SABBATH OBSERVANCE

Southland Times, Issue 20618, 17 October 1928, Page 9

SABBATH OBSERVANCE

MR PASCOE’S REPLIES. To the Editor. Sir, —Mr Sampson says: “But for scholarship we should have no Bible.” I was always under the impression that we were indebted to God for this sacred treasure! Paul says: “All scripture is given (not by scholarship) but by inspiration of God.” 11. Tim. 3: 16 Peter declares: “Holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” 11. Peter 1: 20 (not moved by scholarship). At the same time the Scriptures by no means belittle the value of true education, but do warn us against science, falsely socalled, and tell us that men would endeavour to wrest the Scriptures Ps. 56: 5 cf. 11. Peter 3: 16. All true science is in harmony with the word and has its rightful place. We are quite familiar with the history of the Scriptures and knowing how carefully the work of translation was conducted by competent men —familiar with the language—and also being acquainted with the many infallible proofs of their authenticity, I maintain they are quite a sufficient and safe guide of conduct for the child of God. Therefore in dealing with the simple question before us, “Which Day,” our standard versions should be sufficient authority. I am quite well aware that Mr Sampson will require some source outside the Bible to support his claim for “First Day Sacredness.” It cannot be found in either Old or New Testaments. Evidently he is aware of this for he consistently seeks to avoid the presentation of his case. 81. I have stated my understandings of the meaning of the term “fundamentalist.” I have no intention of discussing it further. Regarding the latter part of this question, it is out of order as well as false. 82. I believe the earth took the same time to revolve on the first day as on the fifth or any succeeding day in the week of Creation, and it is the revolution of the earth that makes the day. The same terms are used to describe each day throughout the creation story ; viz., “The evening and the morning,” see Gen. 1: verses 5,8, 13, 19, 23, 31. Thus it is demonstrated that although God appointed the sun to rule the days, yet it is possible to recognize the definite day without the sun being visible. The Creator had said, “let there be light and there was light.” Gen 1: 3. We are not definitely informed what was the nature of this light prior to the creation of the sun; suffice it is to say, God says there was light. He said it was a good light, and was divided from the darkness—verse 4. 83. As previously stated, the sun was given to rule the day, not to make it. The day begins at Even Lev. 23: 32, which all know is not midnight. Setting the commencement of the day at midnight was not God's but man’s plan. Without modern inventions and appliances the Polar regions are uninhabitable. With the advent of these, it is possible to live, at least temporarily, in these parts. It is a simple matter by the use of instruments to determine definitely when the sun sets at any chosen locality, and to calculate from such spot. Chronometers are set by the heavenly bodies. If our timepieces were all out of repair the correct time can be ascertained by these heavenly bodies. These points have all been clearly stated. Therefore there is no occasion to waste time with hair-splitting questions along these lines.—l am, etc.. J. PASCOE.