Untitled article by Susan Elmer

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Third-day, January 21, 1868

IT MAKES NO DIFFERENCE.

By Susan Elmer

This is often said by people when the claims of the fourth command are urged upon them. I don't think, say they, it makes any difference which day we keep. Still, they are particular to keep the first day; and why? Because the masses keep it.

Some contend that the Sabbath has been abolished; others, that it has been changed from the seventh to the first day; others, that there is no Sabbath. Still, it comes to us from the lips of Jehovah, so plain that a child may understand it: “The seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God.”

Can we say it makes no difference whether we obey the Lord or not? Surely his law is not abolished; for we read that all his commandments are sure; “they stand fast forever and ever.” Ps. cxi. Again, we read concerning his testimonies, “I have known of old thou hast founded them forever.” What a pity so much time, paper, and ink, should be worse than wasted in order to prove that the seventh day is not the Sabbath. In vain do we seek for the abolition of a law when God has pronounced it unchangeable. It will not do to say that the first day is the Sabbath; for sin is the transgression of the law, and where there is no law there is no sin; and in vain do we search the Bible from beginning to end, for a command to keep it. We have abundant proof that Christ and his disciples kept the seventh day, as also Paul. We learn also in the last chapter of Isaiah, that it is to be kept in the new earth.

Still it is said, It makes no difference. Now, supposing a father on leaving home, should tell his son to do a certain piece of work; but instead, the son should, in spite of his father's command, do something altogether different. Would he receive the approbation of his father? And is the Almighty less particular? Should a man sow foul seed instead of wheat, and contend that it made no difference, would he not find that what a man soweth, that shall he also reap? We read that man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God; and is not the Sabbath a part of those words? Supposing Noah, after warning the Antediluvians faithfully to repent, for unless they did, the Lord would send a flood on the earth to destroy them all, should then turn around and tell them, But if you can't believe it, it makes no difference; would it therefore make none?

It makes no difference! Alas! look back and see what God's ancient people suffered on account of their disobedience. Nation is destroyed of nation, and kingdom after kingdom, to say nothing of the punishment of individuals. How careful we should be to keep the perfect law of God. In the great day of accounts, when called to answer for the deeds done in the body, we shall then realize the difference.

But list! what words are these, that fall so sweetly on the ear? It is the blessing falling from the lips of the great Lawgiver, pronounced on those who keep his commands: “Blessed shalt thou be when thou goest out, and when thou comest in. Blessed shall be thy basket and thy store.” Again, we listen to the words of our adorable Saviour in his closing benediction: “Blessed are they that keep his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and enter through the gates into the city.”

Dear Jesus, it is enough. Thou hast died to purchase for us this inestimable treasure. With hearts full of gratitude we would keep the commandments, that to the words, “Behold, I come quickly,” we may utter the glad response, “Even so, come, Lord Jesus.”

SUSAN ELMER.

Ashfield, Mass., Jan. 6, 1868.