Installment nineteen

At the end of our previous entry, the three ministers had settled on a plan
to try to sidetrack the Sabbath issue to avoid a confrontation with Mr.
Anderson.
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Installment nineteen:

There was no lack of interest or attendance when the appointed time came.
It was generaly understood that Dr. Spaulding would attack the Sabbath
question "without gloves." So naturally the interest centered on Mr.
Anderson. It seemed inconceivable that he would allow Dr. Spaulding's
statements to go unchallenged. Mr. Anderson, however, sat in a somewhat
secluded position, evidently having no purpose to enter into controversy.
To him, debate was painful and he avoided it whenever possible.
"My Christian friends," began Dr. Spaulding, "I am profoundly convinced
that many questions relative to our various beliefs can never be fully and
satisfactory settled. In fact, I believe it's not the plan of God that they
should be. No one can know absolutely that he is right. All doctrines are
relative. Truth today may be error tomorrow.
The question of the Sabbath is one of the unsettled points of faith. One
denomination holds one position, another holds another. Muslims observe
Friday; Jews Saturday, and the Christian world as a whole Sunday."
"Pardon me, Dr. Spaulding," (the speaker was a scholarly-looking judge
of nearly seventy winters, who sat directly in front of the minister), "but
do you really mean to have us believe that you think it doesn't matter
whether we keep Friday or Sunday, provided we have the right spirit?"
Did I not hear you say yesterday that if anyone should keep the seventh
day he would be 'almost a Christ killer'? You certainly led us to the
conclusion that a great deal of importance is attached to the matter of
which day we observe. You also said yesterday that today you would
show that the 'seventh day business,' as you termed it, 'is a pretty
small affair.' "
Dr. Spaulding hesitated and was evidently confused. His well-planned
diversion was failing. With difficulty, however, he attempted to proceed.
"Before the interruption I was about to say that..."
"But doctor, I insist on an answer. I have good reason for so doing, as you
ought to know. Are you now repudiating the doctrine which only yesterday
you were endorsing?"
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To be continued....