Authority and the Sabbath
By H. A. St. JOHN
AUTHORITY is either human or divine. Those truths that have the impress and sanction of Heaven are divine. All Christendom are agreed in recognizing the Bible as divine authority. Every Christian duty obligatory upon us must in some way rest upon a divine command. No part of the Bible is entitled to greater respect as being divinely given, than the ten commandments, uttered by God himself, in the hearing of his people, and written with his own finger on the durable rock. Standing forth in this sacred document, is the commandment for the observance of the Sabbath. For the keeping of the seventh day as the Sabbath of the Lord, there is, therefore, the very best and highest divine authority. In vain we appeal to Sunday-keepers for a divine command authorizing their practice. None such can be found in the sacred word. It is generally confessed that there is no such command. Therefore, the conclusion cannot be evaded, that for making a Sabbath of the first day of the week there is naught but human authority. This being so plainly evident, how long need any one be in deciding what is duty? It is not necessary for the Protestant to wait, before settling this important question of duty, until he has read ecclesiastical history, or the testimony of uninspired men. It is enough for him to know that God has never required the one, but has plainly commanded the other. What does God want me to do? is the all important question; and this should be answered by an appeal to his revealed will. Then with a heart filled with an earnest desire to do the will of God, we should say, Lord, here am I, to do thy bidding. Such are willing and obedient servants, and, ere long, will hear the voice of the divine Teacher, saying, Well done, enter into the joy of thy Lord. Reader, which has the greater weight with you, divine or human authority? Are you squaring your life by the precepts of Jehovah? or by the sayings and doings of men? H. A. St. JOHN.