Dunn Co., Wis., Nov. 18, 1867
13%Page 395
Dunn Co., Wis., Nov. 18, 1867
BRO. SMITH: It has been nine years since I commenced to keep the Sabbath. I have had but few privileges, being isolated from brethren of like precious faith. I have always been a firm believer on all points of present truth. I must confess that my life has not always been of that meek and humble character that should characterize a follower of the dear Saviour. I think that I can say that I am growing in grace and in a knowledge of the truth. Eld. J. M. Stephenson visited this place not long since and gave a course of lectures, preaching once against the Law and Sabbath. This was the first discourse I ever heard against the Sabbath. I was surprised to see a man of his reputed ability so blind. He made a number of false and contradictory statements, saying that angels spoke and wrote the ten commandments, and that God in the original was Elohim, which was translated angel. Please give me a true criticism on this word through the Review. Dunn Co., Wis., Nov. 18, 1867
REMARKS. Mr. S. is in error in asserting that the word Elohim is ever translated angel. This word occurs in the Old Testament over twenty-four hundred times, and is uniformly rendered God and gods, with the exception of five instances, where it is rendered judges. He would probably attempt to defend his position on the ground that, although this term is never translated angel, yet it is sometimes applied to a being who is in other places called an angel, as in Jud. xiii, 21, 22; Hos. xii, 4; Acts vii, 38. But a reference to such passages will show that they apply only to cases of personal communication and visible presence, which exhibitions, the great God, whom no man could look upon and live, entrusted to his Angel, upon whom he placed his name and whom he ordained to be his representative. There is not the least ground for supposing that it was any other being than the great God who spoke and wrote the ten commandments.—ED. SISTER C. W. BISBEE, writes from Deerfield, Mich: I am trying to serve the Lord to the best of my ability, but I am a frail being and have many things to contend with; still, I do not give up nor despair, for I mean, through the grace of a kind Heavenly Father, to go through to the kingdom. Pray for me that I may outride the storms of affliction, and meet you all on Mount Zion, and be forever with the Lord.