THE SABBATH "SAYING OF JESUS."
INTEREST increases in the "Sayings of Jesus," lately found in Egypt, and not least in the second Logion, which makes the bold declaration, "Except ye keep ["Sabbatize"] the Sabbath ye shall not see the Father." Prof. Adolph Harnack has written concerning it, and naturally his words are eagerly sought. Speaking of what he says, The Independent, September 2, writes:— With regard to the general treatment of the subject, Harnack agrees closely with the Oxford editors, whose judgment he confirms in a number of points. In particular he shows conclusively that the Fast and Sabbath of the second Logion are the true Fast and the new Sabbath of the early Christian preaching. With this view we heartily accord. The New Sabbath which Christ kept, and about which he taught so much by precept and example, was what men are now pleased to call the "Jewish Sabbath," clarified from national and formalistic errors, until, as God's representative in time, it was literally the means of bringing men to "see the Father." The corresponding thought is in the "Beatitude," "The pure in heart shall see God." It was not an abrogated nor a changed Sabbath, but a fulfilled and uplifted Sabbath, which thus became as a mirror in which men saw God. The "New Sabbath" which the Independent seems to5have in mind, i. e., Sunday, found its place in the church from the last half of the second century forward. It was the creation of paganizing influences, and the primal germ of the non-spiritual and non-religious "Continental Sunday." The New Christian Sabbath of Christ and the New Testament period is the Sabbath for which we plead.