A Faith That Needs No Apology by L. A. S.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jul 5, 1906

A Faith That Needs No Apology

By L. A. S.

We make no apology to the world for being Seventh-day Adventists. None is called for.

We make no apology for believing in and proclaiming the second advent of Christ. What doctrine occupies a more prominent place in the Scriptures than this? What event was prophesied of before this one? Who of the “holy men of old” through whom God spoke, prophesied before Enoch, “the seventh from Adam,” who spoke of the coming of Christ “with ten thousands of his saints,” and to execute judgment upon all,” as recorded in Jude 14, 15? So great, so important to all men is this event, that the shadow of its approach reached even to the days of Enoch. Hardly can the New Testament be opened without disclosing some scripture giving admonition, warning, comfort, or instruction with reference to this coming event. Why should we not, if we believe the Scriptures at all, believe and proclaim this great doctrine? Why are not all the Christian churches proclaiming it?

We make no apology for saying that the law of Jehovah has not been abolished nor changed. That is why we proclaim that the seventh day is the Sabbath. It is the Sabbath of God’s law. We hold to it because we hold to his law. Convince us that the law of God, that moral law which is the foundation of his government, has been changed, and we will abandon our ground. Let others cast upon us what stigma they please, or scoff at our position as they may, we point to the law of Jehovah in reply. We are not ashamed to be singled out from all the world as a people who honor that law and believe in its perfection and immutability. We stand for law, the highest law in existence, and we are willing all the world should know it.

We make no apology for believing that the Bible is God’s revelation to man, in which God said just what he intended to say, and that he means what he says. We make no apology for holding the only view of God’s Word that is creditable to its Author. Let people go into spiritualism, atheism, and other delusions if they will; when we are asked for the reason of our belief and hope, we point to the Word of God, and we are not ashamed of that as our authority. We are not afraid to compare it with any other authority upon which men base their views.

We make no apology for believing in a new earth, which is to take the place of “this present evil world,” and that the dark reign of sin and sorrow is almost ended. What view could be brighter and less “pessimistic” than this? What will so quickly and so effectually put an end to all that makes creation groan and sigh, as the advent of her long-awaited Sovereign?

“Joy to the world, the Lord will come! Let earth receive her King; Let every heart prepare him room, And heaven and nature sing.”

We make no apology for being in a position where we can look up and lift up our heads, because our redemption draweth nigh; where we can gather comfort from events that would otherwise cause fear and failing of heart; where we can anticipate but a little way in the future the touch of immortality upon our poor mortal bodies, and the reality

of the “blessed hope,” the reunion with “them that are asleep,” beyond the reach of death. We offer no apology for honoring Christ by the belief that eternal life comes to man only through him.

Why should not all persons who believe the Bible rejoice in the same hope, and share with us the enthusiasm of proclaiming such a message to the world?

L. A. S.