Untitled article by Mrs. L. D. Avery-Stuttle

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Mountain View, California · Aug 16, 1905

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 31, No. 33.

EDUCATION IN THE HOME. NO. 14.

By Mrs. L. D. Avery-Stuttle

BY MRS. L. D. AVERY-STUTTLE.

"NOW to sum up;" began Brother Hartman: "We find a certain power which the prophet Daniel declares shall arise, which shall arrogate to itself wonderful power,—a power which shall 'speak great, swelling words against the Most High,' and even go so far in its blasphemous assumption as to tamper with His holy law,—for to do this is the most daring form of blasphemy. We then trace the history of the nations down the stream of time, and find that just such a power has arisen; the inspired description fits the case exactly. The law has been changed,—the Sabbath of Jehovah has been dragged from the honorable position accorded it by its divine Author, and a counterfeit Sabbath been forced into its place. Finding that the inspired description of the culprit exactly fits the apostate church of Rome, we have had the courage to lay the crime to her charge."

"Yes," responded Sister Hartman, "and she acknowledges the charge boldly and even boastingly."

"And so we are doubly certain that the crime lies at her door," declared Brother Hartman; "and the question remains for us each to decide, after having once been enlightened: Shall we heed and obey the lying words of the man of sin? or shall we yield obedience to Him who has said: 'If ye love Me, keep My commandments;' and, 'To obey is better than sacrifice'?"

"It may be that some one is wondering how the resurrection of Christ is commemorated, if not by making a Sabbath of the resurrection day," ventured Elsie.

"That's just exactly what I was wondering," said Walter Grey, fixing his dark, questioning eyes upon the speaker.

"And I, too," declared Mrs. Wilber.

"I wonder if John has any ideas that will help us out," suggested his father.

"I believe he has," declared Mattie, who had great respect for her brother's opinions; "John always has ideas."

"Well," said John, with a wise shake of his head, "it seems strange that the resurrection should be kept in memory by resting on any day,—seems inappropriate like."

"Yes," chimed in Walter Grey, "and it does seem too bad to forget all about the rest day that God ordained at creation—even if Sunday is a sacred day, seems as if the seventh day ought to have some honor yet."

"Well said, my lad," said Brother Hartman. "But let us see what the Word of God says about commemorating the death, burial, and resurrection of our divine Redeemer. We are not left without a memorial, I assure you, my children, and one which bears upon it the stamp of divinity. We first find that the death of our Lord is kept in mind by partaking of the bread and wine at communion."

"Have you scripture to prove this, Mr. Hartman?" inquired Mr. Jones.

"Certainly; Beth, will you read 1 Cor. 11:26—grandma will find the place for you."

" 'For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord's death till He come.' "

California Building at Lewis and Clark Exposition, Portland, Oregon.

"But I would like to read," said Mrs. Wilber, "of a divinely appointed memorial of the resurrection of Christ, if there is any such thing other than the observance of Sunday."

Sister Hartman hastily turned to the sixth chapter of Romans, and handed the book to Mattie who read the fourth and fifth verses slowly and thoughtfully, while Josie looked over her shoulder.

" 'Therefore we are buried with Him by baptism into death; that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of His death, we shall be also in the likeness of His resurrection.' "

"It seems plain to my mind," said Brother Hartman, "that this scripture teaches us that even as Christ died on the cross, we are also to die to sin; and as He was buried in Joseph's new tomb, we also should be buried beneath the watery grave in baptism (not by sprinkling, which is no burial), and that as Christ was raised from the dead, even so we are raised from the watery grave of baptism, that we may henceforth walk in newness of life, having thus publicly acknowledged our faith in a buried and risen Lord. This seems to me wonderfully appropriate and beautiful. How could it please the Lord to give us a day of rest to commemorate the most wonderful work in all the plan of redemption? Can a day of REST be an appropriate reminder of a day of most intense activity, both among the heavenly hosts and amid the church of Christ on earth?"

Capt. Meriwether Lewis, born 1774, died 1809.

"Well, wife," said Mr. Jones, "I, for one, must acknowledge that this appears to me exceedingly reasonable,—I never thought there was so much to the subject."

"I think there is another text in Col. 2:12," said grandma, "which seems to prove conclusively that instead of our being commanded to observe the resurrection day as a Sabbath, the ordinance of baptism was given to us, that we might, by properly observing this ceremony, prove before the world our faith in a risen Redeemer."

Elsie had turned to the text, before grandma had done speaking:—"Why, grandma, I never noticed that text before, really, father, it's a good one; I will read it:

" 'Buried with Him in baptism, wherein also ye

are risen with Him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised Him from the dead.' "

"I think I can see in this text," said Walter Grey, "a very close connection between baptism and the resurrection of Christ."

Mrs. Wilber said nothing; but Grandma Hartman believed she could see in her eyes the dawning of a new light.

(To be continued.)