How They Became Convinced
[Believing it would be of interest to our readers, the editor of the SIGNS OF THE TIMES has asked Sabbath-keeping ministers and evangelical workers to tell in a few words the scripture or scriptures, the truths and principles, which constrained them to accept the unpopular truth of the seventh-day Sabbath. These testimonies must not exceed 500 words. Let us hear from all.] A native of Denmark, nursed in the creed and instructed by the State Church as prescribed by the code of that country, I crossed the Atlantic to America, at the age of sixteen, flattering myself with the pleasing thought that in the New World I might better myself in most every way, especially money-making; yet in my religion I felt sure there could be found no flaw. But, surprised at the changes here in politics and preaching, and the multitude of irreconcilable creeds and Christians in the churches, and my faith not fastened to the Scriptures, I found myself erelong a secret skeptic. And as the world seemed to widen before me, I went deeper into sin, until, at the age of twenty-one, I left my home—such only in name—to gain some means and make a home for myself. But God, who is great in mercy, sent a man, a farmer and layman, to give some Bible readings in our little town in western Iowa. He pointed to the prophecies of Holy Writ, uttered more than two thousand years ago, then to history and what was going on in the world around us. Then I thought, God is true; His word has come to pass, in part at least, and the rest of it surely is true, also. God had foretold the things that troubled me and fed my doubts, and now their presence helped me to believe. I studied; then there was a fierce struggle; it was the crisis of my life. God was true; His law was love; but men had lied in His name, and I had allowed myself to be deceived. But the Word of God, so strong in itself, offered a footing, and promised me strength. I took my stand, and was free. God did it. I prayed and believed. I saw my sins; I saw the law of God, saw my Saviour, and accepted Him. He took me up, and He holds me now. With the sweetest of peace my heart is hushed, bless His holy name. A. C. ANDERSON. In 1860, while attending a meeting conducted by the Missionary Baptists, I was happily converted, was baptized, and received into the membership of that church. I continued an uncompromising Baptist nearly forty years. In the year 1898 some Seventh-day Adventists residing in our vicinity kindly loaned me some of their literature. I read rather cautiously at first, not so much from prejudice, I think, as the fear of being led into error. I first took up the nature and destiny of man, and it soon appeared to me that theirs was the consistent, reasonable theory, and correct from a Bible standpoint. Then I began to investigate the subject of the Sabbath, and searched the Scriptures and prayed for wisdom and understanding as I never had before. Well, I soon had to admit the Seventh-day Adventists had valid reasons for keeping the Bible Sabbath, yet I was rather undecided what course to take. In time, Mrs. Henry’s “How the Sabbath Came to Me” was placed in my hands, and on reading this booklet I saw that I was left without excuse. Light had come to me, and it was my privilege and duty to act according to the light. So I resolved, the Lord assisting me, to keep the next Sabbath day, and I have endeavored to keep all the commandments of God ever since, in the face of all opposition. J. H. FIELDS.