Is the Sabbath a Small Matter?
By E. B. Saunders
How frequently we hear from nominal professors that the particular day is a small matter; that if our hearts are only right, God will not call us to an account for the day we keep. And men who think themselves called to stand between the living and the dead, tell us that we "tithe mint and rue, and neglect the weightier matters of the law," if we urge the necessity of keeping the seventh day. When pressed a little for argument they will fall back upon their acceptance with God, saying, "The Lord has owned and blessed me, and I feel at peace with him, and if he wished me to keep Saturday he would not bless me in keeping Sunday." It is hard work and very discouraging to get the truth into the minds of such, and much harder to overcome their stubborn wills. I have heard of the drunkard being so steeped in strong drink, that upon a post mortem examination, even in their brain was found the scent of liquor. So it is with those who drink of the wine of Babylon; it pervades their entire being. While they are in this state they are about as insensible to the Spirit of God as those who are stupefied with strong drink. They draw nigh unto God with their lips, but their hearts are far from him. What? a small matter to disobey God? to change his holy law by which he rules Heaven and earth? A small thing to despise that law, to honor which, Jesus gave his life? Our God is particular, noticing small things, even numbering the hairs of our heads; and not so small a thing as a sparrow falls to the ground without his notice. Yet divines tell us he is not very particular to have men regard his holy day, virtually saying that some sins are so small that God will not be particular about them. Doubtless to such it may seem a small thing in Adam to eat of the forbidden fruit, yet it brought the curse of Heaven upon our race. Nadab and Abihu committed a small act, merely using common fire which God had not commanded, yet they miserably perished. The hearts of such persons are not right; for they are not willing to obey God in all things; yet they will persist in thinking themselves specially honored with the Holy Spirit. Their inconsistency is also seen in the fact that while they think God is not very particular whether we keep the day he has ordained or not, yet the day of man's appointment must be sacredly kept. It is like tithing mint and rue to keep the Sabbath, but a most heinous sin to break the Sunday. The words of our Lord will apply to such, "In vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men."