Suggestive Correspondence by Editor

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Nov 12, 1908

Suggestive Correspondence

By Editor

In the recent issues of the Sabbath Recorder (Seventh-day Baptist) considerable space has been devoted to contributed articles relating to the belief and work of the Seventh-day Adventists. The first letter, signed, “Anti-Adventist,” gave the statistics concerning the rapid growth of this denomination, and then sought for the reason. From the latter part of his letter we quote:—

The question arises, Why is it that this body of believers have so far outstripped the Seventh-day Baptists, that the latter appear very insignificant, as to numbers, the extent of their publications, missionary work, and financial ability. . . . It must lie in the fact of their peculiar views in regard to the second coming of Christ and his final reign on earth, and their unbounded zeal and enthusiasm in the propagation of this doctrine, and their self-sacrificing devotion to its extension and final triumph. . . . It is quite evident that the doctrine of the second coming of Christ and its attendant doctrines have enough of the spectacular and illusory (or we should rather say delusory) qualities in them to win the admiration and support of its many misguided followers.

To this communication another Seventh-day Baptist replied in a later issue of the Recorder, and after referring to the “wonderful array of statistics concerning the work and growth of the Seventh-day Baptists,” and stating that “every one of these converts to the Sabbath is required to come up to a high moral standard in other respects,” he asks:—

Is this hope of the second coming of Christ “a delusion,” and are those “misguided” who are called out from the sins and follies of the world through cherishing it?

In reply to his own question this correspondent makes a convincing argument from the Scriptures to establish the advent doctrine, and asks whether Seventh-day Baptists may not be missing their opportunity “by rejecting this doctrine.”

This correspondence has drawn out from another writer an article with the title “Anti-Adventists and Seventh-day Adventists,” which occupies more than two pages in the last issue of the Recorder. This contributor rebukes those of his own denomination who use slighting or slurring language in their description of the belief and work of the Seventh-day Adventists, and declares:—

I have been much among the Adventists, and have read a great deal of their literature, yet I have never met with one derogatory word against the Baptists, rather the opposite.

This writer then makes a vigorous argument in behalf of the claim of the Adventists that they have a special message for this generation. We quote briefly:—

The Adventists believe sincerely that they have a special or present truth for our day, and they propagate it with all the zeal and enthusiasm they can muster; and, indeed, if they are not right in this, I am yet to be informed. But they can not properly preach that doctrine without preaching the gospel of salvation and a return to the Sabbath and commandments. This is all one present truth; hence their success.

I find that, in distributing literature, the Adventist literature produces more effect than our own, and it is on this account. Now is it wise for us as a denomination to shut our eyes to these things? Had we not better humbly and without bias search the Scriptures and see if the doctrines of the second coming of Christ are delusory or real, and if real, formulate a doctrine or message to be given to the world with all possible haste?

In closing his article, this writer inquires:—

If there is such a truth for this present time as the second coming of Christ, which will arouse people from their dead carelessness and indifference, shall we not find it and proclaim it with all possible “zeal and enthusiasm”?

This correspondence suggests several conclusions which we think it will not be necessary to point out to our readers. It certainly justifies this people in the work which they are doing, and raises an important question for the consideration of the Seventh-day Baptists.