In looking over my notes of the discussion I notice some points that may be of interest to the readers of the SIGNS.
My opponent claimed the Sabbath was only made for the Jews. We showed that it was given at creation nearly two thousand years before there was a Jew. Gen. 2:2, 3. There was to be but one law for all. Num. 15:16. Rom. 2; 3:19, 20. Christ said, “The Sabbath was made for man.” Mark 2:27. Therefore whoever belongs to the human race has a right to the institution. Certainly the Gentiles are men as well as the Jews, if not they have no right to the marriage relation for Paul says: “The woman was created for man.” 1 Cor. 11:6. Does he mean Jew? God did not promise salvation to the Gentile while he remained in his Gentile faith and practices, but if he would turn away from these, and keep
God’s commandments and have faith in Christ then he was grafted into the tame olive tree and became of the Israel of God. See Rom. 11:17—and could no longer be regarded as a Gentile although he by nature was one, but that nature must be changed which Paul says is done by faith in Christ. Gal. 3:29.
In reply to David’s testimony in Psa. 19, that “The law of the Lord is perfect,” my opponent said the ten commandments were perfect in the age in which they were given, but that we had developed beyond them. If this is true, it is certain we have developed beyond God for he has never given us any other moral code. And the development is very sudden, as the ten commandments have always been regarded as a rule of conduct till very recently. Alexander Campbell said in his debate with Purcell, p 214, that they were the “Basis of all morality and religion.” Martin Luther says: “I never rejected the law.” Life of Luther p 217. Paul said: “I delight in the law of God.” Rom. 7:22. Verse 7 shows this was the law of ten commandments for that was the only law that said “Thou shalt not covet.” Again Rom. 3:31: “Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.
1 Kings 8:9 was relied on to prove that the ten commandments were a part of the old covenant. It reads, “There was nothing in the ark save the two tables of stone, which Moses put there at Horeb, when the Lord made a covenant with the children of Israel, when they came up out of the land of Egypt.” They were simply put into the ark when (at the time) a covenant was made, they were also put there when (at the time) they (Israel) came out of Egypt. With equal propriety of language, we could say that coming out of Egypt was the covenant, because it was at the time the covenant was made.
Jeremiah and Paul are the only two writers that mention the new covenant; then, from them alone, we must learn of its nature and obligations. Jeremiah says in chapter 31 of his book, that the new covenant shall be different from the old; and one point of difference as noticed in verse 33 is in regard to the law. Is it, that under the new covenant there shall be no law? This is the view of the Antinomians, that the subjects of the new covenant are all free from keeping the law, and only need to have faith. All must agree that the subjects of the old covenant promised to keep God’s commandments and obey his voice. Ex. 19:5-8. The words of his voice which God spake were the ten commandments, Ex. 20:1-17. These were written by God in tables of stone, and called a law. Ex. 24:12. The people entered into a solemn contract or covenant to keep these commandments. Ex. 24:3-8.
But their hearts were not right before God, they did not take delight in doing what he had commanded them, and often rebelled against him by refusing to keep the commandments, which they had agreed to; nevertheless they were all subjects of the old covenant, as that was simply an agreement to obey God, and when they neglected to obey him, they broke their covenant or agreement. Now let us hear Jeremiah about the law of the new covenant, Jer. 31:33: “I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts.” Paul’s testimony is the same: Heb. 8:8-12; Heb. 10:16-17. Under the old covenant they had the law in tables of stone but did not have it in their hearts. If it had been in their hearts they would have kept it. Under the new covenant we do not have the law merely in tables of stone, but on the fleshly tables of the heart. 2 Cor. 3:3; Jer. 31:33. We notice it was only those who had the law on tables of stone that were the subjects of the old covenant; so also, under the new covenant, all its subjects must have the law written in their hearts. How then can the Antinomian be a subject of the new covenant?
2 Cor. 3:6-9 was brought to show that we were not under the letter of the old law for that killed but the spirit, claiming that under the old covenant they were under the letter or obligation to keep the ten commandments which are now done away. But behold the letter that Paul speaks of was not of the old covenant at all but of the new testament or covenant, see verse 6. So then the ministration of the letter of the new covenant killeth, for Paul says we are “ministers of the new testament, not of the letter, for the letter killeth.” Moses was the prime minister of the old covenant which ministration was carried out in the letter by killing the willful transgressor of God’s law upon the spot, according to Paul’s testimony if the letter of the new testament was carried out by its ministers they would do the same, but they do not minister in the letter. Thus we see the penalty of sin under the new covenant is death, the same as under the old, but that part of the ministration God has not put into the hands of men. They can minister in the spirit but God will minister in the letter and finally destroy all who refuse to keep his laws.
Verse 7 speaks of the old ministration of death being done away (as far as man was concerned in its execution.) It was the death and not the ministration which was written in tables of stone by a figure of speech which placed the cause for the effect as in 2 Kings 4:40: “There is death in the pot.” There was that there which caused death so the ten commandments written in tables of stone caused death to the transgressor. Paul says: “The commandment which was ordained to life,” If he had obeyed it, “I found to be unto death.” Rom. 7:10. The ministration by man was done away not the final penalty.
The ministration was not written in tables of stone or anywhere else as the ministration of anything is an action performed by a minister and an action cannot be written. I might as well say I will write out school teaching as to say I will write out a ministration of anything. I may write out rules to govern school teaching and the same of any ministration. God gave Moses rules to regulate his ministration and these were written not on stone but on parchment.
Thus we see this scripture teaches the perpetuity of the law with its death penalty under the new covenant, but the ministration of that penalty is not in the hands of man, for God is very merciful and gives the sinner time to repent of his sins. If the full letter of the law was carried out in our ministration the first one who should commit a willful sin would be put to death instantly without mercy.
W. M. HEALEY.
Vacaville, Cal., January 11, 1878.
J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH
By John Norton Loughborough
District No. 1.
My meetings for the last two weeks have been with the six churches that constitute district No. 1, of the State T. and M. Society. The names of these churches in the order that I have visited them are Petaluma, Bloomfield, Green Valley, Santa Rosa, Christine, and Healdsburg.
These churches vary in age from one to nine years. Petaluma is the oldest, and also the first church raised up on this coast, while the Christine is the youngest of the six. The meetings I have had with these churches have been well attended and in them our people have responded nobly in making their figures on S. B. and the missionary one-third for 1878.
The S. B. pledge in this district for 1878 is $1,287.64 and the missionary one-third $418.90. In some cases during the last year, individuals have left our ranks in this district, but the number is more than made up by new ones embracing the truth at other points in the district. On the whole I am gratified to find so firm a condition of matters in our churches of Sonoma and Mendocino counties.
J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH
San Francisco.
By J. E. White
SABBATH, January 12, met with the church at San Francisco. The Sabbath-school showed a good interest in the smaller classes, but the Bible classes showed a lack in attendance. This is the greatest difficulty we have to contend with in many schools in California. It seems quite easy to interest the children, but hard to awaken an interest among the older members of the church.
We suggested that a committee be appointed to call upon each brother and sister in the church, as shown by the church book, and induce them to come to this very important branch of the worship of God.
The officers of the school thought the plan a good one, and promised to take hold of the work with renewed energy and courage. We look for good Sabbath-school work in San Francisco.
J. E. WHITE.
APPOINTMENTS.
By John Norton Loughborough
PROVIDENCE permitting I will hold meetings with the churches in California as follows :—
OAKLAND, State Quarterly Meeting, January 19 and 20.
SACRAMENTO, Wednesday evening, January 23.
TEHAMA Co., where Brother Brorsen may appoint, January 26 and 27.
ST. CLAIR, Nevada, February 2 and 3, and as long as the interest may demand.
J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.
State Quarterly Meeting.
THE business session of the State quarterly meeting at Oakland will be held evening after the Sabbath, January 19, at 6 o'clock. Preaching at Oakland Sabbath at 10:30 A. M., and Sunday evening, January 20, at 7:30.
San Francisco.
I WILL meet with the San Francisco church at their yearly business meeting, to be held on Sunday, January 20, at 10 A. M. It is hoped there will be a full attendance of all the members of the church; and that all will be there on time.
BUSINESS DEPARTMENT.
By Editor
Received for the Signs.
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Received on Account.
E L McCapes $20.00, Jackson Ferguson 13.75, Kansas T and M Society 23.00.
California Publishing Fund.
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Books, Pamphlets, Tracts, Etc.
Cruden's Concordance. $1.75, post-paid.
Dictionary of Bible. $1.75, post-paid.
Hymn and Tune Book; 537 hymns, 147 tunes. $1.00.
Progressive Bible Lessons. 50 cts.
" " " " for Children. 35 cts.
The Way of Life; a beautiful engraving 19x24 inches, with key of explanations. $1.00.
The History of the Sabbath and First Day of the Week. John Nevins Andrews. 528 pp, $1.25.
Thrilling Life Sketches. Incidents in the life of an Italian of noble birth. By Francesco Urgos. $1.25, post-paid.
Thoughts on Daniel. Uriah Smith. $1.00. Condensed paper edition, 35 cts.
Thoughts on the Revelation. Uriah Smith. $1.00.
The Sanctuary and its Cleansing. Uriah Smith. $1.00. Condensed edition in paper, 30 cts.
Life of William Miller, with likeness. $1.00.
Life of Joseph Bates, with Likeness. Revised. Edited by James White. $1.00.
The Nature and Destiny of Man. Uriah Smith. 384 pp. $1.00. Paper, 40 cts.
The Constitutional Amendment. A discussion between W. H. Littlejohn and the Editor of the "Christian Statesman." Bound, $1.00. Paper, 40 cts; Pamphlet, 10 cts.
Spirit of Prophecy, Vol. I. Ellen G. White. 416 pp. $1.00.
Spirit of Prophecy, Vol. II. Ellen G. White. 400 pp. $1.00.
Life of Christ, in four Pamphlets, by Mrs. Ellen G. White:--
No. 1. His First Advent and Ministry . . . 10 cts.
No. 2. His Temptation in the Wilderness . . . 10 cts.
No. 3. His Teachings and Parables . . . 15 cts.
No. 4. His Mighty Miracles . . . 15 cts.
The Game of Life (illustrated). Satan playing with man for his soul. In Board, 50 cts; in paper 30 cts.
Sabbath Readings for the Home Circle. 60 cts.
The United States in Prophecy. Uriah Smith. Bound, 40 cts. Paper, 25 cts.
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Facts for the Times. 30 cts.
History of the Doctrine of the Immortality of the Soul. Dudley Marvin Canright. 25 cts.
The State of the Dead. Uriah Smith. 25 cts.
Our Faith and Hope. Sermons on the Millennium, Second Advent, the Kingdom, the Judgment, the Time, the Sanctuary, and Saving Faith. 20 cts.
The Ministration of Angels, and the Origin, History, and Destiny of Satan. Dudley Marvin Canright. 20 cts.
The Atonement. J. H. Waggoner. 20 cts.
The Spirit of God. J. H. W. 20 cts.
The Nature and tendency of Modern Spiritualism. J. H. Waggoner. 25 cts.
Miraculous Powers. 20 cts.
The Complete Testimony of the Fathers concerning the Sabbath and First Day. John Nevins Andrews. 15 cts.
The Three Messages of Rev. 14, and the Two horned Beast. John Nevins Andrews. 10 cts.
The Morality of the Sabbath. Dudley Marvin Canright. 15 cts.
The Resurrection of the Unjust; a Vindication of the Doctrine. J. H. Waggoner. 15 cts.
Christ in the Old Testament and the Sabbath in the New. James White. 10 cts.
The Saints' Inheritance, or the Earth made New. John Norton Loughborough. 10 cts.
Dangers and Duties of Our Times. An earnest appeal from the General Conference Committee. 10 cts.
The Conference Address. An earnest Appeal to Seventh-day Adventists. 10 cts.
The Sanctuary and Twenty-three Hundred Days. John Nevins Andrews. 10 cts.
Sunday Seventh-day. A Refutation of Mede, Jennings, Akers and Fuller. John Nevins Andrews. 10 cts.
The Truth Found. J. H. W. 10 cts.
The Two Covenants. John Nevins Andrews. 10 cts.
The Hope of the Gospel: What it is, and when it will be consummated. J. N. L. 10 cts.
Review of Gilfillan on the Sabbath. 10 cts.
Vindication of the Sabbath. Morton. 10 cts.
The Date of the Seventy Weeks of Dan. 9, established. John Nevins Andrews. 10 cts.
Matthew Twenty-four. James White. 10 cts.
Four-cent Tracts: The Second Advent--The Seventh Part of Time--Celestial Railroad--Samuel and the Witch of Endor--The Ten Commandments not Abolished--Address to the Baptists--Present Truth--The Sufferings of Christ--The Two Thrones--The Third Message of Rev. 14--Spiritualism a Satanic Delusion.
Three-cent Tracts: Much in Little--The Lost-Time Question--Argument on Sabbaton--Infidel Cavils Considered--The End of the Wicked--Scripture Reference--Who Changed the Wicked--The First Message of Rev. 14--The Second Message of Rev. 14.
Two-cent Tracts: Christ in the Old Testament--The Sabbath in the New Testament--The Old Moral Code of Ten Commandments not Revised--Definite Seventh Day--Seven Reasons for Sunday Keeping Examined--Elihu on the Sabbath--The Rich Man and Lazarus--The Sanctuary of the Bible--The Millennium--Departing and Being with Christ--Fundamental Principles of S. D. Adventists--The Judgment; or the Waymarks of Daniel to the Holy City--The Two Laws--Spirit of Prophecy--One Hundred Bible Facts--The Law and the Gospel--Goa's Memorial.
One-cent Tracts: Appeal on Immortality--Thoughts for the Candid--Nahum's Chariots--The perfection of the Ten Commandments--Coming of the Lord--Without Excuse--Which Day do you keep and Why?--Geology and the Bible--The Sleep of the Dead--The Sinner's Fate--Can we know?--Is the End Near?--A Dialogue. Address, THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES, OAKLAND, CAL.
Meeting at Santa Rosa.
By James White
SABBATH, January 12, we were with the brethren at Santa Rosa and vicinity. There was a full attendance of the church, a few from Healdsburg and other places, and several from the outside. We spoke briefly of the love of God from the words of John, “Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us that we should be called the sons of God.” Mrs. W. then followed, filling the time of a lengthy service. The brethren enjoyed this Sabbath service very much.
Sister L. M. Hall from the SIGNS Office was with us, and accompanied us to the meeting at Santa Rosa. She had come to consult with us in reference to the publishing work. . . .”,
This devoted woman, well known to our people in consequence of accompanying us to the camp-meetings, from Maine to Minnesota, has found a sphere of usefulness where her active mind and rare genius have full scope in this important branch of the work. She is an editor. Writers are plenty, while good editors are scarce. It is in preparing, selecting and arranging the thoughts of others where editorial talent appears. Sister Hall has just left our humble mountain retreat to return to her post of duty at Oakland.