Our Contributors by R. F. Cottrell

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 14, 1882

Our Contributors.

By R. F. Cottrell

Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another; and the Lord hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon his name.

Will Worship.

BY ELD. R. F. COTTRELL.

THE LAW OF THE SABBATH: its Obligation on Christian Believers. By Rev. J. Litch. This pamphlet contains the argument of Dr. Litch in answer to Mr. Bourdeau, a Seventh-day Adventist, on this important question. It shows that the Sabbath mentioned in the law of Moses was strictly a Hebrew institution, and as such obligatory only on the adherents to that law; that believers in Christ are at liberty to keep the first day of the week as a day of rest and worship, under the law of the land in which they live; and that there is no injunction in the Scriptures for Christians, either Jewish or Gentile, regarding the time or the mode of its observance.—Messiah's Herald.

The above advertisement of a tract is a remarkable document. From the title, “The Law of the Sabbath,” we might infer that there was a law respecting the Sabbath, and from the expression, “Its Obligation on Christian Believers,” we might be supposed that Christians are under some kind of obligation in relation to its observance. But the notice which follows sweeps away this illusion.

The Herald, like some others, has the faculty of dignifying the ten commandments with the title, “The Law of Moses.” Notice the expression, “The Sabbath mentioned in the law of Moses.” Why not say, The Sabbath of the law spoken by the voice of God himself, written with his own finger in tables of stone, and mentioned throughout the whole Bible, by Christ and his apostles, as well as by the ancient prophets. This would have been telling the truth as it is. Who is so blind as not to see through such transparent sophistry?

But we are told that the tract shows that the Sabbath “was strictly a Hebrew institution.” In opposition to this, Jesus said, “The Sabbath was made for man.” And the evangelical prophet had said, “Also the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to the Lord, to serve him, and to love the name of the Lord, to be his servants, every one that keepeth the Sabbath from polluting it,” etc. This testimony shows that all the Gentiles who turn to the Lord, to serve him, should keep his Sabbath and no longer pollute it.

But the Herald says the tract shows that the Sabbath “is obligatory only on the adherents to that law.” The law with which God connected the Sabbath is the law of ten commandments. Consequently the argument is this: You are under no obligation to keep the Sabbath, unless you adhere to the other nine commandments; but if you choose to keep the other nine, you are at liberty (to say the least) to keep the Sabbath. This makes the obligation of the law of God depend upon whether we choose to adhere to it. In accordance with this, he teaches that “believers in Christ are at liberty to keep the first day of the week as a day of rest and worship, under the law of the land in which they live.” Yes, at liberty to keep the first day. What follows is very true of the first day, namely, “That there is no injunction in the Scriptures for Christians, either Jewish or Gentile, regarding the time or the mode of its observance.” The law of God is not of such a character. The fourth commandment is very explicit in regard to both the time and mode of the observance of the Sabbath.

The sequel of the tract, as advertised, seems to be that “the law of the Sabbath” is no law, and that “its obligation” does not exist; unless, indeed, there be those who choose to adhere to it. But, still, I would recommend adherence to the law of God. This will be much wiser than to try to overthrow it. The law of the land is to be obeyed, so far as it does not conflict with the law of God.