A DISCUSSION by F. Kingsley

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 2, 1877

A DISCUSSION.

By F. Kingsley

On the 25th and 26th of June, a discussion was held near New Liberty, Kansas, between Eld. J. N. Ayers and a Disciple minister, one Eld. Griffith, formerly known as Judge Griffith. The two propositions discussed were in relation to the Sabbath and Sunday.

In Eld. Ayers’ first speech, he showed that the Sabbath was a memorial of creation; that it was sanctified (giving Webster’s definition of the word); and that it was to continue, with God’s law, through time, and to exist in the new earth.

In Eld. Griffith’s first reply, he said the Sabbath was not given until the falling of the manna, and was a memorial of the deliverance from Egypt, laying stress on the word “therefore.” Eld. A. afterward called his attention to several passages where this word was used, and showed that the Sabbath was commanded because it was moral and right, and not because of the deliverance from bondage. Eld. Griffith persisted in saying that Eld. A. claimed to be still under the “law of Moses, or the old Jewish ceremonial law,” as he was pleased to call the ceremonial law, notwithstanding he was twice, at least, told that he was misrepresenting. When he came to the New Testament, he had the law fulfilled and abolished; and when shown by other scriptures that he was making a wrong application of the word “fulfill,” he simply spoke of it, promising to “attend to that presently,” and did not mention it afterward. When called upon for his new law of Christ, he gave Matt. 28:18; 16:18; and Acts 2:38; and when pressed to notice the comparison of the two laws, he answered not a word. He had a cunning way of escaping from a point to which he could not reply by making some ridiculous comparison and causing a laugh. He would then proceed, in a very serious manner, with a vehement exhortation to his hearers to come to Christ for salvation.

The following are some of the questions which he did not answer: Give the text which shows that the ten commandments are in the ceremonial law. Where are we released from the obligation to obey them? and where are the nine, as a law, re-enacted? Eld. G. had said that those isolated principles, as he called the nine commandments, were transferred over into the new dispensation. Eld. A. told him that if he would show the nine re-enacted in the New Testament, then he would show the other one, the fourth. Eld. A. showed “Griffith against the Bible” in several instances. He said God did not sanctify the seventh day for man; and Eld. A. referred him to Mark 2:27.

He failed to prove what he affirmed, namely, that the first day was set apart by Divine authority or example. A large gathering to hear the debate showed a good interest. F. KINGSLEY.