September 30, 1897
“Divine and Human” American Sentinel 12, 38.
E. J. Waggoner
The demand for Sunday laws illustrates just the difference between the Sabbath and Sunday. Sunday was made a rest day by human authority, and human authority is resorted to in order to make men keep it. The Sabbath of the Lord is the Lord’s day, made the day of Sabbath rest by Divine authority.AMS September 30, 1897, page 598.1
The Word maintains the Sabbath, and all the powers of earth cannot overthrow it. Of Sunday it is freely said that it is endangered if not protected by human law.AMS September 30, 1897, page 598.2
Religious people testify in court that they are, disturbed if thy see some one working on Sunday, especially if he keeps the Sabbath; while one who keeps the Sabbath may enjoy perfect Sabbath rest in the Lord with all the world at work.AMS September 30, 1897, page 598.3
The difference is that, between purely human religion and Divine religion. One day is God’s appointed rest, and the power of the Gospel is sufficient to establish it in the hearts of all who desire it. The other day belongs to the Papacy by best right, and has to be enforced by papal methods. One is the sign of God’s power to save, the other of man’s assumed power to save himself. The Sabbath stands for justification by faith, the Sunday for justification by works.AMS September 30, 1897, page 598.4