13.04.2018 Views

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

Create successful ePaper yourself

Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.

ETERNAL <strong>and</strong> NATURAL ACTS OF<br />

RIGHTEOUSNESS," a most appropriate<br />

designation indeed. Justin would fellowship those<br />

who act thus, provided <strong>the</strong>y would fellowship him<br />

in <strong>the</strong> contrary course. But though Justin, on this<br />

condition could fellowship <strong>the</strong>se "weak-minded"<br />

brethren, he says that <strong>the</strong>re are those who "do not<br />

venture to have any intercourse with, or to extend<br />

hospitality to, such persons; but I do not agree with<br />

<strong>the</strong>m."[26] This shows <strong>the</strong> bitter spirit which<br />

prevailed in some quarters toward <strong>the</strong> <strong>Sabbath</strong>,<br />

even as early as Justin's time. Justin has no word <strong>of</strong><br />

condemnation for <strong>the</strong>se intolerant pr<strong>of</strong>essors; he is<br />

only solicitous lest those persons who perform "<strong>the</strong><br />

eternal <strong>and</strong> natural acts <strong>of</strong> righteousness <strong>and</strong> piety"<br />

should condemn those who do not perform <strong>the</strong>m.<br />

Clement <strong>of</strong> Alex<strong>and</strong>ria, though a mystical<br />

writer, bears an important testimony to <strong>the</strong><br />

perpetuity <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> ancient <strong>Sabbath</strong>, <strong>and</strong> to man's<br />

present need <strong>the</strong>re<strong>of</strong>. He comments thus on <strong>the</strong><br />

fourth comm<strong>and</strong>ment:--<br />

"And <strong>the</strong> fourth word is that which intimates<br />

541

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!