Untitled article by ADOLPHUS SMITH

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Third-day, February 4, 1868

FromAdvent Review and Sabbath Herald, Vol. XXXI, No. 8

PATENT RIGHT SCHEMES.

By ADOLPHUS SMITH

A SHORT time since I was very strangely drawn into purchasing a patent right. In a worldly point of view my purchase was, no doubt, a wise one; but in view of the fact that by profession I am a child of God under the "third angel's message," it was, no doubt, wrong; and it only remained for me to cheerfully suffer the loss of the purchase money, and write a note of warning to my brethren abroad, lest many of them also be tempted to engage in like precarious business, and thus make shipwreck of faith, and stumble and fall to rise no more.

Generally those who engage in the patent right business, do so with the expectation of making money easier and faster than by the slow process of patient toil. Some of you may desire to travel with patent rights, that you may thus have an opportunity to distribute our society's publications, and to converse with people on present truth, and at the same time earn money to support your families; but how would it look to offer the "Balm of Gilead" and your patent wares together. Better devote a day or two occasionally to exclusive work in the Lord's vineyard. Then you will enjoy the approving smile of Heaven.

People in this nineteenth century have become so accustomed to being bored, that if you make a plain and truthful statement of the merits of your wares, they will not believe you.

When we are tempted to engage in such business it would be well,

1. To require time in which to consult God in humble secret prayer. But such time will not be granted willingly by the patentee; for well he knows the importance of pressing his suit; representing that others are waiting and anxious to seize the golden (?) opportunity, &c. But insist upon your privilege, or bid him adieu.

2. To consult your families, and your brethren, for they, not being blinded by the glittering bauble, would be qualified to give you sober counsel; you should also consult the "Testimonies to the Church," which reveal the hidden influences of such speculations.

I would not deprecate useful inventions. The fleet, majestic steamer, the swift-speeding locomotive, the magnetic telegraph, all assist to bear the glad tidings of salvation to many people; the art of printing stands even at the head of these wonderful agencies, in disseminating the true principles of Christianity; and all these and many others are the products of inventive genius. It would, no doubt, be proper for the tradesman or merchant to offer for sale at his place of business, useful patent wares. But for one who professes present truth, and is possessed of strength to labor, the practice of peddling patent wares from house to house is quite objectionable.

Let us for a moment consider where in the world's history we stand. We all acknowledge that we are living in the very toes of Nebuchadnezzar's image—in the waning power of the head of the beast that was wounded unto death, but whose deadly wound was healed. The ten toes of the image are hating the whore, and making her desolate. But the beast is to be taken alive and cast into the lake of fire, at the coming of Christ; and as he is rapidly approaching dissolution, the coming of Christ must be near even at the doors.

The darkening of the sun and moon, and the falling of the stars, are among the things that were. The ending of prophetic time is already more than twenty-three years in the past. The first and second angel's messages have been proclaimed, and now the third and last message, bearing upon its front the Sabbath of the Lord, is about to be clothed with majesty, and complete the mighty work of preparing a people to receive the seal of the living God. And shall we, dear brethren, while our High Priest is performing the work of atonement in the holy of holies in the temple of Heaven, engage in any pursuit or calling that would for a moment darken our moral vision, or estrange our hearts from the dear Saviour? Should we not like ancient Israel continue instant in prayer without, while our High Priest is pleading for us before the mercy seat. Oh! let us pray! pray with the Spirit, or we shall have no part in that incense that arises from the censer of our High Priest, a sweet-smelling savor before God. Soon the pleadings of God's dear son, and his incense offering will prevail, and the Laodicean church receive the latter rain in all its fullness. Happy those whose preparation of heart will fit them to take up and prolong the loud cry.

ADOLPHUS SMITH.

Blendon, Ottawa Co., Mich.