“WHAT DIFFERENCE DOES IT MAKE?”
By A. Smith
“QUESTION. The fourth commandment requires the sanctification of the seventh-day as the Sabbath, it is true; but, as all days of the week are members of a common family, what difference does it make which we keep if it only be one of the seven?” ANSWER. Perhaps it makes no difference; let’s see: the fifth commandment requires us to honor our father and our mother; but, as they have brothers and sisters, members of the same family, what difference does it make as to which we honor if it only be one of the family, an uncle or aunt for instance? We think one of the foregoing arguments is about as good as the other, the advantage, if there be any, appearing in favor of the one based on the fifth commandment; for, whereas, the fourth commandment, evidently foreseeing the willing ignorance that would prevail, definitely points out the particular day of the week to be so observed, the fifth commandment seems to take it for granted that every child knows who its own parents are.