The Perpetuity of the Seventh-day Sabbath

THIRTY-FIRST SPEECH

Mr. Waggoner in the Affirmative.—Beloved friends, I am happy for one thing, that we have got along so pleasantly in this discussion. I think we have got along very pleasantly, indeed, for two persons of such positive temperament. I am, also, very thankful for the good order that has been preserved during the entire discussion. It speaks well for the people of Crane’s Grove. Although it has been asserted that I have failed to take a position on one point of the question, and have, therefore, failed to establish its truth, I think the perpetuity of the fourth commandment Sabbath through the present age, has been very fairly shown by the various New Testament scriptures I have quoted. But I did not suppose that the discussion was to close so soon, and as long as it lasted I supposed it was my privilege to discuss the question as I saw fit. Some of my most important arguments my opponent has never noticed at all, and, in fact, it seems as though he could not content himself to be bound by any of the usual rules governing debates. He would bring in arguments and then complain that I was not there before him, whereas, I, being on the affirmative side of the question, had the privilege of choosing my own rate of advance. PSDS 116.1

I shall not, therefore, attempt to sum up all the arguments of my opponent, nor the various positions taken by him, but shall show the subject as I think it stands before this congregation. PSDS 116.2

I assume that the Sabbath mentioned or enjoined in the fourth commandment and the Sabbath of the Lord are identical. The Sabbath of the Lord was made at creation. The Sabbath of the fourth commandment is the Sabbath of the Lord. Therefore, the Sabbath of the fourth commandment was made at creation. PSDS 116.3

Now, about the fourth commandment as recorded in Deuteronomy 5:14, 15. I contend that the pronoun “it,” refers to something at the creation. If the Sabbath of the Lord was a thing 2000 years past, why, command man to observe it?—why, command man to work six days and rest the seventh? I have been willing, from the beginning, to rest the question on just such plain arguments as these “in it”—that is, in the Sabbath of the Lord, “thou shalt not do any work,” etc. PSDS 116.4

My opponent contended that “the Sabbath was made for man,” “should read, for the man” “or for the Son of Man.” Therefore, the Son of the man is Lord, also, of the Sabbath day. If we accept that translation in the one case, we must in the other. Then we have got, not only the first Adam, but the second Adam. The Sabbath was made for the first Adam as well as the second. PSDS 116.5

Again, he brings up the word also. This is Mr. Newton’s house, he also resides in it. He should have said, this is Mr. Newton’s house: This is also the house of Mr. Newton. PSDS 117.1

I have claimed that the Sabbath of the fourth commandment was set apart from creation, before the covenant was made at Horeb. And the ten commandments were the covenant of God which is plainly the covenant to be kept through a thousand generations. PSDS 117.2

Beyond this. I wish to go in my argument, and show [something ruled out as not in order.—Reporter]—,but because they would not keep the law, the kingdom should be taken from them, and give to another. Now, I do not suppose that my opponent will assume that the Savior was here speaking of the New Testament law, for he has himself stated that reference was made to the old dispensation. Matthew 2. I would like to compare some passages in the Old and New Testaments, but the point has not been noticed at all, and I forbear. PSDS 117.3

My opponent has argued that some, if not all the principles of the old law were incorporated into the new, and yet he affirms that we are not under obligation to keep any of the old precepts, especially the fourth. I say, I glory in the fact that Jesus came not to destroy the law and the prophets, but to fulfill. I do not argue justification by the law. The carnal mind is removed by Christ, and it is by faith in Him that we are kept from disobedience. PSDS 117.4

The law is not made void by Christ, neither has it expired by limitation. I think the Apostle Paul clearly proves the perpetuity of it. PSDS 117.5

One class had the law written for them upon tables of stone, and one class had the law or its principles written on their hearts. They will both be judged by the same law in the day when they shall be judged by their God. Both reach forward in their consequences to the judgment day. PSDS 117.6

I have, also, referred to the argument of the Apostle James, that he refers to the same law that Paul does in Romans, for he makes use of the same quotation from—. We have got a law in both Testaments that says do not kill, and, it also says, do not commit adultery. This law is plainly referred to throughout all the Apostle James’ writings, and my opponent has never invalidated it in the least. ¹ He introduces——into the kingdom of heaven and then takes up that law and quotes from it. The argument I based upon James, has not had a single word said against it—not one word of fault found with the conclusion I drew. The Apostle James says the same as Matthew. Whosoever offends in one point, is guilty of a breach of the whole law. He, also, refers it forward to the judgment. All of the New Testament writers refer forward to the final judgment. PSDS 117.7

It has been said that a general declaration was destroyed by a limitation. I have denied it and I deny it still. There was a people brought out of the land of Egypt, therefore the law was given. Let us apply the same to the prophets. There was a people brought out of the land of Egypt—therefore the prophets foretold that a Savior should come. PSDS 118.1

We understand that God is Supreme and yet we have a limitation. “He is the Lord thy God.” Will my opponent argue thus? PSDS 118.2

Very many arguments might have been advanced on both sides, that have not: The subject is by no means exhausted, and it is one of the greatest in the whole Bible. In coming to a conclusion at this point in our investigations we do not claim that all the arguments of either side, have been exhausted. PSDS 118.3

I would advise you, as my opponent did in his last speech, to search the scriptures, for an error will never sanctify us or fit us for God’s kingdom. Truth alone can do this. We do not blame our friends of the negative for being tenacious on this point of the Sabbath, and they must not blame us for being tenacious also. We believe that the whole gospel plan of salvation is suspended upon this point. No government can exist without a law. [Stephenson, gives notice that he shall reply to this.—Reporter.] If there ever was a moment when the law of God was abolished or suspended in its operations, then, I say, there was no government. There can be no government without law. And we ask you to carefully investigate this subject and see whether the principles that bound man to his Maker, before Jesus Christ suffered and died, were ever abrogated; Whether they were set aside by the coming of Christ into the world. God is love, and because He is love, He gave His own Son to die for man. Because man was under condemnation for disobeying God’s law, He would sooner give His own Son, to suffer and die upon the cross, than to abrogate that law or permit man to perish. PSDS 118.4

I can say, that on personal considerations for myself, I rather hail the close of this discussion with joy than the beginning. As I remarked before, my bodily strength is not sufficient to warrant a longer continuance of the debate. PSDS 119.1

I can but thank the audience for their uniformly good deportment. We find that all controversies, and more especially religious controversies, frequently cause the passions of men to rise beyond control. Religious wars, or wars caused by the different religious opinions, are always characterized by the greatest cruelty. Again, we would express our gratitude for your kind and respectful attention. I do not expect to return here very soon, i ever. I would, therefore, take an affectionate farewell of this people, and I pray that God may sanctify you all through His truth. May we all enter into the spirit of the word we read and be “wise unto salvation.” PSDS 119.2

Mr. Stephenson: I see that I am very hoarse, but I wish to reply to the new point which my opponent brought up in his last speech. PSDS 119.3

I conceive that there was no labyrinth or period of time between one dispensation and the other. Christ created His law before, and it took effect at his death. PSDS 119.4

About the article “the,” I have been informed that it is prefixed to all Greek nouns, but when it would destroy the sense by rendering it into English, the translation omitted it. I will read two texts: Deuteronomy 5:24. Here the word man was limited to the twelve tribes of Israel. Psalm 78:24, 25. It is thus limited. PSDS 119.5

Mr. Andrews, (I think,) rose and said: It requires but little knowledge of the Greek language, to show that all nouns are not preceded by an article. I hold in my hand a Greek Testament, and a great many nouns, both common and proper, with no article prefixed. PSDS 119.6

Mr. Stephenson: I merely said I was told so, and it was by a person who pretended to have a good knowledge of Greek. PSDS 120.1

mr. waggoner: And I would remark that I was told by a person in the same vicinity, that there were no articles at all in the Greek language. I guess we will have to let one statement balance the other. PSDS 120.2

Mr. Stephenson: I think perhaps we will. PSDS 120.3

Mr. Waggoner: No, I was mistaken, it was in reference to another language—the Hebrew, I believe. PSDS 120.4

[And so ended the discussion—Reporter.] PSDS 120.5

[From the Prophetic Expositor and Bible Advocate.] PSDS 121.1