too summarily, and therefore not satisfactorily, but points of the case which, after all, are the strong Those points are, on the part of our opponents. first, their argument to prove that the Sabbath was originally instituted in the wilderness; and, second, our argument to prove a divine warrant for the change of the day. To make the truth on these points clear, has been a leading design in the ensuing discussion. The Argument, such as it is, is now given to the public, in the hope that it may help to satisfy the inquiring, to relieve the doubting, to decide the wavering, to confirm the weak, and to promote in all a more intelligent and better observance of the LORD's Day. THE AUTHOR. Boston, Feb. 12, 1841. PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION. THE Copyright of this work is now in the hands of a benevolent association, that proposes to give it a general circulation, and will devote the net avails of its sale to the promotion of the Sabbath cause. In preparing the work for a second edition, it has been thought best to add something to the original argument. The result is the addition of Parts III. and IV., on the mode and advantages of observing the Sabbath. It will be seen that Part III. is a mere statement of general principles, and Part IV. a mere collection of testimony. This is all that was deemed necessary on the respective topics, in addition to what is said incidentally in the argument itself. The "Argument for the Perpetuity of the Sabbath," in Parts I. and II., remains the same as in the first edition. If the author does not misjudge, 1 the reader will find in Part IV. a testimony for the Sabbath which no candid mind can resist. It is God's testimony, written in the actual experience of man of man in every walk and avocation of life. It is the God of providence engraving, by the finger of his power, on the tablet of human experience, the same high mandate, which, as the God of revelation, he once engraved on the tablet of stone"Remember the Sabbath-day to keep it holy." That the circulation of this work may help to give utterance to this testimony, and to promote in all a better observance of God's holy day, is the fervent desire of Boston, April 18, 1842. THE AUTHOR. |