p. 242 | Appeal to the Public by Editor

Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Oakland, California · Jun 10, 1875

Appeal to the Public.

By Editor

We bring for the consideration of the people a very solemn and important message. It is very important if true; and of this every one must judge for himself when he has heard the proof. All we ask is a candid hearing and an impartial weighing of the evidence. Our motto is, "Hear, then judge!" But we do not expect or desire that our mere assertion shall be taken as proof. We ask no one to take our word. We come to you with an open Bible! and constantly inquire, "What saith the Scriptures?" Truth never shrinks from investigation.

We believe that the prophetic declaration of Daniel that in the time of the end "Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased," is now having its fulfillment. The signs of the times show us unmistakably that we are living in the "Time of the End." Hence we are to expect an increase of light and truth in these days.

Christians have long prayed the Lord to "Send by whom he would send," and now it becomes us to look for the answer to these many prayers.

When our Pilgrim fathers were in readiness for their departure from Leyden to this country in 1620, they kept a day of humiliation, fasting, and prayer. It was a most solemn and interesting occasion, and the devoted Robinson improved it in a most fitting manner, charging them to ever keep their minds open to conviction. We commend the following extract from his address, to all who may read this paper:—

"Brethren, we are now quickly to part from one another, and whether I may live to see you face to face on earth any more, the God of Heaven only knows; but whether the Lord hath appointed this or not, I charge you before God and his blessed angels, that you follow me no farther than you have seen me follow the Lord Jesus Christ. If God reveals anything to you by any other instrument, be as ready to receive it as ever you were to receive any truth by my ministry; for I am verily persuaded, I am very confident, that the Lord hath more truth yet to break forth out of his holy word. For my part, I cannot sufficiently bewail the condition of the reformed churches, who are come to a period in religion, and will go, at present, no farther than the instruments of their reformation. The Lutherans cannot be drawn to go beyond what Luther saw. Whatever part of his will our God revealed to Calvin, they would rather die than embrace; and the Calvinists, you see, stick fast where they were left by that great man of God, who yet saw not all things. This is a misery much to be lamented; for though they were burning and shining lights in their times, yet they penetrated not into the whole counsel of God; but were they now living, would be as willing to embrace farther light as that which they first received."