Editorial by Editor

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Dec 5, 1892

Editorial.

By Editor

"All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable."—2 Tim. 3:16.

THERE are works which will justify the sinner, and only those works will justify, but these works are not his own. They are the works wrought into the character of our Lord Jesus Christ. We may make his works, God's righteousness in him, ours by living faith. Faith lays hold of his righteousness and says, It is mine. Jesus says to the sinner: "The righteousness is thine; accept it. I came to earth, was made sin for you, that you might be made the righteousness of God in me." Why will not all accept of this righteousness?

THE New York Observer, in its issue of November 3, says, "The complaint of the misuse and abuse of texts is a just one;" and in the column article which follows the above words, is much good said concerning the use and worth of the word of God. But, say, reader, do you know of any worse misuse of texts than the application of all those passages of Scripture to the first day of the week which refer to the seventh-day Sabbath and it alone? Think of it. What right has anyone to apply the fourth commandment to the first day of the week? There is no sabbath law, injunction, or reference which applies to the first day.

SAYS the Rev. J. H. Hughes, Christian minister of San Jose, in the Truth of May 12, 1892:—

It is not "sound Bible form" to say "Sabbath day for Sunday." The day is called the "first day of the week," and, probably, "the Lord's day" once. It is never called the Sabbath, nor is it in any sense a sabbath, for it is neither the seventh day nor a day of rest. It is confusing to "so call it."

And just so it is confusing. He qualifies the Lord's day with a mild "perhaps," evidently himself a little confused. The expression occurs in Rev. 1:10. Compare that text with Ex. 20:8-11; Isa. 58:13, and Mark 2:27, and then say which day is the Lord's day. If Bible truth and "Bible form" were followed, Sunday would be called neither Sabbath nor Lord's day, for it is neither. Yes, it is; it is the "American sabbath," the "Puritan sabbath," etc., etc., but it is not the Lord's Sabbath. "Let God be true and every man a liar."