Anything to Uphold Sunday.
By Editor
THOSE who have read the "History of the Sabbath," by Eld. J. N. Andrews, will remember the so-called miracles that were performed in the thirteenth century to prove the sacredness of Sunday. They may not be aware, however, that even at this day the same tricks are resorted to, but such is the case. The following letter was sent to us by a friend in the East, who informs us that he found it printed both in English and German, and quite extensively circulated, even at the present time, in Central Pennsylvania. It is nicely printed in colors, illustrated, with the "All-seeing Eye" prominent in the heading:— "A LETTER WRITTEN BY GOD HIMSELF, AND LEFT DOWN AT MAGDEBURG. It was written in golden letters, and sent by God through an angel; to him, who will copy it, it shall be given; who despiseth it, from him will part THE LORD. "Whoever works on Sunday is cursed. Therefore, I command you that you do not work on Sunday, but devotedly go to church; but do not adorn your faces; you shall not wear strange hair, and not carry on arrogance; you shall give to the poor of your riches; give plenty and believe, that this letter is written by my own hand and sent out by Christ himself, and that you will not act like the dumb beast; you have six days in the week, during which you shall carry on your labors; but the seventh day (namely, Sunday,) you shall keep holy; if you do not that, I will send war, famine, pests, and death among you, and punish you with many troubles. Also, I command you, every one, whoever he may be, young or old, small and great, that you do not work late on Saturday, but you shall regret your sins, that they may be forgiven you. Do not desire silver and gold; do not carry on sensualities and desires: do think that I have made you and can destroy you. "Do not rejoice when your neighbor is poor, feel more over sorry with him, then you will fare well. "You, children, honor father and mother, then you will fare well on earth. Who that doth not believe these and hold it, shall be damned and lost. I, Jesus, have written this myself with my own hand; he that opposes it and scandalizes, that man shall have to expect no help from me; whoever hath the letter and does not make it known, he is cursed by the Christian church, and if your sins are as large as they may be, they shall, you have heartily regretted and repented of them, be forgiven you. "Who does not believe this, he shall die and be punished in hell, and I myself will on the last day inquire after your sins, when you will have to answer me. "And that man who carries this letter with him, and keeps it in his house, no thunder will do him any harm, and he will be safe from fire and water; and he that publishes it to mankind, will receive his reward and a joyful departure from this world. "Do keep my commandments which I have sent you through my angel. I, the true God from the heavenly throne, the Son of God and Mary. Amen. "This has occurred at Magdeburg, in the year 1783.'" We remember a case where a certain minister stated to his congregation that he could find a command to keep Sunday in the Bible. To make good his assertion, he himself wrote the commandment and placed it in his Bible, and on the following Sunday read it to the people. This was satisfactory to his flock, because they desired to have it so, and were not curious to know where the longed-for passage might be found. There are many people, however, who will wonder how such methods are resorted to, if the Sunday institution has any valid foundation.