p. 94 | NO LAW, NO SIN

Publishing Committee · Rochester, N. Y. · Sep 27, 1853

NO LAW, NO SIN.

In the great day of accounts, when I stand before the Judge of all the earth, if I am asked why I did not observe the first day of the week, in commemoration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ? this shall be my answer:—

O, Lord Almighty! thou didst give to thy children on earth a book containing certain requirements; and, as I thought, all thy requirements for man’s observance. Nay, the Book itself testified that, to fear God and keep his commandments, was the whole duty of man. That Book contained no commandment for the religious observance of the first day. I searched for the example of the apostles and primitive churches. I found, indeed, many examples of an apostle preaching on the Sabbath, and this was declared to be his custom. But only one instance was recorded, in the whole Book, of a congregation of Christians coming together for religious service on the first day. This was an evening meeting at Troas. It was not said this was a custom, but Paul’s being “ready to depart on the morrow,” naturally suggested to the mind that it was merely occasional. And as the evening of the day, according to the Book, came before the morning of the day, I verily thought that the Apostle started on his journey on the first day. My brethren called this day “Lord’s day,” but it was not so called in the Book; but Jesus did say that he was Lord of the Sabbath day. Now I confess I did not observe the first day; but “Where there is no law, there is no transgression.”

CONCLUSION.—Brethren, the union of Christians is an object for which we all pray. This object might be attained, if we would attend to the “essentials” of religion, and leave off contending for the “non-essentials.” The essentials are the things which are written in the Book, the non-essentials are those which are wisely left out. The observance of the first day, like infant sprinkling, is a non-essential, inasmuch as it is not mentioned in the Book. Neither you, nor I, will be condemned for not attending to it. But, possibly, I may be correct in regard to the Sabbath, and, therefore condemnable if I forsake it. Now, as nothing can tend more effectually to divide Christians, than a difference in regard to the day of worship, remove this stumbling block or cause of falling out of the way by appointing your weekly meetings on the Sabbath. You can lose nothing by the change; and it would be a great gain to a few brethren who believe that Jehovah’s law is like its Divine Author—unchangeable.