80 OBLIGATION OF THE SABBATH. 



A surrender promi?ed. 



merely prove that my friend errs in illustrious company, not 

 that he does not err. 



My friend grows truly eloqiient and witty withal, in wind- 

 ing np his argument, especially on the oft-cited words, 

 '^Sabbath days" and "holy days" in Col ii. 16, 17. I can 

 admire eloquence and wit, even when directed against myself ; 

 especially when so evidently the offspring of a genial heart, 

 and when at the time it seemed to him tohavesome foundation 

 in truth. But as in part ii. of my Reply, I so fully answered 

 the whole argument built on these words, and showed that his 

 construction is at war with the fundamental doctrine of Christ 

 as to the perpetuity of the Decalogue, it is unnecessary now to 

 say a single word more. If I have not made "the trifling 

 discovery of a Scri plural text half so explicit — half so unmis- 

 takable," on my side, "of either of the ^Six Propositions,' '^ 

 as that text is upon his, I have certainly no right to expect 

 him to be convinced. But if I have fairly met him at every 

 point, with pertinent text, and nccessary interpretation, and 

 historical fact, and logical reasoning, I may perhaps venture to 

 hope he will remember his '^promise" here, to "abandon the 

 whole argument u-ithout reserve.'' (p. 40.) The views I take 

 of human nature in general, even in that case, would hardly 

 lead me to anticipate such an unconditional surrender, without 

 the interfcrence of a Higher Power, whose hand is on the hid- 

 den places of the heart. 



To that Higher Power, I do indeed earnestly look on behalf 

 of my friend. And should so happy a result ensue from this 

 Discussion, I too here promise to the " Lord of the Sabbath," 

 that it shall be hailed by me with the lowliest self-abasement, 

 and with the warmest gratitude. No sweeter hope could cheer 

 me in my labor of love than this, " If he hear thee, tliou hasl 

 (jained thy hrothcrJ' 



My friend throws himself in the last resort into Rom. xiv. 

 1, 5, 6, as into a citadel of impregnable strength. But can- 

 didly. now ; what is Paul urging there ? Forbearance with 



