More about Old and New Style.
By John Nevins Andrews
Since writing the article on this question, which appeared in No. 4, present volume, Bro. J. H. Waggoner has called my attention to two facts worthy of notice. They are sufficient of themselves to silence every cavil. Let it be borne in mind that the objection that is here raised against our view of the Sabbath, is, that in consequence of the change from Old to New Style, there was such a "loss of time," or disarrangement of dates, that it is now impossible to determine with any certainty the right day of the week for the Sabbath. This objection—if it may be called an objection—vanishes at once in the light of the facts which I now present. 1. In Hill's perpetual or Scientific Calendar, which I have before me, in which is shown the day of the week of any given date for twenty centuries after Christ, in both Old and New Style, we find in the explanatory remarks the following words: "For instance, Washington was born Feb. 11, Old Style, or Feb. 22, New Style, 1732. It being a leap year, the Dominical letter for February, Old Style, was B, and for New Style, it was F. The table being entered with the former letter, shows the 11th to be Friday, and being entered with the latter, shows the 22d to be on the same day of the week." Of course the same result is found in any other date, as any one can ascertain by referring to this ingenious Calendar. 2. The Russian empire never adopted the New Style, but still reckons by the Old Style. Consequently there is a discrepancy between them and other nations on the day of the month, but not on the day of the week. Now if the Russians count by Old Style, and the English by New Style, and yet all agree upon the days of the week, where is the difficulty? This was illustrated during the past year. A letter was written by our Consul at St. Petersburg, endorsed by C. M. Clay, our Minister to Russia, which was dated both in Old and New Style. Possibly our objectors will insist that this letter must therefore have been written on different days of the week! People should be careful how they urge their ignorance for argument.