p. 133 | Tradition by Jos. Clarke

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 8, 1873

Tradition.

By Jos. Clarke

It is often urged by some that the Puritans of New England kept the first day of the week as the Sabbath, and it is therefore inferred that the custom of Sunday-keeping is right.

It must be admitted, and is a matter of joy to us, that the Puritans were good men, and are entitled as such to our love and esteem. They did much to foster and build up good principles and institutions; but that they were perfect men is not so clear. They were out of the way in their opposition to the principles upheld by Roger Williams, and in their persecution of that good man; also in their policy toward the witches (as they were pleased to call them) of ancient time. Their religion was cramped by the ignorance and bigotry of the age in which they lived; and their devotion to the Sunday was the fruit of bigotry and ignorance, although the motive was good.

We must rather look at what the Bible says, and what it requires, than at what custom and tradition say and require; for it happens that the word of God sometimes clashes with time-honored customs and traditions.

As to those who, in the ages past, adhered to customs not scriptural, we leave them with their Judge. A clear and brilliant light now illuminates the pages of inspiration, and for this reason we are responsible to God for a higher life, and more correct theory of the truth.

A Christian must be a growing character. Luther, in his youth, entered the cloister; in his riper years, he left his cell and purchased a home of his own. A Christian should outgrow his errors, and not allow them to become his ruin. JOS. CLARKE.