p. 188 | VISIT OF BRO. WHITE

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 12, 1879

VISIT OF BRO. WHITE.

We were happy, on the afternoon of June 4, to greet again Bro. and Sr. White, after their long absence from Battle Creek, and to see Bro. W. enjoying so good a degree of health and strength.

At the commencement of the Sabbath, June 6, he spoke to a large congregation in the tabernacle, on the sacredness of the Sabbath, and the importance of properly observing the beginning and ending of the sacred day. We should welcome it as a dear friend, as an honored and royal guest; and for its approach should make appropriate and ample preparation. Too many are careless and neglectful in this respect. The sixth day of the week is the day of preparation. On this day all provision should be made for the Sabbath that can be made beforehand, in the culinary department, in setting in order all things in our houses, and on our premises, and in proper care for our persons and apparel, leaving for the Sabbath only those acts of necessity or mercy which are inseparable from the day itself.

Preparation being thus made for the Sabbath, he further suggested that an appropriate practice would be, as the holy day is about beginning, to spend the twilight hour, commencing with the setting sun, in family worship; and likewise as the Sabbath is closing, let family worship begin at the setting of the sun, and extend to the period of darkness. Thus the Sabbatic period is guarded at either end, and is not, as in too many cases, a mutilated offering to the Lord.

Sabbath forenoon, Bro. W. spoke on the words of Christ in John 10:30: “I and my Father are one.” He showed the relation of Christ to the work of creation, of redemption, the two dispensations, the typical system, the law, the Sabbath, and the work of communicating truth on the prophecies to the church, through his angel, Gabriel, and the prophets. He opened an immense field of thought before the congregation, presenting many new points, and many old ones in a new light.

In the afternoon the church and college divisions were called together into the central auditorium, and Bro. W. continued the subject. A social meeting followed, in which as many as time permitted expressed their appreciation of the light received, and the good season enjoyed.

Sunday evening a temperance rally was held in the tabernacle, at which a large congregation was present. Bro. and Sr. W. addressed the assembly, and a good number of signatures were obtained to the teetotal pledge.

Another temperance meeting is to be held Wednesday evening; and Thursday Bro. and Sr. W. expect to leave for the Western camp-meetings.