A Veteran Fallen | AdventAI

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 16, 1872

A Veteran Fallen.

IN another column will be found the obituary notice of our venerable brother, Eld. Joseph Bates, who died in this city the 19th ult., in the eightieth year of his age. Of the life, character, and labors of this servant of God, who, though he had seen so many years, was, up to within a few weeks of his death, active in his chosen work as a minister of the gospel, it is not necessary for us here to speak. He has been so long and so extensively known among us, his Autobiography narrating many of the thrilling incidents of his long and adventurous life, has been read by so many, that his name and history are almost as familiar among us as household words.

But his life record is now closed. What a subject for study. Active in the earliest reforms agitated in this country against the evils of intemperance and slavery, adopting sound and correct principles, and governing his life rigidly thereby under all circumstances, following promptly wherever the light of truth should lead the way, at whatever cost or sacrifice, espousing every cause which he thought was right, however unpopular, embracing early the great doctrine of the second coming of Christ, and ready among the first to follow it out to its legitimate issue and crowning development under the third message, ever true, straight-forward, full of faith and hope and courage, he has left an example which all can study with pleasure, and imitate with profit.

He was the first to commence the observance of the Bible Sabbath understandingly in the light of prophecy. We cannot forbear quoting the following paragraph from Eld. A. H. Lewis’ Sabbath History touching his experience in this matter.

“Eld. Preble’s first article in behalf of the Sabbath, March, 1845, was the means of calling the attention of Eld. Joseph Bates to this important truth. He soon became convinced of its obligation, and at once began to observe it. He had acted quite a prominent part in the Advent movement of 1843–4, and now with self-sacrificing zeal he took hold of the despised Sabbath truth to set it before his fellow men. . . . The heavenly sanctuary began about this time to interest many Adventists, and especially Eld. Bates. He was one of the first to see that the central object of the heavenly sanctuary is the ark with the law of God. He also called attention to the proclamation of the third angel relative to God’s commandments. He girded on the armor to lay it down only when his work should be accomplished. He has been instrumental in leading many to the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, and few who have received the Sabbath from his teaching have apostatized from it.”

This prophecy has been fulfilled—he laid down his armor only when his work was done. Our churches will feel that truly a father in Israel has fallen. But the light of hope rests with a strong, unflickering ray upon his hallowed grave. If any man since the days of the heroic Paul could appropriately adopt his triumphant language, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith; henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord the righteous judge shall give me at that day,” it seems to me it is this faithful soldier in the cause of Christ. His warfare is over; but the glorious coronation day is, for him, next to come.

And as these veterans fall in the strife, let us all who remain, gird on our armor anew for the conflict, that when they shall come up to receive an eternal reward for their brief though lifelong service, we may behold and share with them their triumphant joy.