The Day of the Sabbath

There can be no Sabbath institution unless some day is observed as a Sabbath. This is self-evident. Some particular day, recurring every week, must be used as a day of rest and religious observance in order to have such an institution. Since God is the author of the institution, he must have appointed some day for its celebration. To leave any day of the seven to be observed as the Sabbath, at the option of humanity, would have much the same effect as to have no Sabbath at all; the days of the week would stand upon an equality. The essence of the institution requires the appointment of a particular day of the seven as a day of rest and worship. Did God appoint such a day? If so, what day was it? Has the original appointment continued till the present time? Or has God f or some important reason, changed it to another day? What day is now obligatory?ChSa 11.1

These are questions of great moment. In religious truth, upon which our salvation hinges, we want to know God’s will. Human authority is not sufficient. In this age, everything which can be shaken will be shaken. We want to anchor to those things which will stand the test of the closest examination. It is an investigative age. Everything is being criticized. Our souls demand the truth. Truth will bear examination; but it is not so with error.ChSa 11.2

In the great Sabbath agitation of the present age, every point will receive the closest scrutiny by unbelievers. Christians should therefore know whereof they affirm. We want the divine warrant for religious institutions. Human authority is but as chaff to the wheat. What has the Lord said? should be our inquiry. “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God.... that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.”ChSa 12.1

We therefore propose to investigate the subject of the Sabbath with special reference to the question, What day should we observe as the Sabbath in this age of the world? The public mind is interested in it. Thousands of children, coming to years of understanding, ask their parents why they observe the first day of the week, while the commandment requires the seventh. We want to help these parents to answer that question truly. Multitudes are perplexed upon this point; and we hope to assist somewhat in answering it. We propose to examine the Scriptures; which should ever be of primal authority; also to consider the statements of history bearing upon it, and thus give the ground a brief but faithful examination. If the Bible will thoroughly furnish us “unto all good works,” it will enable us to settle this question correctly. Where shall we look for light upon it, if not to God’s revealed truth? “To the law and to the testimony;” if they do not afford us light, it is useless to look to human authority.ChSa 12.2