That Tract “Elihu on the Sabbath” by John Norton Loughborough

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jan 4, 1912

That Tract “Elihu on the Sabbath”

By John Norton Loughborough

J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH

The reading of the tract “Elihu on the Sabbath” has probably led hundreds to the observance of the Lord’s Sabbath. I have heard it several times stated in the mention of this tract, “Author unknown.” I presume those who said it did not know the author, but if they will read the following, copied from the second page of the REVIEW of April 1, 1880, from the pen of our esteemed Brother Roswell F. Cottrell, they will learn the origin of the tract:—

“A Visit to Brother Elihu”

“I took a little pains recently to visit the brother who wrote the tract ‘Elihu on the Sabbath,’ which has been so extensively published within the last twenty-five years. He was ninety years of age in January last, and is still able to walk about quite nimbly. His article over the signature of Elihu was written a little this side of 1830, published in the organ of the Seventh-day Baptists, and then printed in tract form. One of these tracts was found in a house in Connecticut, and came into the hands of Brother White. From that time, numerous editions have been published in the English and other languages. Little did he think when he penned that article what the effect would be. He did not know that the little ball which he set in motion would roll on till the end of time, and tell in the judgment in the cases of so many.

“This may show us the importance of sowing the right kind of seed at all times. Though past the time of active labor, he is still speaking, as I said to him, not only in his own tongue, but in the German and other languages.

“He has some peculiar views that have become stereotyped with him, in which he does not agree with Seventh-day Baptists, nor with Seventh-day Adventists. He does not, and probably will not at his advanced age, recognize the fulfilment of the third angel’s message. He has come down to the present from former generations, and may be of the class to whom the Lord says, ‘I will put upon you none other burden. But that which ye have already hold fast till I come.’ Rev. 2: 24, 25. He used to take pleasure in the explication of those portions of Scripture which are figurative; such as Solomon’s Song. Some twenty-five years ago he suggested to me that ‘the company of two armies’ (chapter 6: 13) was Seventh-day Baptists and Seventh-day Adventists. His address is Benj. Clarke, Alden, Erie Co., N. Y.”

So this tells its own story of the origin of the tract “Elihu on the Sabbath.”

Lodi, Cal.