IN HONOR OF THE RESURRECTION.
By Frank M. Burg
SINCE, as before shown, no scriptural reasons exist for commemorating the Saviour's resurrection by observing the first day of the week, now why not be satisfied with the observance of such ordinances as the Bible enjoins for this purpose? If any day should be observed to this end to commemorate his death and resurrection, why not observe the day of his death? If greater importance attaches to either day, it will be seen that the more important of the two is that on which the Saviour died and was buried. For when he had died and paid the debt of the transgressor, and thus vindicated the broken law, the grave could not possibly hold him,—his resurrection was then a thing inevitable (Acts 2:24), and all provision for man's redemption was virtually complete. But, to lay aside all human reasoning, we shall abide by what inspiration teaches us. The Bible-enjoined ordinance for the above noted purpose is that of baptism. It is not designed here to argue as to the mode of baptism; it is sufficient to say that the word is so plain concerning that point that to err, even, is inexcusable. What is intended is to note briefly the utility or significance of the ordinance. The prerequisites to going forward in this ordinance might be dwelt upon at much greater length than can be done in this paper. But let them all be summed up under "Submission of the Will," which implies much more than is generally apprehended. Commonly speaking, conversion is the prerequisite to baptism; but what is implied in one term is in the other. Conversion, or submission, implies a cheerful performance of whatever is known to be Bible-required duty. When a person has had that change wrought in him, when divine power has been applied, and he is "born again," there is a full surrender of his will, a recognition of God's claim upon it, and as a natural consequence of the work thus done, his life is henceforth a living out of God's will expressed in his word. There is no questioning as to the duty therein marked out, else the will is not submitted. At this point he is ready to be "buried" with Christ "by baptism into his death." He now sees the submission of the Son of God as he drank the bitter cup in Gethsemane, and so shortly was buried in Joseph's new tomb. So vividly does this scene present to him the exceeding sinfulness of his sins, which were an outgrowth of his own will,—to "do evil continually;" and so powerfully does this expression of immeasurable love appeal to his heaven-implanted sense of gratitude, that he surrenders fully, and is "buried with him by baptism into his death," and rises "to walk in newness of life." He now fully accepts the word of God as his expressed will; it is his delight to study it, and becomes more and more so as he sees new beauties in the manifested love of God. Thus by "beholding" he "becomes changed." As he thus comes nearer the divine Pattern, of whose character and will the Bible is a written expression, he sees more and more of his own personal defects, new duties are presented, some involving heavy crosses, and all a daily reconsecration. Should he reach a point where he should325neglect known duty, or cease to study to learn more fully his duty, he could know that his own will was assuming a right to rule; and a persistence in the course would ultimately invalidate his past experience and his hope for the future. Should he reach that point where he would see the Bible-enjoined duty to keep the Sabbath of the Lord, and did not at once yield a cheerful obedience, thankful for having the privilege of thus serving the Lord—Creator and Redeemer—he would thus manifest an unsurrendered will, which course, persisted in, would imperil his soul. That will alone is wholly submitted which accepts fully the Bible as the word of God, and not only cheerfully obeys all thus-far-known duties, but searches to know duty more fully, thankful on coming to a knowledge of any duty, notwithstanding the cross involved. Would that the many men who profess to be leaders of the flock of Israel, and who teach first-day observance, would cease to advance human reason as a basis for so doing, submit their wills to God, be converted, and teach God's will as taught in his word! Were this done, there would not be so much clamoring for a law to compel men to keep a day that has no foundation in Scripture.