The Great Controversy The Great Controversy | Page 577
Still the absence of Scriptural authority for Sundaykeeping
occasioned no little embarrassment. The people questioned the right
of their teachers to set aside the positive declaration of Jehovah, “The
seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God,” in order to honor the
day of the sun. To supply the lack of Bible testimony, other expedients
were necessary. A zealous advocate of Sunday, who about the close
of the twelfth century visited the churches of England, was resisted by
faithful witnesses for the truth; and so fruitless were his efforts that he
departed from the country for a season and cast about him for some
means to enforce his teachings. When he returned, the lack was supplied,
and in his after labors he met with greater success. He brought with
him a roll purporting to be from God Himself, which contained the
needed command for Sunday observance, with awful threats to terrify
the disobedient. This precious document—as base a counterfeit as the
institution it supported—was said to have fallen from heaven and to have
been found in Jerusalem, upon the altar of St. Simeon, in Golgotha.
But, in fact, the pontifical palace at Rome was the source whence it
proceeded. Frauds and forgeries to advance the power and prosperity of
the church have in all ages been esteemed lawful by the papal hierarchy.
The roll forbade labor from the ninth hour, three o’clock, on Saturday
afternoon, till sunrise on Monday; and its authority was declared to
be confirmed by many miracles. It was reported that persons laboring
beyond the appointed hour were stricken with paralysis. A Miller who
attempted to grind his corn, saw, instead of flour, a torrent of blood come
forth, and the mill wheel stood still, notwithstanding the strong rush of
water. A woman who placed dough in the oven found it raw when taken
out, though the oven was very hot. Another who had dough prepared
for baking at the ninth hour, but determined to set it aside till Monday,
found, the next day, that it had been made into loaves and baked by
divine power. A man who baked bread after the ninth hour
576