Sabbath Observance by Editor

Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Jun 2, 1881

Sabbath Observance

By Editor

At a recent session in York, Pa., of the Presbytery of Westminster, a paper pertaining to "Sabbath Observance" was ably discussed, and afterward adopted. The paper ran as follows:—

"We believe that the divine law concerning the Sabbath, is, in its nature, moral and of a perpetual obligation. Though relieved by our Saviour from excessive and burdensome constructions which had been put upon it by Pharisaical traditions, we do not believe that it was his purpose, in any measure, to abrogate or weaken it in its true meaning and design. On the contrary, he fully endorsed and confirmed it in those memorable words, 'I am not come to destroy the law, but to fulfill.' Also, when he asserted its universal application, 'The Sabbath was made for man,' and again, in the whole example of his life, and in the acts of his inspired apostles."

Then follow four lengthy resolutions, earnestly appealing to the people to regard the authority of Jehovah, and to discountenance all Sunday travel, the running of railway trains, visiting the post-office, and publishing and selling newspapers, on that day. The query at once arises, How can the command of Jehovah referred to, which says that the "seventh day" of the week is the Sabbath, be made to apply to the first day of the week, or Sunday? How do our good Presbyterian friends explain this? We are anxious to learn.