p. 104 | The Discussion at Portland, Me

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Feb 27, 1866

The Discussion at Portland, Me.

By Uriah Smith, George W. Amadon, J. M. Aldrich

We find the following in the World's Crisis of Feb. 14, 1866.

"My discussion with Eld. M. E. Cornell on the Sabbath question, has led me to delay the publication of my book on this subject, until I could enjoy the benefit of the criticism of the opposition against my views, as would be brought out in that debate at P., and also by the report as given by the opposition through their paper. As this report was concluded last week, I am now prepared to say that my opponents have failed to meet my arguments in favor of a change of days for the Sabbath, from the seventh to the first day of the week.

"I am highly pleased with the results of this discussion. Those who heard it and have read the report as given in the opposition paper, will be compelled, we think, to say that the description of the debate as given through their oracle is not the "fairest thing in the world." But all things, thus far, only encourage me to publish my promised work on the Sabbath question, as soon as circumstances will admit.

CHALLENGE.

"In the Review and Herald, of Jan. 30, 1866, in referring to J. N. Andrews' History of the Sabbath, the writer says:

''The door is now open for them to test this matter, if they dare step in and risk their cause in fair open encounter.'

"To this challenge I reply that I am ready, and 'dare step in and risk' an 'open encounter' with any man in their ranks qualified to defend 'their cause,' in testing the merits of J. N. Andrews' History, or any other point connected with their theory of the seventh-day Sabbath, either in oral or written discussion, as soon as arrangements can be agreed upon.

"Will they 'dare' do it? Will they 'risk their cause' in this manner? We shall see. They may try to shield themselves from this issue, by saying they will not debate this question with me unless the World's Crisis will also publish the discussion. But I am disposed to 'dare' them to 'risk their cause' in an 'open encounter' through the columns of this paper. But it is quite doubtful whether they will 'dare' to run such a 'risk' as this. But we shall see what we shall see.

"T. M. PREBLE.

"East Weare, N. H., Feb. 5, 1866."

Acting for the other members of the Gen. Conf. Committee, we would designate Eld. J. N. Andrews, as the one to conduct this discussion in behalf of Seventh-day Adventists. And he is hereby instructed to make such arrangements with Eld. P. and the Crisis, as shall bring the matter to an early issue.