Sabbath Law in Iowa by P. W. Baker

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 31, 1870

Sabbath Law in Iowa

By P. W. Baker

From Bro. Baker.

DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: As I read through the REVIEW what the Lord is doing for his people in leading them on in the strait and narrow way that leads to life, and how others are embracing the present truth by perusal of those silent messengers, the tracts, it makes my heart rejoice, and I feel to thank God that he ever opened my eyes to the truth. Oh, how strait the way to life! I want to be an overcomer. I see that I have a great work to do to be prepared for the soon coming of our blessed Saviour to gather his saints home. I believe we are near the end; that our trials, if we are faithful, will soon be over. Hold on a little longer brethren and the great Deliverer will come; for he has promised in his word to come again; and our Saviour says, Heaven and earth shall pass away but my word shall not pass away. We see the signs fast fulfilling. My eye has just caught sight of an article in the Jasper Bulletin which I will copy that you may see what feeling prevails in this section. It is as follows:

“As a warning for the benefit of certain persons who are in the habit of disturbing the quiet of our little city on the Sabbath day we quote below the law:

“Be it enacted by the general Assembly of the State of Iowa that if any person be found on the first day of the week, commonly called Sabbath, engaging in any riot, fighting, or offering to fight, or hunting, shooting, carrying fire arms, fishing, horse racing, dancing, or in any way or manner disturbing any worshiping assembly, or private family, or buying or in selling property of any kind, or in labor, he is subject to a fine and imprisonment.”

There are only two families of Sabbath-keepers here. Could not some messenger come this way. May the Lord speed the time when the great salvation shall be wrought.

Yours in hope of the kingdom. P. W. BAKER.

NOTE. We do not know that the above was inserted in the Bulletin in reference to Sabbath-keepers. But we would here take occasion to say that we think Sabbath-keepers should be particularly careful not to do anything which could be construed into disturbance by their Sunday-keeping neighbors. Nothing is lost in respecting the feelings and opinions of those around us, so far as we can do so without compromising the truth or our profession of it. Of course, if an unfriendly feeling exists in the community, it will be almost impossible to avoid the charge of wilfully disturbing and annoying them. But if a person is conscious of perfect innocence in this respect, and then takes the accusations patiently, this, according to Peter, will be “acceptable with God.”—Ed.