In view of these facts, the writer of the subjoined articles, while taking no particular interest in party politics, merely as such, nevertheless felt a profound conviction that the time had come, in the providence of God, when Christian men should offer a solemn protest against a state of affairs which, while ostensibly inaugurated in the interest of the kingdom of Christ, will ultimately prove most destructive of religious liberty. This, he therefore attempted to do, purely from the stand-point of the Bible. Through the courtesy of the editor of the _Christian Statesman_, which paper is the organ of the amendment party, the first seven of the following communications were permitted to appear in the columns of that periodical. Subsequently, the editor of that paper felt it incumbent upon him to take issue with what was thus published, and to answer the same in a series of editorial articles. To these again, the author of the original communications published a series of rejoinders, in defense of the positions assumed by him in the outset, and in controversion of those of the reviewer. These articles, the replies of the editor, and the rejoinders thereto, having been grouped together in the present volume, are offered to a candid public for serious consideration. The reader will readily perceive that the whole discussion turns upon the Sabbath question. Fortunately, also, he will discover that the ground covered in the debate by the respective disputants is that generally occupied by the classes of believers whom they represent. Leaving him, therefore, to decide for himself as to which of the views presented has the sanction of the divine mind, the writer of the present preface can do no more than to give expression to his earnest desire that the God of all truth will vouchsafe his Spirit for the illumination of every mind which comes to the consideration of this subject with an honest purpose to ascertain his will in the matter under consideration. W. H. L. _Allegan, Mich._ TABLE OF CONTENTS Article I. 5 Article II. 16 Article III. 28 Article IV. 36 Article V. 48 Article VI. 57 Article VII. 71 Explanatory Remarks. 86 Replies and Rejoiners. 87 Article I. 87 Rejoinder. 93 Article II. 107 Rejoinder. 116 Article III. 133 Rejoinder. 139 Article IV. 154 Rejoinder. 161 Article V. 177 Rejoinder. 182 Article VI. 202 Rejoinder. 207 Article VII. 225 Rejoinder. 231 Article VIII. 254 Rejoinder. 261 Article IX. 280 Rejoinder. 287 Article X. 313 Rejoinder. 321 Article XI. 351 Rejoinder. 355 Index of Points Discussed. 379 ARTICLE I.