THE LAW.—We find the following question and answer, among others, in the *Advent Herald* of June 12th, 1858:
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THE LAW.—We find the following question and answer, among others, in the Advent Herald of June 12th, 1858:
By Editor
Question. "Was not Moses' law composed of three parts, one part purely national, calculated to regulate the affairs of the nation, done away when the nation ceased to exist; for example, Ex. xxi, xxii; another part ecclesiastical, regulating the affairs of the church, of circumcision, and sacrifices, typical, fulfilled when the antitype come, or comes. First and last part that which was written upon two tables of stone, which was and is the foundation of all law, both Jewish and Gentile, until this day, composed of greater (the 2d part) and lesser, and is it not these, which a man was not to break? Matt. v, 19. Answer. "The Jewish law may be thus classified, and it is the law written on the two tables of stone, which continues in force now, and which we are not to break." We have italicised the last declaration, to give it the emphasis which it deserves. We of course discard the application of the term, "Jewish law," to the ten commandments in any sense whatever, but we are glad to see the acknowledgment in the Herald that it is the ten commandments written on the two tables of stone, which we are not to break. At the same time we could wish that its practice was consistent with its profession. How are we to keep these commandments? as they are written, or in some other manner? How shall we keep the fourth commandment, which enjoins upon us a day of rest, except by observing the very day therein specified? The Herald keeps the first day of the week; the commandment enjoins the seventh day. Now can the fourth commandment be kept in any such manner? Or, in other words, can we, by the observance of the first day, keep a commandment which enjoins the seventh day? The whole question resolves itself into this simple query. If we can, we would be glad to have it shown, as it would be very convenient for us sometimes in a worldly point of view, to be somewhat loose in its observance. But if it cannot, and the commandment is still in force, how fearful is the position of the Herald and all those whose consciences are quieted by its, in such case, pernicious teaching. It may be urged that there has been a change; but if so, it is not the law written on the two tables of stone. We believe that when God enjoins obedience, he means that it shall be rendered in the way he has prescribed. If any think otherwise we would recommend to them a perusal of the case of Nadab and Abihu, in Lev. x, and Clarke's concluding note thereon as follows: "God has here given us full proof that he will not suffer human institutions to take the place of his own prescribed worship. It is true this is frequently done, for, by many, what is called natural religion, is put in the place of divine revelation; and God seems not to regard it; but though vengeance is not speedily executed on an evil work, and therefore the hearts of the children of men are set to do wickedness, yet God ceases not to be just; and those who have taken from or added to his words, or put their own inventions in their place, shall be reproved and found liars in the great day. His long-suffering leads to repentance, but if men will harden their hearts, and put their own ceremonies, rites and creeds in the place of divine ordinances, and eternal truths, they must expect to give an awful account to Him who is shortly to judge the quick and the dead. "Well may we say of human inventions in divine worship what one said of the paintings on old cathedral windows, Their principal tendency is to prevent the light from coming in. Nadab and Abihu would perform the worship of God, not according to his commands, but in their own way; and God not only would not receive the sacrifice from their hands, but, while encompassing themselves with their own sparks, and warming themselves with their own fire, this had they from the hand of the Lord—they lay down in sorrow; for there went out a fire from the Lord and devoured them."