The word "Sunday" does not occur in the Scriptures. It is but a term used to designate the first day of the week, which is specifically mentioned eight times in the New Testament. The word "Sunday," like the common names for other days of the week, is of heathen origin. Webster's "International Dictionary" says of this name, "So called because this day was anciently dedicated to the sun, or to its worship."
The Old Testament unmistakably places the first day of the week in the list of working-days. The only commandment of the Bible requiring the observance of a rest day, plainly reveals this. Thus it is written: "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work: but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God." Ex. 20: 8. From this positive statement, no line of reasoning is needed to establish the proposition made above; for there being but seven days in any given week, and all of them being designated labor days, except the seventh, it is clear that the first day must be included in the days set apart for personal labor.
The Working-Days
Again, by instruction given through the prophet concerning regulation of sanctuary service, this rule was distinctly given: "The gate of the inner court that looketh toward the east shall be shut the six working-days; but on the Sabbath it shall be opened." Eze. 46: 1. This counsel, given nearly a thousand years after the delivery of the Sabbath law from Sinai, is an added evidence that the Sabbath law not only distinguished the first day of the week as laboring time, but that God so regarded it in Ezekiel's period of life, and so spoke of it to the people of that time.
It may be in place here, too, to say that the teaching of the Old Testament is as valid now, in its positive truth, as when it was given to the world; because to discount these writings is but to reject the foundation proof of the New Testament authenticity. On this point it has been justly said that "the New Testament was hid in the Old, and the Old Testament is revealed in the New." On this point see Heb. 1: 1, 2; 1 Peter 1: 10-12. One may therefore safely count on the New Testament's continuing to communicate sentiment the same as or similar to that contained in the Old.
The New Testament Testimony
Coming, then, to the New Testament to look for the location and nature of the first day of the week, one is quickly satisfied on both of these points; for in his search he finds the first mention of this definite day in Matt. 28: 1. Referring, in that text, to the two Marys who came to view the tomb of Christ, the record reveals that their visit occurred "in the end of the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week."
This statement may be cleared of any misapprehension of meaning by reading its parallel account, given by another writer. Here it is: "When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint Him. And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulcher at the rising of the sun." Mark 16: 1, 2.
Considering these two testimonies together, only a single conclusion can be drawn from them, and that is this: The first day was not reckoned as a Sabbath, or rest day, as late as A.D. 37, when Matthew wrote his account, nor yet in A.D. 63, when Mark submitted his record from Rome; because each of these chronicles locates the first day as time next following the Sabbath, which always came on the seventh day.
Would Not Anoint the Lord's Body on the Sabbath
A further point of interest in this associated testimony is more fully developed by still another witness, when making record of the same historic fact; that is that these women came to the tomb on that first day with their anointing spices, which had been prepared on the day before the Sabbath, and which they might have used on the Sabbath, had the Sabbath law but permitted it. Following is the inspired record of the three days which began with the crucifixion of the Saviour: "That day was the preparation, and the Sabbath drew on. And the women also, which came with Him from Galilee, followed after, and beheld the sepulcher, and how His body was laid. And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments; and rested the Sabbath day according to the commandment." Luke 23: 54-56.
There can be no question but that that Sabbath day rest "according to the commandment" was the original seventh-day Sabbath; and as no divine commission was known which permitted the anointing of a dead body on the Sabbath, such labor was included by them in the list of human works which were not permissible according to the commandment of Sabbath rest. There was, however, no question about the legality of such performance on the first day, since, "according to the commandment," that was a time in which one might do all or any part of his work. Accordingly, "upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulcher, bringing the spices which they had prepared." Luke 24: 1.
The Church Founders' View of Sunday
These records declare precisely how the founders of the Christian church regarded the first day of the week. It is certain that they looked upon it as a day in common with the other working-days of the week, and therefore ordered all their business arrangements, both in the church and in the world, accordingly. This same principle was held inviolate by the apostle Paul in every instance, so far as known. Coming on one occasion to Troas, at the close of a week's visit, he held an all-night meeting on the first day of the week, so that he might say all that he would to the church, before departing on the morrow. Acts 20: 7. In determining the exact significance of this meeting, however, it should be remembered that, according to God's order, each day begins and ends with the setting of the sun. See on this point Lev. 23: 32 and Mark 1: 32.
To keep this Troas night meeting within the confines of the first day, it must therefore have been held on the night following the Sabbath, on what is now called Saturday night, so that on the morning of the first day, or Sunday, the apostle might go early afloat on his journey across to Assos, a distance of about twenty miles. This was evidently the case, as may be gathered from Luke's account of the affair; for he says, in verse four, that seven companions besides himself accompanied Paul on this trip, and in a succeeding statement, tells just what they did while the apostle was thus occupied. In this he says: "And we went before to ship, and sailed unto Assos, there intending to take in Paul: for so had he appointed, minding himself to go afloat." Verse 13.
This arrangement by the apostle was evidently because the sixty-mile journey around the promontory from Troas to Assos would consume more time than he wanted to spare, and he preferred to use part of it in giving needed instruction, with the expectation of arriving at Assos across country, by the time the others reached there by ship. It would not be creditable to the great apostle to think that if he had believed the time of that Troas meeting was holy time, he would have "appointed" his companions to do the common work of sailing a vessel sixty miles over the Ægean Sea during that period, simply to hasten his journey a few hours toward Ephesus, whither he was going. On the other hand, one is forced to believe that the apostle considered those hours a part of the six working-days, and arranged the departure of his brethren accordingly.
Business Transacted by the Apostles on Sunday
In conformity with this established principle, the apostle instructed the churches of Galatia and Corinth systematically to raise funds for the poverty-stricken believers at Jerusalem. The plan was this: "Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come." 1 Cor. 16: 2.
A brief examination of this text will show that the apostle had in view a simple business proposition. To avoid the uncertainty of a superficial collection upon a hurried visit he expected soon to make, these people were exhorted to lay aside beforehand a certain amount of funds on each first day, the exact sum to be determined by the rate of prosperity enjoyed the previous week. The rule of calculation enjoined could not well be followed otherwise, since to compute future smiles of fortune, so as to lay aside its due proportion for charity, would be only problematical, and therefore inaccurate and unsatisfactory. But to reckon up one's actual amount of income for such a purpose, would be an act of real business, proper only for a working-day, if due consideration be given to the law of the Sabbath.
Some have supposed that because Christ ushered Himself into the fortified upper chamber among His frightened disciples, on His resurrection first day, such an act was the sanction for an interminable observance of the first day. But this is bare supposition without any foundation in fact. Nothing can be more certain than that the Saviour designed for His followers to observe the Sabbath, as He Himself observed it during His earthly ministry. See Luke 4: 16. The ground of this certainty is found in the fact7that when predicting the distant future overthrow of Jerusalem, and the necessary hasty departure therefrom by His disciples, He commanded, "But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the Sabbath day." Matt. 24: 20.
In this express direction, both the physical and the spiritual needs of the people were considered. Whatever view may be taken as to the full divine intention of this caution, one thing can not be denied; and that is that in the words uttered, the Sabbath was surely safeguarded, even under the most dire conditions. Another thing must also be apparent: If the Sabbath was to be held thus sacred by Christians forty years after the death of Christ, it is good ground for believing that it should be held sacred throughout an added eighteen hundred years. And there being no divine requirement for more than one holy rest day in each week, the first day can have no place as holy time in the Christian economy.
In the Secret Place
By M. E. S. H.
THE Secret Place is known to those who are yielded to their Lord in willing obedience to all His commandments. If we break the least of these, we are guilty of all, says James 2: 10. Tho we are "under grace" through faith, yet Paul asks, "Shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace?" and he answers with "God forbid." He asks again, "Do we then make void the law through faith?" and to this question also he responds, "God forbid: yea, we establish the law." Rom. 3: 31.
Obedience to God brings His peace; and with peace, light and joy never known to the disobedient, nor experienced by those who rebel against His holy law that can not be destroyed, but stands forever.
"In Thy light may we see light," is the prayer of those dwelling in the Secret Place. Light brings the knowledge of God's will. Says Jesus, "Whosoever shall do the will of My Father which is in heaven, the same is My brother, and sister, and mother." Matt. 12: 50. They that follow and teach the commandments of men worship God in vain. "In vain they do worship Me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men." Matt. 15: 9. "Why call ye Me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?" Luke 6: 46-48.
Grace can not save us unless we are willing and obedient servants, doing the will of God from the heart. Earthly kings demand obedience from their subjects. Shall not the King of all the earth maintain His authority of command over those whom He formed by the Spirit of His breath? Yea, those who enter "through the gates into the city" must be among those who are "purified, and made white, and tried;" among those of the white-robed throng to whom it will be said, "Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus." Rev. 14: 12.
Those who by obedience have taken up the cross to follow the Lamb, "shall have persecution;" but Jesus said, "Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." "Thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ." Therefore we will follow Him, who for the joy that was set before, despised the shame, endured the cross, till we see Him face to face.
M. E. S. H.
"The Seventh Day Is the Sabbath"
By Julia L. Colegrove
By Julia L. Colegrove
Mid the noise and tumult around me,
I can feel a rest and a calm;
For while men are toiling and delving,
All nature is singing a psalm.
And the noise of nature is clearer
Than the rush and din to my ears;
And my heart gives thanks for a Sabbath,
And the God of the Sabbath reveres.
For worship is due the Creator,
And sweet to the toiler is rest,
And the day set apart by Jehovah
Is surely the day that is best.
O heavens of infinite grandeur,
So glorious by day and by night,
Ye speak of the Being who formed you
With excellent wisdom and might.
And rivers so ceaselessly flowing,
Ye speak of the peace that may be
In obedient hearts of believers,
With joy like the waves of the sea.
Think, ye who would follow the Master
With loving obedience and awe,
Did He, by example and precept,
Make void any part of the law?
OUR BIBLE READING
What Will Occur at His Coming?
1. What startling message goes to the world just before the second coming of Christ?
"And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to Him; for the hour of His judgment is come: and worship Him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters." Rev. 14: 6, 7.
2. When the voice of the Son of God is heard at His coming, what takes place among the righteous, both the living and the dead?
"For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we that are alive, that are left unto the coming of the Lord, shall in no wise precede them that are fallen asleep. For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven, with a shout, with the voice of the Archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first; then we that are alive, that are left, shall together with them be caught up in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words." 1 Thess. 4: 15-18, A.R.V.
3. Is incorruptibility, or immortality, bestowed upon both the resurrected and the living righteous at the second coming of Christ?
"Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?" 1 Cor. 15: 51-55.
4. What is done with the wicked who are alive at the second coming of Christ?
"And then shall that wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of His mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of His coming." 2 Thess. 2: 8.
5. Will these wicked ones who are destroyed by the brightness of His coming, together with all the wicked who have died before them, ever be brought to life again?
"Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear His voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation." John 5: 28, 29.
Pearls Before Swine
By Delwin Rees Buckner
By Delwin Rees Buckner
The swine, assaulted in his bath of mud,
Fast inundates the air with peal on peal
Of fear as his indented muscles feel
Assassin knees, while on the blazing wood
He eyes the caldron with its frothing flood,
And sees the red-faced butcher poised to deal
The blow, low brandishing the frozen steel
Which soon will thaw within his steaming blood.
Not otherwise the filthy herd who spurn
Rare pearls of truth, and stamp them in the mire—
Gems of such beauty, purity, and worth—
Will wail and gnash their teeth meanwhile they burn
Within the fierce, annihilating fire
Which fumigates the wallows of the earth.
Solis, Argentina.
"If We Had but a Day"
We should fill the hours with the sweet,
If we had but a day;
We should drink alone at the purest springs
In our upward way;
We should love with a lifetime's love in an hour,
If the hours were few;
We should rest, not for dreams, but for fresher
power
To be and to do.
We should guard our wayward or wearied wills
By the clearest light;
We should keep our eyes on the heavenly hills,
If they lay in sight;
We should trample the pride and the discontent
Beneath our feet;
We should take whatever a good God sent,
With a trust complete.
We should waste no moment in weak regret,
If the day were but one—
If what we remember and what we forget
Went out with the sun.
We should be from our clamorous selves set free
To work or to pray,
And to be what the Father would have us to be,
If we had but a day.
—Anon.
Homeward Bound
By Maggie A. Pulver
By Maggie A. Pulver
Each day leads on to the great beyond;
Each step is one step nearer
To home and rest among the blessed
In heaven, and Christ, still dearer.
Each night, I lay one page away,
My record heaven is keeping.
The angels know what seeds I sow,
And what shall be my reaping.
The moments haste. No time to waste,
Eternity is nearing.
O Lord of light, robe me in white,
To stand at Thy appearing.
Stoddard, Wisconsin.
Church Union
IN the discussions over church union, or church federation, there are constantly arising those who see the fallacy of it. Such a plan of union as is proposed means the breaking down of definite conviction, and supplying in its stead the notion that you must follow the big crowd. The union that is proposed is more of an ecclesiastical political combination than anything else. Christ has never commissioned His people to enter into any such arrangement.
Speaking on the subject, one of our most appreciated religious exchanges says it "has no hesitation in saying that the union for which it labors, hopes, and prays is union on Baptist ground." Our ardent federationists would no doubt say that our Baptist brother editor shows narrowness and bigotry. But instead, we would say that he shows that he has some definite convictions that he does not propose to give up until he can be persuaded by the teaching from God's word.
But it is argued that the Bible does teach the unity of God's church. This is very true, and it is also just as true that the unity called for must be built upon the definite sayings of the Word itself. "Sanctify them in the truth: Thy word is truth," are the words of the Master's prayer for His followers. John 17:17. And again, in the same prayer, He says:
"I have given them Thy word; and the world hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. I pray not that Thou shouldest take them from the world, but that Thou shouldest keep them from the evil one." John 17:14, 15.
Another scripture reads:
"And if ye call on Him as Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to each man's work, pass the time of your sojourning in fear: knowing that ye were redeemed, not with corruptible things, with silver or gold, from your vain manner of life handed down from your fathers; but with precious blood, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot, even the blood of Christ: who was foreknown indeed before the foundation of the world, but was manifested at the end of the times for your sake, who through Him are believers in God, that raised Him from the dead, and gave Him glory; so that your faith and hope might be in God. Seeing ye have purified your souls in your obedience to the truth unto unfeigned love of the brethren, love one another from the heart fervently: having been begotten again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, through the word of God, which liveth and abideth. For, All flesh is as grass, and all the glory thereof as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower falleth: but the word of the Lord abideth forever. And this is the word of good tidings which was preached unto you." 1 Peter 1:17-25.
These verses call for redemption through the blood of Christ. They require that our faith and hope shall be in God. Our souls are to be purified by our obedience to the truth, and God's word is truth. We are begotten in the gospel through the word of God, which abideth forever.
No man can be saved through the enthusiasm of great unions and great federations. These may serve to captivate and intoxicate the mind, but they can not save us from sin and eternal death. We must have the living Word acting in our lives and producing gospel reforms in daily conduct if we are to have the salvation of God. Neither federation nor semi-political church unions can save us. God has given His plan, and His infinite wisdom and love devised it. It can not be improved upon, and to reveal His plan to the children of men was the one purpose of His word.
If we sincerely study God's word to know the truth, we will have no disappointment about finding it. He who "so loved the world, that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on Him should not perish, but have eternal life," will never disappoint a single soul that comes to Him. But many a self-righteous and self-deceived person will be doomed to bitter disappointment in that great day; for thus speaks the infallible Word:
"Not every one that saith unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of My Father who is in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy by Thy name, and by Thy name cast out demons, and by Thy name do many mighty works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from Me, ye that work iniquity. Every one therefore that heareth these words of Mine, and doeth them, shall be likened unto a wise man, who built his house upon the rock: and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon the rock. And every one that heareth these words of Mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, who built his house upon the sand: and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and smote upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall thereof." Matt. 7:21-27.
Even those who have prophesied and taught in the name of Jesus will be found in that day to be among those He never knew. And why? The answer is plainly that while they heard God's word, yet they refused to be guided by it, and went on teaching things in the name of Christ that were wholly at variance with what that Word said. Let us not be among the class that while saying "Lord, Lord," yet do not adhere to what the Lord says. T.
