p. 10 | Why the Sabbath Cannot Be Changed by F. N. Saterlee

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 7, 1916

Why the Sabbath Cannot Be Changed

By F. N. Saterlee

F. N. SATERLEE

A FACT cannot be changed, or altered. Now what is a fact? The word “fact” is taken from the Latin word factum, which means, a thing done, or made; retrospective. To illustrate: A man may build a house; that house may be destroyed by fire or storm, but that does not change the fact that that house was once built. A man may go to a certain place and immediately return, yet his returning does not change the fact that he went. A man may tell me something and then deny it, yet his denying it does not change the fact that he said it.

So the seventh day became the Sabbath; and how so? “In six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore [for this reason] the Lord blessed the Sabbath day, and hallowed it.” Ex. 20:11. The seventh day became the Sabbath after the Lord had rested upon it, and because he had rested upon it; therefore his command is to remember to keep it holy, that we may not forget, but keep in memory his creative works.

“God spake all these words, saying, I am the Lord thy God.” Ex. 20:1. Again he says, “My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips.” Ps. 89:34. God cannot deny himself. Of himself he declares: “I am the Lord, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.” Mal. 3:6.

The Declaration of Independence was signed on the fourth of July. Can that be changed to the third, or fifth, or to any other day?—No, never; for that is a fact,—a thing done, or made, which cannot be changed, or altered. No more can the Sabbath be changed from the seventh day to the first, or to any other day of the week.

Deansboro, N. Y.