Untitled article by Elder R. F. Cottrell

Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Aug 25, 1881

FROM FAITH TO INFIDELITY.

By Elder R. F. Cottrell

BY ELDER R. F. COTTRELL.

THE descent from faith to infidelity is very commonly made by the following four steps:—

The day of the Sabbath has been changed.
The Sabbath has been abolished.
The ten commandments have been abolished.
The Bible is abolished, superseded, and is of no more value than a last year's almanac.

To leap at once from faith to infidelity would be fearful. But by the use of these four steps the descent is made easy, the distance from step to step being so small that a person walking in sleep (as most are) would not be awakened by the slight jar. The fourth step is no longer than the first; for the first is a denial of the truth of revelation.

The descent is perfectly natural too. To a person standing on the first step, it is much easier to descend the remaining three, than to climb up the one to the platform of truth. Wanting Bible evidence to sustain him where he is, he takes the second step. He finds it easier to say that the Sabbath is abolished than to prove that it has been changed. He now claims Bible testimony, for he finds the word "abolished" in the Bible. 2 Cor. 3. But the testimony says nothing of the Sabbath, only as it was one of the precepts "written and engraven on stones;" therefore he must take the third step, and say the ten commandments are abolished. This is but a short step; for if one of the ten is dead, why not all? And now, having plucked away the very heart and vitals of the Bible—its only moral code—and finding no evidence that any one of the commandments has ever been re-enacted, it is but a very little step from this to deny the Bible in toto.

Reader, are you standing upon the platform of truth? Have you faith in the word of God, believing it means what it says, and practicing in accordance with the same? If so, hold fast; for you are built upon the rock. But are you standing upon one of the steps below? let me entreat you, as one who loves you, to make a mighty effort, imploring help from God, to reach the platform above. It will require a mighty effort; for, though the distance from step to step is small, the platform is very high above them all. It can only be reached by "repentance towards God," whose holy law you have violated, and "faith towards our Lord Jesus Christ," through whom alone you can find pardon and acceptance. Do be persuaded to make the effort. The lions which you see in the way will vanish at your approach, while by faith you walk steadily forward.

And Oh, the prize! the rich reward! Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. Have faith in God! for this is the victory that overcometh the world, even your faith.