The Signs of the Times, vol. 12

November 25, 1886

“The Origin of Sunday” The Signs of the Times, 12, 45.

E. J. Waggoner

Following is a part of an article by the Rev. A. H. Lewis, D. D., which first appeared under the above heading in the Popular Science Monthly, and was copied into the Chicago Tribune of October 30, 1886. It contains nothing new, for it would be difficult to find anything new on this subject; but it is a very clear and concise statement of the origin of Sunday observance, and is worthy of a careful perusal. We are very glad to see articles of this class given a place in popular magazines and newspapers. It shows that the Sabbath question is rapidly coming to the front. W. SITI November 25, 1886, page 710.1

“‘Who Is My Neighbor?’” The Signs of the Times, 12, 45.

E. J. Waggoner

The following question has been asked:- SITI November 25, 1886, page 710.2

“According to the parable of the good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-37), who is our neighbor? Do verses 36 and 37 teach that they only are our neighbors who show themselves to be neighborly, and that it is only such that we are to love as our neighbor while we are to love others as enemies?” SITI November 25, 1886, page 710.3

We are not able to find in the Bible any distinction between the treatment of “neighbors” and “enemies.” If there were such a distinction, the parable referred to would certainly read differently from what it does. Between the Jews and the Samaritans there was bitterness amounting to almost deadly hatred. See John 4:9; Luke 9:51-54. For this enmity it seems that the Jews were chiefly responsible, as they considered themselves far superior to the Samaritans, whom they regarded with contempt, treating them as dogs. The worst thing the unbelieving Jews could say in reproach of Christ was, “Say we not well that thou art a Samaritan and hast a devil?” John 8:4. To call him a Samaritan was to brand him with him with infamy. SITI November 25, 1886, page 710.4

In the parable we have a man, presumably a Jew, since he was going down to Jericho from Jerusalem, who was maltreated by robbers, and left for dead. Some of his own countrymen, a priest and a Levite, passed by, and left him to his fate. But a Samaritan, one of the despised and hated race, came by, and did to the wounded man as is described. He could not have done more for him if he had been his brother. Now the question is, Who was my neighbor to him that fell among thieves? The answer is, “He that showed mercy upon him,” and this answer is accepted. The good Samaritan was neighbor to the disabled Jew, whom he treated as his own neighbor. And yet, the Jew was the enemy of the Samaritan. The only inference is, that when the law says, “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself,” we are to hold ourselves ready to serve anybody who needs our assistance, and are not stop to inquire whether the needy person is a “neighbor” or “enemy” and have two standards of action. In other words, our enemies are to be treated as our neighbors; or, better still, we are to act as though we had no enemies. In our dealings with our fellow-men we are not to consider if any man is our enemy, but are to treat all with kindly consideration. SITI November 25, 1886, page 711.1

This is in harmony with our Saviour’s words in the sermon on the mount: “Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; that ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.” Matthew 5:43-45. God dispenses the favors of his Providence impartially on the good and the bad. Blasphemers, as well as those who praise, are the objects of God’s kind of care. If we would be his children, we must do likewise. It is not in accordance with human nature so to do. This can be done only when we are fully imbued with the Spirit of him who on the cross prayed for his relentless persecutors, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” W. SITI November 25, 1886, page 711.2