Loyalty to the Sabbath

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Nov 1, 1906

Loyalty to the Sabbath

THE following is a portion of a letter dated Sept. 11, 1906, which the Sabbath-School Department has just received from Hamburg, Germany. The letter is a forecast of what it may cost others who will prove loyal to the truth in these last days. May the unyielding principle for right, on the part of this young man, be followed by all when they are brought into trying places for their faith. The extract follows:—

“We have a report before us of a German brother, a young man, who has been in the military prison about four months, all told, in Bavaria, where we enjoy so little toleration, and the government has so often fined our people for the harmless act of attending worship, as God has commanded us to do.

“The young man entered the cavalry department of the service, Oct. 5, 1905. As he had settled it in his heart beforehand that he would be true to God, and not trespass upon the Sabbath, difficulties began. At first he called the attention of the sergeant to his conscientious regard for the law of God, and the following Sabbath he was allowed to be off duty, for the sergeant had taken the matter to the lieutenant, who granted this favor.

“But the lieutenant sent the army chaplain to reason with our brother. The chaplain granted that, according to the Scriptures, the young man was right, but he said that in the military service one could not have regard for religion, but, so far as he was concerned, he could not advise him to serve on the Sabbath, if it was contrary to his convictions.

“The colonel was the next man who had to give his attention to the matter. The brother writes:—

“He said that he respected my religious convictions, but could make no difference because of religious scruples. Then the army physician examined me, and declared me to be sound in body and in mind, and then I was condemned to fourteen days’ arrest, but this was postponed, as they wanted the matter to be brought before the military court; but this fell through, and I was again brought before the colonel, who advised me to serve on the Sabbath. But as I refused because of my convictions, I was imprisoned.

“Later, I was brought before a member of the court martial, and had the privilege of witnessing for the truth there. The man seemed very much astonished that there were in these days young men who would remain true to their religion; for his part, he would not do such a foolish thing, would rather serve as requested, and avoid all danger that disobedience might bring. I was then brought before still two other members of the court martial, and released from imprisonment.

“At that time a brother was able to speak to the member of the court martial before whom I had been called, and it was seen that the member of the court martial was quite well acquainted with the Bible. Our brethren also appealed to the general as well as to the chaplain, and I had a number of Sabbaths free.

“Later the sergeant read me the conclusion of the minister of war, in which I was denied the Sabbath free any longer, and he strongly urged me to serve. But I remained true to my convictions. I was again brought to the colonel, and also to the captain of horse, both of whom gave me the same advise I had had before. But as I could not give any other answer to them than I had given to the others, I was again put under arrest. The court martial condemned me to forty-three days’ imprisonment. The time being past, I was again brought back to the troops, and the colonel rejoiced that I was still well. After this every Friday evening I had to report to the ward, where I received Sabbath free.

“After a time I was again sent to join the troops, and commanded to serve on the Sabbath. I refused, and was sent to the court martial, but as that was omitted, I was sent to Munich in the garrison hospital, to be observed. The physician in charge said that I had not had my mind weakened by the imprisonment, but that my nerves were very weak, and I was in danger of hysteria, and could also easily contract typhus or consumption. He said I would become hysterical if I should have to serve on Sabbath, and if I could not get Sabbath free, he would regard me as unfit for service. But because I was still normal in body and mind, I was once more tried by the court martial, condemned to two months’ imprisonment, and then later dismissed as unfit for service.”

“Imprisonment in the army here is not very pleasant. They have bread to eat, and water to drink. The army prison is a dark place, so that the sunlight does not get in. It is solitary confinement. But we are glad there are to-day God-fearing young men who will be just as true as Daniel and his fellows were, when they were tried at the court of Babylon. Again, these high military officers do not visit our meetings. They learn, however, of the law of God and the third angel’s message through the faithful witness of these young men.”

K. C. RUSSELL.