Christ's Teachings and the Sabbath.
By E. R. S.
OFTEN when the claims of the Sabbath are presented, the no-Sabbath advocates are ever ready with the reply that Christ never reproved Sabbath-breaking, therefore the fourth commandment is not now binding upon us. In reply it has been repeatedly shown that because the observance of the Sabbath was so strictly regarded at that time no such reproof was necessary. But the Saviour did take occasion to rebuke the Pharisees for a neglect of the weightier matters of the law, while they were thus strict in the observance of the Sabbath, and paying tithes of all they possessed, &c. And were it not for the light now being dispensed no such pleading would be offered as excuse for violating this holy precept. The faithful promulgation of the Sabbath truth cannot but develope the carnal mind of this wrath-bound generation who have so sadly misapplied and wrested the Scriptures to their own destruction. It is not my intention to discuss this point at length; for it is as plain a corollary as was ever drawn, that Jesus Christ and St. James have taught in unison that whosoever offends in one point (or precept) of the law is guilty of all, thereby omitting or relaxing no precept. But admitting the New Testament to appear silent in regard to the Sabbath, is it not entirely so in respect to many other sins that we might mention. I will here present one for the consideration of the candid: the great sin of slavery. It is historically affirmed that Christ and the apostles made their appearance in the Roman empire when the world was filled with slaves. It is stated by writers well informed on this subject, that forty millions of human beings were held in slavery at this time; about one fourth of the entire population; and the right of the owners was that of life and death without protection from law or mitigation of public sentiment. The Saviour saw all this; yet he has said nothing against slavery as far as we know from revelation during his ministry. Is slavery, therefore, no sin? Certainly not, if our opponents' premises are correct. But this kind of reasoning can never stand the searching eye of Jehovah. It may deceive and quiet some minds; but when the judgment of Babylon takes place, we are informed that in her is found the blood of martyrs and slaves and souls of men. So likewise those that keep not all the commandments of God, (fourth not excepted,) can entertain no hope or claim to the tree of life, or admittance to the golden City, but are found without with dogs and sorcerers, waiting for the second death, not fit for a place in the universe of God. Who would not rather be found in the class pronounced blessed. Rev. xxii, 14. E. R. S.