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

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Emperor, is thus stated by an eminent Roman<br />

Catholic historian. He says that Justin Martyr.<br />

"Was at Rome when <strong>the</strong> persecution that was<br />

raised under <strong>the</strong> reign <strong>of</strong> Antoninus Pius, <strong>the</strong><br />

successor <strong>of</strong> Adrian, began to break forth, where he<br />

composed an excellent apology in behalf <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

Christians."[18]<br />

Of <strong>the</strong> works ascribed to Justin Martyr, Milner<br />

says:--<br />

"Like many <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> ancient fa<strong>the</strong>rs he appears to<br />

us under <strong>the</strong> greatest disadvantage. Works really<br />

his have been lost; <strong>and</strong> o<strong>the</strong>rs have been ascribed to<br />

him, part <strong>of</strong> which are not his; <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong> rest, at least,<br />

<strong>of</strong> ambiguous authority."[19]<br />

If <strong>the</strong> writings ascribed to him are genuine,<br />

<strong>the</strong>re is little propriety in <strong>the</strong> use made <strong>of</strong> his name<br />

by <strong>the</strong> advocates <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> first-day <strong>Sabbath</strong>. He<br />

taught <strong>the</strong> abrogation <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Sabbatic institution;<br />

<strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong>re is no intimation in his words that <strong>the</strong><br />

Sunday festival which he mentions was o<strong>the</strong>r than<br />

452

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