[The following extract from an article with the above heading, from the Wisconsin Home is forwarded to us by E. S. Sheffield, with his remarks upon the same, as contained in a note to the Editor of that paper.]
“The Ten Commandments form its true basis. They form a foundation broad and strong enough for all creation to rest upon with perfect safety. Yet how few do we find thereon. Over 600 flimsy platforms, or side issues, are propped up around it by as many different sects, and each one tries to get as many as possible on its own, to secure popularity; and declares hostility against all who do not give heed to its importunities. Who can wonder that so many fall and are lost, or that thousands turn away in disgust when the ridiculousness of the farce becomes apparent. Meanwhile, firm and ample stands the great REAL platform, ready to receive all who can over-ride their pre-conceived prejudices, and cast aside selfishness, bigotry and superstition.”
TO THE EDITOR OF THE “WISCONSIN HOME”
Mr. Editor, Sir:
HAVING seen some of your articles relating to your position, I have read them with interest, and am glad to find some who are willing to own that the ten commandments are the only true basis of Religion, the foundation laid by the great Author of our existence, and this great platform still stands firm, ready to receive all who can over-ride their pre-conceived prejudices, and cast aside selfishness, bigotry and superstition—broad enough for all creation to rest upon with perfect safety. This I firmly believe to be truth; says the wise man, Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. But as you say, how few do we find thereon. The Bible represents them as a remnant: “And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the faith of Jesus Christ.” Rev. xii, 17. You say over 600 flimsy143platforms are propped up, by as many different sects. Revelation says, Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast; for it is the number of a man, and his number is six hundred three-score and six.” Rev. xiii, 18. I understand this man to be the man of sin, who should think to change times and laws. These times and laws, I believe to be the times and laws instituted by God. Roman time, or the day, begins at midnight: God's time, or day, begins in the evening. Roman and Papal tradition says, The first day of the week is the Sabbath, the memorial of Redemption: God's word says, The seventh day is the Sabbath, the memorial of Creation—For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore (or for this reason) the Lord blessed the Sabbath day, and hallowed it. I know not but you observe the Sabbath according to the commandment, if you do not, you do not stand wholly upon the firm and broad platform; namely, The Law of God; for he who shall offend in one point, is guilty of all: he is become a transgressor of the law. If we keep the Sabbath and break one of the other commandments, we are transgressors of the law, and the same if we keep all the rest and not the Sabbath. But perhaps you may say as many do in the present day, that you keep the Christian Sabbath; for the Jewish Sabbath was nailed to the cross. I answer that a Jewish or Christian Sabbath is not once named in the Bible; but the Sabbath was made for man, not one word is said about his being either a Jew or Christian, neither is there one word to be found between the lids of the Bible about the blessing's being transferred from the seventh to the first day of the week, or about keeping the Sabbath to remember the work of redemption, but it always reads, For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, and rested on the seventh.