Installment twenty-eight

At the end of our previous entry, Mr. Anderson was making a point that
God sanctified the "seventh day," and not any other day. It was at this
point that Mr. Gregory interrupted with a question.
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Installment twenty-eight:

"May I ask, brother," said Mr. Gergory, "what evidence you have that the
first seventh day is now to be identified with Saturday? To my mind, there
is much to show that our Sunday is the original seventh day."
"The evidence, Mr. Gregory, is so simple, and withal so complete, that there
can scarcely be a mistake. Without question, the fourth commandment calls
attention to the seventh day known at the beginning, does it not?"
"I agree with you that far." said Mr. Gregory.
"Very well, and I presume you will also agree with me in holding that the
Sabbath kept by the Saviour was the same as that given at Sinai."
"Yes, I think so," was the reply.
"I was sure you would," said Mr. Anderson; "and now le me call your
attention to the statement made in Luke 23:56, that, after the crucifixion,
the women who had been the most devoted disciples of Christ kept the
Sabbath day 'according to the commandment'. "
"Yes, but right there is a missing link. That may have been the ceremonial
Sabbath of the Passover week rather than the moral Sabbath of the fourth
commandment. You see, we must keep track of the week and make sure
that we are keeping in touch with the cycle of seven days, which continued
unbroken from creation until now."
"That is important, Mr. Gregory, and so important that our Lord has given
it emphasis. Let me ask a question: Was the Sabbath the women kept, the
day which came just before that other day, called 'the first day.'?"
"Yes, sir, it must have been."
"Another question: Was not that next day the day of the resurrection?"
"It certainly was."
"Then what 'first' day was it? Why, the Scriptures distinctly state that it
was the first day of the week. Do you think, friends, there is any missing
link in the connections? I do not believe that even Mr. Gregory will have
any questions about it. As you see, there is the Sabbath of the fourth
commandment, followed by the first day of the week, the week which
we all know to be the week of our present time. So we know that the
Sabbath of the fourth commandment, which is the Sabbath of creation
is the seventh day of our week. It is therefore the day which we ought to
observe and in which we shall find blessing. Isn't that plain?"
There was no dissent. Mr. Anderson had carried his audience with him.
"And do you remember the story of the burning bush? Exodus 3:1-6.
God's presence was revealed to Moses; and the word came, 'Put off
thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy.'
The presence of God made the very surroundings holy. The same word
was spoken to Joshua in Joshua 5:13-15.
So we learn this: God's blessing is His own presence. His presence
imparted to man makes the man holy. His presence manifested in
a place makes the place holy. The rest of the story is plain - His presence,
His blessing, in the seventh day makes the seventh day holy.
When God blessed the seventh day He simply put His presence into that
day for all earth's history. He did this for man. You know that Jesus said
'the Sabbath was made for man.' And how wonderful, then, was the
making! Every seventh day brings His blessed, holy presence. The holy
day carries its sanctifying, cleansing, uplifting power into the heart of
God's worshiping ones, and makes them glad in the gift of holiness.
The author of the Sabbath was Jesus Christ. Read John 1:1-3, 14;
Colossians 1:13-16. It is His presence which the seventh day encloses.
It is His life of which I partake in Sabbath keeping. And do I not there-
fore preach Him when I truly preach the Sabbath? Ah! This Sabbath
truth is among the grandest, of all the grand things brought to view
in the word of God!"
"Amen," called out Harold Wilson, who, by special invitation of Captain
Mann, was present; and all eyes turned his way.
Captain Mann was visibly affected. He recognized a witnessing voice
that was speaking in his soul. It was the voice of truth, which he could
not reject.
Dr. Spaulding and Mr. Gregory quietly waited until Mr. Anderson had
offered a short prayer, then they left.
"Spaulding, what did you think of that?" asked Mr. Gregory when they
were alone.
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To be continued...