“THE SABBATH WAS MADE FOR MAN.”
By M.
THE occasion upon which our Saviour spake the words at the head of this article, gives no countenance to the opinion of some, that Jesus by his conduct diminished in any respect the sacredness of the Sabbath, much less would his words countenance the opinion. See Matt. xii; Mark ii. The Saviour and the disciples were not pursuing an ordinary journey upon the Sabbath, when the latter plucked and ate the ears of corn. This is evident from two facts: 1. The journey would have been the greater crime, and so the first reproved by the Pharisees; but no reference is made to such journeying, and we conclude no occasion was given for doing so. 2. It appears evident that the Pharisees who rebuked the Saviour concerning the disciples, were traveling with them. This they would not have done, had the journey been of an unlawful length, or for unjustifiable purposes; since all testimony goes to convince us that they were very strict in the observance of the Sabbath. The reply which Jesus made to the Pharisees, only goes to distinguish the use of the Sabbath, from its superstitious abuse. It is allowable for merciful purposes, to do what on ordinary occasions would not be lawful. David, when famishing in his flight from the persecuting Saul, could eat the shewbread without condemnation, though upon ordinary occasions none could taste of it but the priests. We are taught by Christ that we may supply our wants upon that day, visit the sick, and preach and hear the gospel, even though, if necessary, we perform considerable journeys, or submit to bodily toil in doing it. But in all this, as well as in all other teachings of our Saviour upon the subject, he gave countenance to nothing incompatible with the law; and this the Jews (at least upon reflection) knew very well; or why did they not charge him with Sabbath-breaking, in his last trial? This would have been too high an offence with them, to have passed unnoticed, if they could have successfully maintained it. But if the circumstances of the occasion furnish no excuse for the violation of the Sabbath, the words of our Saviour establish the importance of its observance, and the binding character of the law by which it was instituted. The Sabbath was made for man, and not for the Jew simply. It was an institution designed for the benefit of the whole race, in whatever place or time it may exist. Nor can there be a reason set forth in favor of its observance prior to our Saviour's advent, which does not hold equally good if offered in favor of its observance by Christians. The words of our Saviour furthermore answer an objection often urged by anti-Sabbath observers, to the effect that the Sabbath has no natural indications of that sacredness which we affix to it. They say, "If the Sabbath is so sacred, why do the beasts of the field give it no attention? They feed and play as on other days. Why do not the clouds and vegetation observe it? Why does not the sun shine with a different ray? and nature work out by unmistakable signs the period which God has ordained for man's repose?" The answer is ready. The Sabbath was made for man, not for beasts, and birds, and clouds, and vegetation, and sunshine; these have no soul to save, no God to glorify, no minds and hearts to cultivate; but man has; and the Sabbath was ordained for his benefit in these particulars. The Sabbath is not, then, an unreasonable requirement made of man for no purpose, but it is a day that his nature requires, and which he cannot neglect without loss to himself.—From The Canada Christian Advocate of Feb. 8th, 1860. REMARKS.—"If the circumstances of the occasion furnish no excuse for the violation of the Sabbath, the words of our Saviour establish the importance of its159observance, and the binding character of the law by which it was instituted." What law is binding? Evidently the law containing the Sabbath commandment. How reads that command? "Remember the Sabbath-day to keep it holy. The seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God, in it thou shalt do no work," &c. Why? Because the Lord rested on the seventh day; wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath (rest-day), and hallowed it (or set it apart for sacred uses). What day? The seventh day. The Saviour's words establish the importance of observing the Sabbath; not by Jews simply, but by man, for "it was designed for the whole race" (of man) "in whatever place or time it (the race) may exist. There can be no reason set forth in favor of its observance by the Jews, prior to our Saviour's advent, which does not hold equally good if offered in favor of its observance by Christians." Then it is not "Jewish," although the seventh, not the first day, is the Christian Sabbath. The author of the above article seems in the main to write consistently, to argue conclusively. But how shall we reconcile the writing with the (probable) action, unless we suppose he has found a Bible whose Sabbath command reads after this manner: The first day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God, in it thou shalt do no work, &c. For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, and rested on the first day. If Jesus' conduct diminished in no respect the sacredness of the Sabbath (the seventh day), how dare feeble man raise his puny arm in defiance of that holy law which Jesus came to fulfill—to ratify? See Campbell's Translation.
M.