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

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clergyman <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> church <strong>of</strong> Engl<strong>and</strong> some years<br />

since visited <strong>the</strong> British Empire in India, for <strong>the</strong><br />

purpose <strong>of</strong> acquainting himself with <strong>the</strong>se<br />

churches. He gave <strong>the</strong> following deeply interesting<br />

sketch <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se ancient Christians, <strong>and</strong> in it<br />

particularly marks <strong>the</strong>ir Sabbatarian character:--<br />

"The history <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Armenian church is very<br />

interesting. Of all <strong>the</strong> Christians in Central Asia,<br />

<strong>the</strong>y have preserved <strong>the</strong>mselves most free from<br />

Mahometan <strong>and</strong> papal corruptions. The pope<br />

assailed <strong>the</strong>m for a time with great violence, but<br />

with little effect. The churches in lesser Armenia<br />

indeed consented to an union, which did not long<br />

continue; but those in Persian Armenia maintained<br />

<strong>the</strong>ir independence; <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong>y retain <strong>the</strong>ir ancient<br />

Scriptures, doctrines, <strong>and</strong> worship, to this day. 'It is<br />

marvelous,' says an intelligent traveler who was<br />

much among <strong>the</strong>m, 'how <strong>the</strong> Armenian Christians<br />

have preserved <strong>the</strong>ir faith, equally against <strong>the</strong><br />

vexatious oppression <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Mahometans, <strong>the</strong>ir<br />

sovereigns, <strong>and</strong> against <strong>the</strong> persuasions <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

Romish church which for more than two centuries<br />

has endeavored, by missionaries, priests <strong>and</strong><br />

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