Death of Eld. J. N. Andrews.
By Editor
IN hope of receiving particulars respecting the death of Bro. Andrews, which occurred in Bale, Switzerland, Oct. 21, 1883, we did not give further notice of that event last week. Feeling assured that many of our readers are waiting with much anxiety, we will delay no longer, and give further particulars in the future if thought necessary. John Nevins Andrews was a native of Poland, Maine; born in 1829, and was 54 years of age when he died. At what time he embraced the Advent faith we cannot say, but it was when he was a mere youth, as he was but 15 when "the time" passed in 1844. His mind was early matured, and the Bible was his book of study from his boyhood. He not only loved the Advent truth, but he understood the reasons of the faith. After the time passed, he was among the first of those who saw the "Third Angel's Message" of Rev. 14, and that the commandments of God there brought to view pointed out the obligation of the Sabbath. He thus became early associated with Brother and Sister White, who were natives of the same State, and with Brother Bates, and was well considered one of "the pioneers in the cause." When we commenced the observance of the Sabbath in the winter of 1851-2, the first number of the Advent Review and Sabbath Herald which we saw contained part of an able article from his pen, being a review of a "no-Sabbath" writer. Having no knowledge of Bro. Andrews, we were much interested in the masterly manner in which he refuted the objections of that writer, and defended the truth. Our interest was increased when we learned that he was yet so young. We next saw a pamphlet from his pen entitled, "Thoughts on the Sabbath and the Law of God," which increased our regard for him as a thoughtful, judicious expositor of Scripture. Although we were associated with him as "Corresponding Editor" of the Review and Herald from the fall of 1855, we had not the pleasure of his acquaintance until more than two years afterward. Close association with him in labor led us to esteem him as highly as a man, as a personal friend, as we appreciated him as a writer. He was genial as a companion, eminently kind-hearted, courteous and respectful to all. As a preacher he was marked for earnestness and solemnity of deportment; and, both as a speaker and writer, always did full justice to the positions of opponents. He did very much toward developing the faith of the Seventh-day Adventists. His thoroughness in the investigation of all questions of Bible truth peculiarly fitted him to bring out the light of the prophecies, as well as of the Sabbath and law. His early labors on the subjects of the Sanctuary and the Messages of Rev. 14, as well as on other points, were of great service to the cause, and stand to-day as text-books on those doctrines. Time has not detracted from the value of those writings. He early commenced gathering materials for a "History of the Sabbath." This was the special work of his life. His conscientiousness prevented his taking any advantage of facts which were not generally known, and as a consequence his history bears the test of the closest criticism, being the most complete and trustworthy work of the kind in existence. That part of it devoted to the history of the first day of the week contains such exposures of popular errors as had never before been given on those subjects. In 1874 he was selected to go to Europe as a missionary, and he took up his residence in Switzerland. In 1876 he commenced the publication of a monthly paper in Bale, in the French language. Of this paper he had charge until his death. It was respected as an ably-conducted journal, and its influence was felt among the educated classes wherever the French language was read. In this work he was materially assisted by his two children, Charles and Mary. The latter died in Battle Creek, Mich., in November, 1878. His home life was marked by the most tender kindness to his family. He was married to Miss Angeline S. Stevens, in 1856. She died in 1872. He was always feeble after the death of his daughter, who died of consumption. His constant attendance upon her seemed to develop the disease in his system, and thenceforth he labored "in weariness and painfulness." His mother went to Switzerland in June last, and was therefore with him in his last sickness. This was a satisfaction to all his friends, as it was a comfort and consolation to him. We shall never forget the impressive manner in which he related to us, in one of our last interviews with him in 1878, his experience in a sickness through which he passed in Switzerland. In reviewing his life, not his greatest failures, his seasons of greatest indifference, or most manifest short-comings, but his most earnest efforts, and sermons, and prayers, seemed to be held up to his view in the light of the "first great commandment," to love God with all the heart; and they came so far short of this commandment that he was filled with sadness and confusion. "Only the blood of Jesus" was his trust. He sleeps in Jesus now. This rest from his labors we trust will be brief. Soon the Lord for whom he looked and waited will come to call him forth to enter the glorious rest which he is gone to prepare for his people. We pray that we may meet him there.