History of the Sabbath and First Day of the Week - John N. Andrews

have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have
condemned the guiltless." The Most High had
ordained certain labor to be performed upon the
Sabbath, in order that sacrifices might be offered to
himself. But Christ affirms upon the authority of
the Scriptures, (Hosea 6:6) that there is something
far more acceptable to God than sacrifices, and that
this is acts of mercy. If God held those guiltless
who offered sacrifices upon the Sabbath, how
much less would he condemn those who extend
mercy and relief to the distressed and suffering,
upon that day.
9. Nor does the Saviour even leave the subject
here; for he adds: "The Sabbath was made for man,
and not man for the Sabbath; therefore the Son of
man is Lord also of the Sabbath." If the Sabbath
was made, certain acts were necessary in order to
give existence to it. What were those acts? (1) God
rested upon the seventh day. This made the seventh
day the rest-day or Sabbath of the Lord. (2) He
blessed the day; thus it became his holy day. (3) He
sanctified it, or set it apart to a holy use; thus its
observance became a part of man's duty toward
200