What Do the Scriptures Say?
By Charles P. Whitford
The Scriptures say in regard to the Sabbath institution, that God rested from his work on the seventh day. They do not thus particularize in regard to the first day. He claimed the seventh day as his own; he did not so claim the first day, but gave it to man for labor. He blessed and sanctified the seventh day; he did not sanctify the first day. He commanded that the seventh day should be kept holy; he did not command to keep the first day. He has uttered fearful threatenings against those who profane the seventh day; he has not spoken aught against those who labor on the first day. He has given special and great promises to those who keep holy the seventh day; he has not uttered one word of promise or blessing for keeping the first day. Everything that is necessary to give importance to the day, or that is calculated to induce a proper observance of the day, is produced in favor of the seventh day; nothing of the kind can be produced in favor of the first day,—no institution—no sanctity—no command—no penalty. Friends, are you, or do you desire to be, “followers of God as dear children”? Are you believers of the word of God? Then you will surely, with me, consider as unavoidable the following conclusion: No obligation exists to observe, in any manner, as a rest day, or holy day, the first day of the week. But it has been shown that we are under obligation to observe the seventh day; and as the observance of the first day infringes upon the commandment of God, which enjoins the observance of the seventh day, and interferes with such observance, all who bow to the authority of the word of God must also admit this conclusion: It is wrong to keep the first day of the week, or to give it the honor, place, or title, of the Lord’s day, or “Sabbath of the Lord.”