[SEVERAL years since some of our brethren in New England, were brought into trial on account of some teaching that it was wrong to eat swine's flesh. This fact led us to pen the following remarks. Much more might be said on the subject, but we give this for the consideration of those who may be troubled on this point.]
Some of our good brethren are troubled in regard to eating swine's flesh, and a very few abstain from it, thinking that the Bible forbids its use. We do not object to abstinence from the use of swine's flesh; if it is done on the right grounds. We think that too free and abundant use of it, and other animal food, of which many, and even some of our brethren in the present truth are not guiltless, is a sin; for it clogs and stupefies the mind, and in many cases impairs the constitution; but we do not, by any means, believe that the Bible teaches that its proper use, in the gospel dispensation, is sinful. But we do object to a misapplication of the holy scriptures in sustaining a position which will only distract the flock of God, and lead the minds of the brethren from the importance of the present work of God among the remnant. Error, however small it may appear, darkens and fetters the soul, and if persisted in, will lead to gross darkness, and great errors, and sooner or later its fatal results will appear.
The principal texts that are quoted to prove that the Gentile church is forbidden to eat swine's flesh are Isa. lxv, 4; lxvi, 17. Now we do really think that these texts fall far short of affording sufficient proof on this point. In fact, we must believe they have no direct bearing on this time. The burning of “incense upon the altars of brick,” remaining “among the graves,” lodging “in the monuments,” and sacrificing “in gardens,” are rebuked in connection with eating “swine's flesh.” Now, if one applies literally to our day, then, certainly, all do; but we think that no one will undertake a literal application of the whole of Isa. lxv, 4; lxvi, 17, to this time. This is one reason why we think that these texts have no literal bearing on this time.
The first verse of Isa. lxv, is evidently the call of the Gentiles. The three following verses show the rebellion and idolatry of the Jews. It was a sin for them to eat swine's flesh. The fifth verse shows their blindness, self-righteousness and hypocrisy. “Which say, Stand by thyself, come not near to me; for I am holier than thou.” The Jews boasted of their zeal in the law, rebuked the son of God, and falsely charged him with its violation, and finally crucified him.
But as we may not all see just alike as to what the Prophet teaches on this subject, let us come to the New Testament. And what do we find? Certainly, if eating swine's flesh is a sin in the sight of Heaven, in this dispensation, the New Testament has in some way taught us the fact. But we find that the New Testament does not, directly or indirectly, teach any such thing.
Our opponents say that the Sabbath is not taught and enforced in the New Testament; but it is a false assertion; for the followers of Jesus rested to the Sabbath according to the commandment, after the crucifixion.
St. Paul preached every Sabbath day, not only in the synagogues, but by the water side, and what is more than all, and which is proof positive that the Sabbath is taught and enforced in the New Testament, is, that the law of God, and the commandments of God, which embraces the Sabbath, and which means nothing more or less than the ten commandments, are, by Jesus and his apostles shown to be immutable, and are made a test of Christian fellowship and of eternal salvation.
But the New Testament is so far from teaching that the use of swine's flesh is wrong, that it affords good testimony that it is not forbidden. First, take the case of the Apostle Peter, when God was about to send him to preach to the Gentiles. His Jewish views and feelings in relation to common or unclean beasts that did not part the hoof and chew the cud, see Lev. xi, must first be removed before he could see that God was no respecter of persons, and that there was salvation for the Gentiles. “About the sixth hour,” (noon.) “Peter went upon the house-top to pray.” “He became very hungry, and would have eaten;” and in this state “fell into a trance.” The opening heavens discovered to him “a certain vessel” descending, in which, “were all manner of four-footed beasts.” &c. Certainly, swine were there. The sudden appearance of these beasts no doubt aroused Peter's Jewish feelings and prejudices; for he considered many of them unclean. At this point “there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter, kill and eat.” But Peter said, “Not so Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean.” This vision, and the connected circumstances, rid the Apostle of his exclusive feelings, and opened the way for him to preach to, and eat with the Gentiles.
Now look at some of the trials of the apostolic church, on the subject of eating with the Gentiles, and some other points of the law of Moses, and the final decision of the conference of apostles and elders assembled at Jerusalem. See Acts, chap. xv. Judaising teachers taught the churches that they, in order to be saved, must keep the law of Moses. This at once caused divisions among them, and called forth the following from the apostle Paul. “Let not him that eateth, despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not, judge him that eateth.” See Rom. xiv, 1-6. “Let no man therefore judge you in meat, &c.” See Col. ii, 14-17. The Gentile converts used swine's flesh, and other meats which were “abomination” to the Jews, while the converts from the Jewish church were still inclined to follow the law of Moses in these things, and were judging the Gentile converts, and binding on them burdens which the gospel did not require.
A conference was convened at Jerusalem to settle the question. Now read their decision, which they wrote to the brethren which were “of the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia.”
“For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things: that ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well. Acts xv, 28, 29.
Mark this: Their whole Christian duty was not embraced in the “letters” which they sent to the Gentile churches, as some would make us believe, in order to do away with God's Holy Sabbath; no, certainly not; but those points were embraced which were dividing the flock of God.
Some of our good brethren have added “swine's flesh” to the catalogue of things forbidden by the Holy Ghost, when the apostles and elders assembled at Jerusalem. But we feel called upon to protest against such a course, as being contrary to the plain teaching of the holy scriptures. Shall we lay a greater burden on the disciples than seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and the holy apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ? God forbid. Their decision, being right, settled the question with them, and was a cause of rejoicing among the churches, and it should forever settle the question with us.