SUNDAY LITERATURE

Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Dec 1, 1881

SUNDAY LITERATURE.

THOSE who are acquainted with the methods by which the Sunday was foisted upon the Christian world, will not be surprised at any method which may be adopted to uphold it. "Pious frauds" were current with those who took up "the venerable day of the sun," the favorite day of paganism, and made of it the "chief festival of the church," and substituted it for the Sabbath of the Lord God. Great councils hurled their bitterest anathemas against those who persisted in the observance of the Sabbath of the Bible, in a day when anathemas were followed with imprisonment and stripes. Wonderful miracles were on record to attest the sacredness of Sunday. Prodigies related by priests were of more value than the words of Scripture. And in the absence of Scripture testimony, prodigies have to serve the purpose of Sunday even in this enlightened age. If our readers doubt this we have the proof at hand. We have received the following letter from Belgium:—

"Haarlem, Oct. 25, 1881. "DEAR BROTHER. In order to drive the people to Sunday-keeping, inclosed report is translated in Dutch and brought among the people here. Is it possible to examine whether the report is true? It says that the case happened in California; perhaps you may have occasion to ask after it. I thought I must send it to you. The Lord bless you. Yours in Christ, "G. VELTHUYSEN."

The article referred to is in German, but from what it was cut we have no means of determining. The following is a literal translation:—

"THE SABBATH-BREAKER.

"We read in the American Messenger the following story:—

"In a little inland town of California, charmingly situated on the shores of a lovely lake, lived a well-to-do man who asked no one regarding what he should or should not do. The day of the Lord he ignored entirely, and labored, or followed his pleasure, as best pleased him.

"For pleasure-sailing on the lake he began the construction of a little yacht. While the building of the boat was in progress, it was intimated that this would give occasion for Sunday amusements.

"The clergyman of the place visited the man, inquiring how all went with him, and sought to have him abandon his project; because thereby immoral and godless living was encouraged in the place. 'I fear,' said the minister, 'your boat will prove you a Sabbath-breaker.'

"The man regarded him and answered with decided strength: 'Yes, so it will; and this is now the name I will give to my yacht. I have thought for some time for a suitable name for it and now you have given it me—I thank you for your hint. The name of the little craft will now be, The Sabbath-Breaker.' Saying this he bade the clergyman good day, with a scornful laugh on his face at the painful impression given by this intelligence.

"The building went on, and especially was Sunday a busy day in the work. Soon the boat was so far ready as to launch. This took place on Sunday and the name Sabbath-Breaker was, amidst the rejoicings of from twenty to thirty half drunken men, confirmed. Several old sailors, who were near by and gave heed, as the boat touched the water, very thoughtfully shook their heads. It was now fully rigged and made ready for a pleasure ride. This must take place on Sunday. A common cargo was secured, and a great many crowded themselves on board.

"The flag fluttered lustily in the breeze, and distinctly on the same was to be read in large letters, The Sabbath Breaker. It sailed out from the land. Several, who were seized with violent terror, as they saw the name, sprang again on shore; others would have done the same also, but they were already too great a distance out. For a while the pleasure boat glided well enough over the polished surface of the lake.

"As time passed it brought new spirit—the music began to play and the good time began. After scarcely a couple of hours the wind arose, and a violent blow struck the boat. A wild confusion reigned now on board, and in the consternation which seized all, there was scarcely an attempt to make things ready. Within less than the twinkle of an eye the yacht was thrown on her side, and sank beneath the surface of the lake. Now a shriek of the terrified mounted upwards to Heaven! However, soon all was over. Forty young people found in the waves their grave, and directly over the same swam the flag with the writing: The Sabbath-Breaker."

On this we remark:—

1. If anything of the kind ever happened in this State, we ask that the facts may be furnished to us, and the place of its occurrence. If it is true, somebody knows of it. We wish to be informed concerning it. We shall refer to it again.

2. If there is truth in the account, we fail to see anything in it in favor of the observance of the Sunday. Such things have happened on other days, when reckless men, stupefied with liquor, rush into danger. According to the account, they were so inflamed with liquor that they made no effort to save the vessel from the effects of the coming storm. It would have been almost a miracle if they had been saved.

3. If there were any Bible precept for the keeping of Sunday, it would look like a providence against its desecration. But it would not then be decisive by any means, for we read that God "reserves the unjust unto the day of Judgment to be punished." 2 Peter 2:9. In the absence of Scripture evidence of any obligation to keep Sunday, we could not accept it as an example of the justice of God against evil-doing.

4. We remember a "providential interposition" which saved Sunday from desecration in an Eastern State. A lady became convinced on the authority of the commandment that it was her duty to keep the Sabbath. But the influence of early education was not entirely overcome by her conscientious convictions. While doing her washing on Sunday morning, she accidentally upset the tub of water on the floor, and she at once decided that it was wrong to wash on Sunday. And then another woman, her near neighbor, declared her own perplexity; for she upset her wash tub in the same manner when washing on Monday morning, "and now," said she, "what day shall I keep?"

5. We have only pity for those who are led by tales of wonders to accept as religious duty that which has no warrant of Scripture to sustain it. There is but one safe criterion by which to test all religious observances and religious teachings. It may be found in Isa. 8:20. "To the law and to the testimony; if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them."