Throwing the Bible Aside.
By Ellet Joseph Waggoner
A LITTLE over a year ago (Jan. 8, 1885) the Christian at Work used the following language:— "The selection of Sunday, thus changing the particular day designated in the fourth commandment, was brought about by the gradual concurrence of the early Christian church, and on this basis, and none other, does the Christian Sabbath, the first day of the week, rightly rest." This is not very definite; for the "early Christian church" covers quite a space of time, including the time of Christ and the apostles; and people might be led to think that the Christian at Work claimed apostolic authority for Sunday observance. But that is not the case, as the following from the same paper, Feb. 18, 1886, shows:— "We hear less than we used to about the apostolic origin of the present Sunday observance, and for the reason that while the Sabbath and Sabbath rest are woven into the warp and woof of Scripture, it is now seen, as it is admitted, that we must go to later than apostolic time for the establishment of Sunday observance." Very true; and we knew it before the Christian at Work said it; for we have read the Bible. But here is a point for consideration. "The Sabbath and Sabbath rest are woven into the warp and woof of Scripture," we are told. Now what day is it that is thus identified in the Scriptures as the Sabbath? It is the seventh day, and no other. This the Christian at Work admits when it says that "the church" has taken the liberty of discarding the day designated in the fourth commandment, and that this was done this side the time of the apostles. We would ask, then, how it is possible to reconcile Sunday observance with reverence for the Bible. If a man takes the Bible, and that alone, as his guide, he must keep the seventh day of the week; and (according to the above quotations with which we agree), if he accept Sunday he must go directly against the Bible. It ought not to take any candid person long to decide what to do in this matter, for it is evident that "their rock is not as our rock, even our enemies themselves being judges." And, besides, one who was foremost among the apostles has said: "But though we, or an angel from Heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed." E. J. W.