Untitled article

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · September 17, 1867

THE SEVENTH AND FIRST DAY.—The Journal and Messenger presents an original view of the reason of the change from the seventh to the first day of the week as the Sabbath. It is certainly novel, if not convincing. As nothing is said about a patent-right or copy-right of this theory, we print it.—Sabbath Recorder.

“We believe that all time is estimated by its relation to the work of redemption. This world was made by Jesus and for Jesus, as the theater of human redemption. Hence when Jesus lay dead full twenty-four hours in the grave of Joseph of Arimathea, that day was dropped from God’s record of time; the clock of the world stood still while its Creator lay in the icy embrace of death. When Jesus arose, on the first day of the week, time began again. Hence, if our theory of the case be a true one, there was no necessity for legislation. The old law was still in its inherent force; but if that Saturday in which the world’s Maker lay dead, dropped out of time, then that Sunday morning on which he rose was the true successor of the old Sabbath day. There was no need of a new command. ‘Six days shalt thou labor, and the succeeding day shalt thou hallow unto the Lord,’ is all that is needed; only now it acquires a new value and splendor as the anniversary of the resurrection of the Lord of time.”

These are days of inventions! Where is the next genius who has some device to propose by which the claims of the true Sabbath can be avoided and those of the counterfeit sustained? Let him step right forward. He need have no fears. His scheme however chimerical will find plenty of advocates; for Sunday-keeping is beginning to labor under a terrible pressure.