Lessons for Bible Students.
(HISTORY OF THE SABBATH, PP. 295-313.) What commenced when the Roman bishop attained to supremacy? What marked the midnight of the dark ages? Can the people of God be easily traced through this time? and why not? Who were among the first dissenters from the Romish church? When did the Waldenses originate? What does Rainer Sacho, a Dominican, say of their character? At what time did they withdraw into the wilderness? When was Christianity propagated in China? Did the Waldenses ever submit to the church of Rome? Being shut away from the world, were they so much exposed as others to the corruptions of the dark ages? How did they preserve the Bible in their midst? What does Dr. Edgar say of the extent to which they spread in the countries of Europe? Were there several sects of the Waldenses, or Albigenses? Did they reject the Old Testament? How did they regard the decalogue? p. 300, top. How did they regard the ordinances, introduced into the church since Christ's ascension? What name did a considerable portion of the Waldenses bear? What does Mr. Robinson state as the views of previous writers? What reason do Mr. Jones and Benedict assign for their being called Sabbatati? What does the Jesuit Gretzer state? In the 15th century the king of France having been informed against the Waldenses, what did he do? What did the persons sent out by him find? What did they discover in regard to their observance of the Sabbath and baptism? What did the king say to their report? What testimony does the French historian, Mr. De Thou, bear? What name did another class of witnesses to the truth, bear during the dark ages? How does Jones speak of them? Who certifies that the Cathari did retain and observe the ancient Sabbath? What does Benedict say of the account of their practicing circumcision? p. 305. What does Michael Geddes say has been the constant practice of the church of Rome? When did the Petrobrusians appear? Who certifies that this body of French Christians kept the Sabbath? Are the Anabaptists often referred to in the dark ages? What does the term signify? From what circumstance have they been overwhelmed in obloquy? Do they appear however to have been the movers in this work? Was the ancient Sabbath retained and observed by a portion of the Anabaptists? What is thus seen within the limits of the old Roman empire? What churches have existed in Central Africa from the first part of the Christian era? How are their views of the Sabbath stated by their ambassador at the court of Lisbon? p. 309. What did he say of their reasons for first-day observance? Did he offer any scripture in support of this festival? When was the emperor of Abyssinia induced to submit to the pope? As soon as he had done this, what action was he compelled to take in regard to the Sabbath? Was the tyranny of the Romans finally overthrown? What faith was then restored? What may be said of the Armenians of the East Indies? What three great doctrines of popery do they deny? What reply did they make when required to do homage to the virgin Mary? How is the Sabbatarian character of these churches stated by Mr. Yeates? Why did the Jesuit missionary, Xaverius, wish the king of Portugal to establish the inquisition in his portion of the Indies? What does this most clearly show? What does a distinguished clergyman of the church of England (Buchanan) say of their Sabbatarian character? p. 313.