Show observance OF FESTIVALS in a recent number of opinion appears an article con condon 61 from rom bibliotheca sacra in which the tb author discusses the question whether christian denominations ought not more generally observe the annually recurring festivals festival dedicated to to 00 memory of the important evette io in att life of our savior the contends contend for the reinstatement of the so called church year on the ground that abat ompha emphasizes sizes the essential idea of h church oh u rob as an institution separated from the world with a life a history and ordinances of it its 0 own W 13 Is IE also 1 l points out that the christian festival present religious truth in a complete form the incarnation the humiller tion fiodi the sufferings and death I 1 libe resurrection ascension and alsola life of jesus of nazareth and gives give the observer now new inspiration now power by placing the she present in tonch with wilb the past there can be no doubt that the custom of observing the great annual festivals originated in deep affection for the crucified and resurrected saviour and that very early probably in the first apostolic age at least to some extent the precedent was given in the mosaic dispensation where abe creation the exodus of egypt the dy day of atonement ai aid d later other imper tent tant events were remembered bill aft dually by the people but as an ae tb older dispensation ceased its festival were discontinued among the christians and gave room for those of taft th now new covenant A As early as the first three centuries after christ the cycle of festivals lesti vals was fairly well completed it cannot be denied that during th later corruption of both faith and biose the fundamental idea was lost sight eight of and the festivals were maberto partake moro more and more of idolatry and paganism paga Mem the reformers recognized this ibid fact and endeavored to purge he church arm rm this thin foreign element emett el some of their heir followers follower discarded toe the observance altogether but lately the qu question has again risen why should not christian denominations set a day pan apart tot for the contemplation of the crucifixion crucifix iov ae e resurrection the as ae bonalon of their lord and the agitation may be in some ree peete oto useful one but of vastly greater importance la Is ati other quest question IOD how the christian churches in our day can obtain the power the divine blate the high authority conferred on the first followers oi 01 jesus through his life li death and resurrection in his touching farewell address to 10 kli hi diol plea plem before hla his departure beius told them that ae a result they have the divine spirit to guide them bem into all truth have the christian sects acts received this As a COL of his hia victory over nu min death and hades all power was given to go him film in heaven and on earth anu he del delet some borne of this power to belig ambassadors on earth it maul mao felted iciek ln in mighty works signs and wonderland the re alcue of from we power and dominion oi 01 the prince of aar dark knese nei are the leaders leaden of christian sects similarly endowed to io our age the fishermen fla hermen from the abe shores of Tib biberias erias were neither politician nor statesmen ameo they ne DO cult with ceremonies and flourishing el eloquence quence they drood oot not in scarlet and golu nad and bad net sho wealth of nations to draw OD OB for their support yet they noun oed the truth and kings trembled before their tb ir words word filled with we power of the resurrection of ef their mater they faced the world aid conquered victo victorians rions ten even in death lite I 1 big spirit that christians used need what whatever over stand land they may take on the be question of the he observance obBer Yance of sabbath Babba tb mid and holidays |