Christ and the Sabbath by S. Peckham

Publishing Committee · Rochester, N. Y. · Jun 10, 1852

Christ and the Sabbath

By S. Peckham

From Sister Peckham.

DEAR BRO. WHITE: I have been forcibly struck of late in witnessing the confidence some seem to have of entering the kingdom, while living in the violation of the fourth commandment.

I called upon a sick woman a few days since, who has been afflicted with swellings in the head, extremely painful, so that for seven weeks past she said she had realized but one night's natural sleep; and spoke of the wonderful manner in which God had sustained her. Said she had received grace just as she needed, and added, I have had the greatest evidence of my acceptance with God during my affliction that I have ever had; and quoted these words, "Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now keep I thy law."

I carefully introduced the Sabbath, and referred to her sickness as the means, perhaps, that God designed to bring her where these things might reach her. Her bosom began to swell with emotion, and she broke out, saying, "Christ! Christ! He is all to me. He is every thing. Your Sabbaths, away with them. If you have not got the love of God in your soul what good can these things do."

I replied, we may have the love of God in our souls, and feel that Christ is all to us, yet search for the truth, and try to find out our own errors, that we may put them away. (It seems to me that the love of Christ will constrain us to these things.) She broke out in a strain louder than before, saying, "If I have Jesus Christ formed within, the hope of glory, what do I want more? What more can I have?" Another aged and honorable lady who sat by, joined with her, saying the same words. Now, then, if one commandment is to be discarded, as not worthy of our notice, then others may be disposed of in the same way, and finally no commandment be binding on us. (Under grace as some would have it.)

Another idea conveyed, is, that we cannot observe the Sabbath of the fourth commandment, and at the same time be in the possession of the love of God.—Now is it so, that obedience to God's commandments takes the place of love, and therefore love is made void? I do not understand it so. The Beloved Disciple, John, did not thus comprehend love; for he testifies, saying, "This is the love of God that we keep his commandments." Again, "He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him." And Jesus, himself, says, "If thou wilt enter into life keep the commandments." The apostle James understood it, for he said, Faith without works is dead, being alone. "Shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works." So say I.

Now I understand works to be the product of faith and love. We first hear, then believe, next obey.—And what does the keeping of his commandments signify; but to live them out. Then we must necessarily act, which produces works. It is nevertheless, the fruit of faith and love, (for a person would not be apt to bring forth fruit so contrary to the carnal nature if he did not love God,) and can be called nothing more nor less than obedience. Then if we must do the things he requires, in order to prove to God that we love him, I know of no way to excuse myself when he says, The seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God, in it thou shalt not do any work; but to rest "according to the commandment." Neither dare I call the observance of the Sabbath "unnecessary works," that has been or ought to be done away.

I would ask how a person can, willingly or knowingly, reject even the least of God's commandments, and maintain justification through Christ. Did Jesus die to justify us in sin, or to justify for past sins, when we should have thoroughly amended our ways and our doings? To me the latter seems more reasonable. Paul says "sin is the transgression of the law." What law? It cannot be that law of rites and ceremonies which only pointed to Christ, of which he is the end for righteousness to every one that believeth, and which was nailed to his cross; but it must be that law which convinced Paul that he was a sinner, slew him, and led him to cry out, "O wretched man that I am, who shall deliver me from the body of this death!" It convinced him of sin and justly condemned him, and he pronounced it holy, just and good, (yet it could not take away past sins; but Paul found a man that could, that man Jesus, who was crucified for our offences, that satisfied the claims of that law which required the death of every transgressor.)—Then if sin is the transgression of that law, how can we be justified from our sins until we cease to violate any part of it? If we would comprehend the extent, the length and breadth of the claims of that law on us, we must go to the life and teachings of Jesus. He fulfilled it, that is lived it out, and by so doing, magnified it and made it honorable. It does not say that he did it "away," but "made it honorable."

I praise the Lord that he lets a little light shine into my poor heart in this time of satan's triumph.—One more idea from the expression, "If I have Jesus Christ formed within, the hope of glory, what more can I have? While opposing some of his sayings, seems to me is flattering one's self that as soon as God has forgiven their past sins, and they are made to rejoice in Christ Jesus, because of his mercy towards them, they are then perfect in wisdom and knowledge, and are prepared to carry out the designs of God without further search.

Now it seems to me that then is the time that we should begin to search the scriptures diligently for truth, that we may obey and please him who hath called us to the fellowship of his Son, lest we be again brought into condemnation. Peter, no doubt, had Jesus Christ formed within, yet he was not perfect in knowledge or understanding. No doubt, however, but he was willing to be convinced of his errors, that he might repent of them. So must we be. I feel like trying every point, and every principle, and see if it is on a good foundation, that when the storm of the seven last plagues shall descend, to sweep away the refuge of lies and the hiding-places, my house may stand, being founded on the rock. O I do want to do his will, work for him, and have respect unto all his commandments, statutes and judgments. He is good and faithful in all his sayings. My soul is witness to it. His promises never fail. Whatever we ask we receive, because we keep his commandments, and he will withhold no good thing from them that walk uprightly.

S. PECKHAM. Volney, N. Y., May 7th, 1852.