our transgressions. He beareth our sins on his shoulder, that he may find pardon for our

Service for the מוסף ליום כפור !iniquities

Day of Atonement.

Every Christian must acknowledge that there is much scriptural truth in this confession; see Isaiah, 53d chapter. Why, then, may not this saying of theirs, "that when the Messiah shall come," &c., be also TRUTH?

Although very much has been written by the Rabbies which is altogether inconsistent with God's holy will and word, nevertheless they have some truth, mixed up with a great deal of

error.

The Sabbath was strictly observed by our blessed Saviour, as we find it written in the 4th chapter of the Gospel by St. Luke, 16th verse. "And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up and as his custom was, he went into the synagogue ON THE SABBATH DAY, and stood up for to read." Again, Luke, chap. 4, ver. 31,-" And he came down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee, and TAUGHT THEM ON THE SABBATH DAYS." Again, chapter 6, ver. 6,-" And it came to pass also on another SABBATH, that he entered into the synagogue and taught." His example was followed by his apostles after his resurrection and ascen

sion. They taught the Jews the scriptures on their (Jews') Sabbath, in their synagogues, but they (the apostles) kept the first day of the week holy, and dedicated this day to the Lord. St. Paul, who was a learned Jewish Rabbi, and therefore well acquainted with the Talmud, no doubt well knew, also, what the Rabbies had stated in a P (Sabbath Ethic,) that "when the Messiah shall come, the Sabbath shall be changed." That Noah kept the first Sabbath, may very properly be inferred from his having sent the dove out of the ark, to see if the waters were abated from off the face of the ground. And he stayed yet other SEVEN DAYS,

&c., Genesis, chap. 8, ver. 10.

Thus I think I have fully proved my assertion, viz., that Sunday, and not Saturday, is the day on which "God rested from all his works," and therefore the day on which the Sabbath was first kept. As to the observance of it by Christians now, and in what way it ought to be kept, I intend to offer only a few remarks. I do not think any definite rule can

be recommended.

What some persons may think to be cases of necessity or charity, others may look upon as acts of supererogation, and as things which might be left undone on the Sabbath day.

my

mind that our blessed

It appears clear to Lord never laid down any specific rule how the day was to be observed, further than it was to be kept holy: this was imperative. Works connected with the sanctuary were lawful, under the law of Moses, as well as under the teaching of our Saviour. Matt., chapter 12, ver. 5,-"Have ye not read in the law, how that on the Sabbath days the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath, and are blameless? But I say unto you, that in this place is one greater than the temple. The Son of man is Lord even of the Sabbath day."

Works of mercy were lawful on the Sabbath. Matt. chap. 12, ver. 12, "How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the Sabbath days." Luke, chap. 13, ver. 16,-" And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, to be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath day?" This was said. after Jesus had healed the poor woman on the Sabbath. John, chap. 9, ver. 14,-“ And it was the Sabbath day when Jesus made the clay, and opened his eyes." Necessary wants were permitted to be supplied on the Sabbath. See Matt., chap. 12, ver. 1. Luke, chap. 13, ver. 15, chap. 14, ver. 1.

I think, therefore, that so far as the outward observance of this holy day is concerned, we must leave that entirely to the conscience of every God-fearing man, always bearing in mind these important words, "remember the Sabbath day to keep it HOLY." I have no hesitation in saying, that whatever benefit arises from religion, may be said generally to arise from the Sabbath. Without the Sabbath, religion could scarcely exist. It is the pillar which supports the temple of piety.

The assembling of ourselves together for holy worship, the preaching of the blessed gospel, and many other holy privileges, are connected with it. There can be no doubt but that thousands of our fellow-creatures would never have heard of the means of grace, or of the hope of glory, if it were not that this one day was set apart for holy worship. Wherever this day is properly observed, there we find a church-going people, all repairing to the house of prayer. In this sanctuary humble confession is made before God. There we pray for mercy, pardon, and peace, through the atoning merits of our Lord Jesus Christ; and there we meet to commemorate His dying love. There the balm of Christian consolation is poured into our wounds; our sorrows are soothed, and our hopes directed to

wards that heavenly home where "the inhabitants shall no more say, I am sick, and where sorrow and sighing will for ever flee away.” Are not all these things sufficient to recommend the Sabbath to every friend of mankind? But great as these benefits are, they are not to be compared with the sacred command given unto us, "Keep the Sabbath day holy."

I much fear that we too often lose sight of God's dealings, both with individuals and nations, for the neglecting and profaning this his holy command. That there is a great desire at the present day to keep our Sabbaths in the way in which they are kept in Popish and Infidel countries, cannot be denied. We must guard against every innovation; especially against that stir that is still making in England for setting aside the Sabbath day as only a secondary consideration. Let us not "provoke the Lord to anger" by our inconsistencies.

In proportion as mankind are enlightened, and the natural ignorance of their minds removed, they are responsible to their God. Admitting the truth of this principle, the sins of mankind in the present day must be awfully aggravated in the sight of a holy and heartsearching God. Perhaps the means of acquiring moral and religious knowledge were never more