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

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SEVENTH DAY, <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong>y have as many spires<br />

pointing to heaven among <strong>the</strong> Hindoos as we<br />

ourselves. Are such a people <strong>the</strong>n entitled to no<br />

acknowledgment on our part, as fellow Christians?<br />

Are <strong>the</strong>y forever to be ranked by us with Jews,<br />

Mahometans, <strong>and</strong> Hindoos?"[88]<br />

It has been said, however, that Buchanan might<br />

have intended Sunday by <strong>the</strong> term "seventh day."<br />

This is a very unreasonable interpretation <strong>of</strong> his<br />

words. Episcopalian clergymen are not accustomed<br />

to call Sunday <strong>the</strong> seventh day. We have, however,<br />

testimony which cannot with c<strong>and</strong>or be explained<br />

away. It is that <strong>of</strong> Purchas, written in <strong>the</strong><br />

seventeenth century. The author speaks <strong>of</strong> several<br />

sects <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> eastern Christian "continuing from<br />

ancient times," as Syrians, Jacobites, Nestorians,<br />

Maronites, <strong>and</strong> Armenians. Of <strong>the</strong> Syrians, or<br />

Surians, as he variously spells <strong>the</strong> name, who, from<br />

his relation, appear to be identical with <strong>the</strong><br />

Armenians, he says:--<br />

"They keep Saturday holy, nor esteem Saturday<br />

fast lawful but on Easter even. They have solemn<br />

748

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