Christ and the Sabbath Law.
By Editor
The following is a portion of an address adopted as the sentiments of the M. E. Conference at Lancaster, Pa. It is just as good as though the members had not immediately afterward resolved to work more earnestly for the spread of Sunday observance. Their inconsistency does not destroy the truth of their statement:— The Sabbath law, as contained in the fourth commandment, was not repealed by Christ. While many suppose that his teachings were contrary to Moses, and while his enemies charged him with the sin of Sabbath-breaking, yet his own words were: "Think not that I am come to destroy the law and the prophets. I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill." To this emphatic "think not" of Christ we must appeal, in order to correct the erroneous thinking on the Sabbath question. The sayings of Christ in relation to the Sabbath must not be so interpreted as to "destroy" any part of that "law" which he came "not to destroy, but to fulfill." "It is right to do good on the Sabbath-day;" but it is not right to do all kinds of good on that day. There is a lesser good connected with the life that now is, which men may seek during the six days of the week; but every seventh day the secular activities must be interrupted by a season of holy rest, so that men may have time to seek the greater good which belongs to the soul and spirit. Furthermore, because it is right to do good on the Sabbath-day, it does not follow that it is right to publish newspapers, run railroad trains, and open drinking saloons, and places of amusement on that day. Because "the Sabbath was made for man," it does not follow that man is at liberty to disregard its requirements, and employ the day for selfish and secular purposes. The Sabbath was made for man, not that he should despise it, or desecrate it, but that he should "remember it to keep it holy." The Sabbath law was enacted "for man" by infinite love; and he should therefore regard it not as a grievous burden, but as a gracious benefit; not as a costly sacrifice enacted, but as a priceless gift bestowed; not as the mark of a humiliating bondage, but as the ennobling condition and indispensable safeguard of the highest freedom.