TERTULLIAN was a prolific writer, and one not noted for consistency. He taught the abolition of the Sabbath (see _Against the Jews_, chapter iv.), and refers to the observance of Sunday without giving formal reasons therefor. But incidental references which he makes show how the Sunday, although it had then come to be called the “Lord’s Day,” still bore the heathen characteristics. Witness the following: “The Holy Spirit upbraids the Jews with their holy-days. ‘Your Sabbaths, and new moons, and ceremonies,’ says He, ‘My soul hateth.’ By us, to whom Sabbaths are strange, and the new moons and festivals formerly beloved by God, the _Saturnalia_ and _New-Year’s_ and _Midwinter’s_ festivals and _Matronalia_ are frequented--presents come and go--New-Year’s Gifts--games join their noise--banquets join their din! Oh, better fidelity of the nations to their own sect, which claims no solemnity of the Christians for itself! Not the Lord’s day, not Pentecost, even if they had known them, would they have shared with us; for they would not fear lest they would seem to be Christians. _We_ are not apprehensive least we seem to be _heathens_! If any indulgence is to be granted to the flesh, you have it. I will not say your own days, but more too; for to the _heathens_, each festive day occurs but once annually; _you_ have a festive day every eighth day. Call out the individual solemnities of the nations and set them out into a row, they will not be able to make up a Pentecost.”[174] Here we have the native character of the Sunday truly set forth; a day of “indulgence to the flesh.” Such was the legitimate, the unavoidable fruitage of this semi-pagan festivalism, a fruitage which poisoned the Church rapidly and almost fatally. It is enough to add under this head, that _no writer of the first three hundred years gives, or attempts to give_, a scriptural reason for observing Sunday. There are no such reasons to give. FOOTNOTES: [161] Matt. xxviii., 1-8; Mark xvi., 2; Luke xxiv., 1-3; John xx., 1. [162] Acts xx., 7. [163] 1 Cor. xvi., 2. [164] John xix., 23 and 26, and Rev. i., 10. [165] For discussion of the time of Christ’s resurrection, see _Biblical Teachings_, etc., by the writer. [166] The reader will find this question discussed in detail in “_Biblical Teachings Concerning the Sabbath and the Sunday_,” p. 26 ff. If that is not at hand, take your Bible and Concordance, and examine each passage in the New Testament where “Sabbath” occurs. _Cf._ also _Sabbath Commentary_, by Bailey. [167] For an examination of the writings, genuine and spurious, which are adduced in favor of Sunday observance, before the time of Justin Martyr, consult _A Critical History of the Sabbath and Sunday in the Christian Church_, by the writer, pp. 33-69. [168] Chap. lxvii. [169] _Sabbath: An Examination of the Six Texts_, p. 274 _seq._, London, 1849. [170] _Stromata_, book v., chap. xiv. [171] _Stromata_, book vii., chap. xii.