set apart and celebrate
done away in the death of Christ. that day ? -
This is the day on which the
Hence we are no longer under the
old schoolmaster, a part of which primitive churches met together for
was the Sabbath, but under Christ. the purpose of attending to the
So then we are to do nothing ex Lord's supper and engaging Tfrutlll‘r
cept what is reinacted and thus au acts of worship. This is evident
thorized by Christ under the gospel from the following passages: (1)
dispensation.
In reference to the church at Troas,
Now if we wish to know which Luke says: “And upon the first day
day of the week to observe as a day of the week, when the disciples
in; which to meeFand wdfifiip God
as his children, all we have to do is preached into them, ready to de
to appeal to the law of Christ, the part on the morrow.” Acts 20 : 7.
New Testament, and there see what From this passage it is plain that it
lie JiaS 'authorizcd in
-teaching- -was the custom of -t h e- Tro as chu rch
and practice of the inspired apostles to assemble on the first day of
and the primitive churches. By every week, to celebrate both the
going to the New Testament we death and the resurrection of the
learn that Christ did not come to Lord Jesus. (2) From Paul’s in
destroy the old law, but to fulfill struction to the churches of Galatia
it. Hence we find Christ and his and Corinth. In 1 Cor. 16 : 1-2, he
apostles observing the law till after says: “ Now concerning the collec
his death. But when he was raised tion for the saints, as I have given
from the dead on the first day of order to the churches of Galatia,
the week and glorified ; after the even so de yo upon the first day of
Holy Spirit come downfrom heaven, the week let every one of you lay
the Church was established and the by him in store, as God hath pros
apostles went out preaching under pered him, that there be no gather
the last commission, we hear noth ings when I come.” It is evident
ing mere of the Sabbath as a day that the first day of every week was
of rest for the people of God either the accustomed time for the stated
among the Jews or Gentiles. But meetings of all these churches, and
instead of the Sabbath which was hence the instructions concerning
abolished, we find the first day of the collections. But why did all
the week being observed as the day these churchy meet regularly on
in which to sejve and worship God. this day if not to set it apart as a
This is very evident from the fol day of worship and to thus cele
lowing considerations :
brate the Lord’s death and resur
1. This is the day on which Christ rection ? (3) The Christian Fathers
rose from the dead. This of itself and other ecclesiastical writers
is sufficient to lead every Christian testify to the same facts. Barnabas,
to sanctify and consecrate it to the the companion of Paul, who wrote
service of the Lord. What event in about 72 years after the birth of
the history of the world is of more Christ, says : “The eighth day is
interest to Christians and is hence the beginning of another world;
more worthy to be commemorated and therefore with joy we celebrate
in this way than the resurrection of the eighth day, on which Jesus rose
our Lord and his triumph over from the dead.” About A. D. 150
Justin Martyr says: “On the Lord’s
Satan ?
2. On this day Christ met at day all ChriBtians in the city or
least twice with his disciples be country meet together, because that
tween his resurrection and ascension is the day of our Lord’s resurrec
under circumstances which clearly tion; and then we read the Apostles
indicate that he intended by his and Prophets. This being done,
personal exathple to honor and tht president makes an oration to
sanctify the first day of the week. the assembly to exhort them to im
See John 20 : 19-29. Why were itate and to practice the things
the disciples assembled on two suc which they have heard, and then
cessive first days and why did the we all join in prayer, and after that
risen Lord meet with them on this we celebrate the Lord’s Supper;
then they who are able and willing
day and bless them ?
3. On this day the Holy Spirit give what they think proper and
came from Heaven, the apostles, what is collected is laid up in the
------ ===........... _......................
;■
J
hands of the president who distrib
utes it to the orphans and widows,
and other necessitous Christians as
their wants require.” We might
alsoquote Pliny, Ignatious, Clement,
Tertullian, Origen, Atenesious,
Jerome, Masheim, and many other
church historians to the same effect;
but this is sufficient to convince
any honest thinking mind that the
day to observe, and the day actually
set apart by Christ and practiced
by the apostles and primitive
churches; instead of the Jewish Sab
bath which wfw done away in
C!hri«L Hence, we as Christians,
should follow the example of Christ
and the inspired men of God rather
than Moses.
THE LINN COUNTY MEET~-
ING.
According to announcement the
Linn County Cooperation con
vened in the court house in Albany,
on Wednesday, the 16th inst., and
continued in session till the follow
ing Friday evening.
As the
minutes will be printed next week,
it is our present purpose to say
only a few words. Four of the six
churches in the county were rep
resented by delegation, namely;
Scio, Central, Oak Creek and Al
bany. A number of sisters and
brethren from these churches were
in regular attendance. The preach
ing brethren generally who were
on the programme did not respond,
as will appejfr from the minutes.
But in spite of their absence, we
were determined to have a good
meeting. And so we did. Our
audiences were reasonably good
both day and evening, and what
business we had was dispatched
with promptness and dignity.- Bro.
T. Goodman is a good num for a
chairman. We were highly pleased
with this brother. While he does
not profess to be a preacher, yet he
does most of the preaching for the
Mt. Pleasant church, and we are in
formed that they have a live
church. Those brethren should be
proud of Bro. Goodman. As Bro.
Goodman went home on Friday
morning, Bro. Dr. Cole, of Albany,
very acceptably filled the chair the
remainder of the meeting. The
session was very' interesting and
harmonious throughout. The sis
ters and brethren met together
from day to day in love and were
edified.
The churches of Linn county are
gradually working themselves into
the missionary harness. They are
L