BRO. WHITE:—I rejoice with you to see the cause of truth advancing. It was over twenty-three years ago, about the beginning of 1851, that I received the Review and Herald as the first volume was published from Paris, Maine. The ideas set forth under the title, “Our Position,” brought some new things to view which, however, I thought deserved investigation. And after careful and prayerful investigation, I saw no reasonable and scriptural course for me to take, but to admit the truth of the position. Accordingly the decision was made—a decision I have never regretted.
The position taken in No. 11 of that volume, that the United States was the government symbolized in Revelation as the beast with two horns like a lamb, I fully believe, and as a consequence, I have believed and taught, with my brethren, that our “peerless Constitution” must necessarily be so revised as to nullify the clause that “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, nor prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” For twenty years this position has been “to the Greeks foolishness.” But now the fact of the National Association pressing their demand for the “religious amendment” of the Constitution, is arousing and alarming the Greeks, unbelievers, though still to the Jews professors, (at least many of them,) the truth though so evident is a stumbling block. But this is not specially the thing which I have to say. I rejoice at the progress of the cause of truth. The promised message which had so small and feeble a beginning, is assuming its position as a world-wide message. It is spreading over the world. And I hail with joy every advance movement; am glad that the press on the Pacific coast is employed in the work of the last message; and that the SIGNS OF THE TIMES is heralding forth the glad tidings of the everlasting gospel.
This work must go on. Soon I expect to know that an office of publication is established there, which will be controlled by those who keep the Sabbath of the Lord. The great work of the message is evidently at hand. Let all come up to the work, and keep pace with the providence of God. I have no greater desire nor higher aspiration, than that God will give me a humble part in his work. May the Lord give wisdom to guide, and energy and efficiency in the work, until probation shall close; and then, dear brother, may we partake together of the joys of endless life.