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Modern infidels, in this country and in Europe, have exhausted their resources in fruitless attempts to prove that the Sabbath was not made for man-for all mankind. It is not chiefly for this class, however, that this book is published, but for those who may be misled by their influence and their sophistry, who yet are willing to learn and to do their duty.

Had Newton, or Bacon, penetrated the lonely cell of Caspar Hauser, and labored to convince him that he had seen the bright luminary of day, the arguments would have been unavailing, as long as the wretched inmate of the prison had neither the inclination to hear, nor the knowledge necessary to understand and believe. So it is with infidels on this subject. Their eyes are closed against the light, their ears deaf to argument, and their consciences callous to conviction. They hear to scoff, read to reject, talk to differ, cavil to confound, and ward off to disbelieve. With such, is it not best and sufficient to take the law of the Sabbath, recorded in Ex. xx., and call on them to obey, considering it settled that this merciful and moral institution was established in Eden, and is necessary for all men, in every age of the world, and obligatory on them? The divine authority of the Scriptures is before them, urged by all the motives of self-interest, humanity, patriotism and gratitude; and if they continue to reject, they do it at their peril.

The opinions of others have often been introduced, in order to increase the weight and influence of the work: and although the subject is prolonged, it is presumed to be sufficiently diversified to secure the attention of those who care for the Sabbath. That the Lord of the Sabbath may, by this humble effort, greatly promote the observance of His day, is the sincere prayer AUTHOR.

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Cleveland, Ohio, 1840.

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