A Disabled Soldier Keeps the Sabbath
By C. T. Havens
BRO. C. T. HAVENS writes from Soldiers' Home, Knightstown, Ind.: About a year ago I embraced the Advent faith, as did also most of my mother's family, for which “heresy” we were expelled from the Missionary Baptist Church. I came here last September, being a disabled soldier, for the purpose of going to school. While visiting some friends near Sulphur Springs, Henry Co., I heard preaching on the Sabbath question, which led me to investigate the subject, and as all must do who have an earnest desire to know the truth, and to keep God's commandments, finding such abundant proof of the perpetuity of the holy Sabbath of the Lord in revelation, and this confirmed rather than annulled by apostolic example, I embraced the Sabbath. Since then I have realized more than ever before the import of our Saviour's declaration, “Except a man deny himself, take up his cross and follow me, he cannot be my disciple.” I keep the Sabbath alone, according to the commandment, as nearly as possible, and am regarded, by my comrades and the officers, who very kindly excuse me from duty on that day, and will not allow me to work on Sunday, as an old case, fanatic, &c. I am thankful for the light of truth that I enjoy; and in striving to do God's will, I feel that I am blessed. Notwithstanding ridicule and persecution, which all sincere lovers of truth must suffer, I experience more true enjoyment in religion than ever before; for as I have a more intelligent understanding of Christian duty in rendering obedience to God's holy law, my title seems more clear “to mansions in the skies.” God's grace assisting me, I hope to be one among that happy number who, having kept the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus, shall have a right to the tree of life, and enter in through the gates into the glorious city of our God, at whose right hand is fullness of joy forevermore. Oh! how cheering the prospect! how transporting the hope of endless bliss! And it grows brighter while persecution rages, and earthly cares and sorrows thicken around us; for we know that our Deliverer is near. May God, in his infinite mercy, guide us in the straight and narrow way that leadeth unto life eternal, and save us in his everlasting kingdom.