To Correspondents

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 7, 1871

To Correspondents.

J. HACKET: Our Lord expressly says in Matt. 19 : 8, that some things were permitted under the Mosaic dispensation on account of the hardness of the hearts of the people. So in the scripture you refer to, Deut. 21 : 10–17, polygamy is recognized as existing under that dispensation; and the Lord, instead of deeming it best to abolish it in the then state of the world, and condition of

his people, simply put it under restrictions. It was never enjoined nor encouraged; and all the accounts we have of instances in which it was practiced, show that its effects were evil and only evil. In regard to the law given to Israel against marrying strangers, the prohibition seems to have applied only while these strangers retained their heathen worship and nationality. They might become proselytes to the Jewish religion and then marry among them, as in the case of Ruth the Moabitess, of whom was born Obed, the father of Jesse, the father of David. So you will notice in the case of the captives mentioned in verses 10–14, before a Jew was allowed to take one to wife, she must become a proselyte. This is signified by the fact that a month was given her to bewail her father and mother, signifying her entire and final separation from her idolatrous kindred; and then she was to shave her head and pare her nails, which were ceremonies to show that she had become a proselyte to the Jewish religion. Then she could be taken into their families, and treated in all respects as one of their nation. And to see how infinitely superior this was to the laws and customs then existing among other nations, we have only to look at the manner in which they treated their captives under similar circumstances. Though the Mosaic economy permitted some things not allowable under the gospel, yet, when viewed in comparison with the highest types of heathen excellence then existing, it was a marvel of mercy and morality.

W. SHIPPEE: When you understand our position better, you will not accuse us of basing our hopes of life on the keeping of the ten commandments. This is a mistake into which many fall from giving our views only a superficial examination. But until this much of our faith is understood, all time spent in examining points based on an entire misapprehension of what we believe, would be merely thrown away.

R. D. BENHAM: We have not seen the book you speak of, but should be glad to have a copy.

F. A. BUZZELL: We are pleased with your proposition.