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.] In the year 1898 I left my home in Dundee, Scotland, to come to America. I had been brought up an Episcopalian, but after coming to this country I became dissatisfied with its forms and ceremonies. I was a great lover of books, especially religious ones, and while employed in a certain hotel in Carberry, Manitoba, Canada, when my day's work was done I was given permission by the lady of the house to select any book I wished to read from the bookcase. One day I was looking at the titles of the books, when my eyes lighted on “Great Controversy between Christ and Satan.” I never shall forget how surprised I was, because I never had known till then that there was a controversy between Christ and Satan. When I had read it through, I came to the conclusion that what it said about the seventh day being the Sabbath was true. I never knew that any people but the Jews kept the Sabbath, and I supposed that because they did not accept the Messiah they were deceived in everything else. Well, I simply wished that I could meet a Christian people, who kept the seventh day. I know that the Lord was leading me, because soon after that I became acquainted with two Bible-workers, Miss Sowler and Miss Purdon, who were the means, in the hands of the Lord, of bringing me into the truth. One thing that helped me to accept the Sabbath was that it is the seal of God, while Sunday-keeping is the seal of the “man of sin.” I also learned that “sin is the transgression of the law.” I had been taught that the law, including the Sabbath, was done away when Christ came. But if this were true, there could be no more sin, because “sin is not imputed where there is no law,” and sin still reigned in the earth; therefore the law is still in force. I received a wonderful blessing from the Lord when I fully decided to keep the Sabbath, and I trust that when Jesus comes I may be found among those of whom it is said, “Here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” WHEN Brother Wm. Lewsadder held Bible readings at our house, I could not help seeing that Saturday is the Sabbath, and that I must keep it. So I said that by the help and grace of God I would keep the Sabbath, but it was no little task to do so. Satan tried me in every conceivable way; he told me that my friends would all turn against me, that I could not afford to pay tithes, etc. The more I tried to keep the Sabbath, the darker and more hedged up the way became, until at last I wished that I had not been shown the light on the subject. The more I thought about it, the more I was impressed that I must obey God or be lost. One day while so burdened I was impressed to pray, and as I went down on my knees in prayer to Him who is able to deliver in every time of trouble, I told Him all; and there at that moment I received the victory. Thanks be to God, I have been able to pay my tithes, have had plenty to eat, and some to spare. I have kept the victory in my soul ever since, and I now rejoice that, through prayer and faith in God, I received a joy in my soul that the world can not give nor take away. At one time I endured religion, but I thank God that I am now fully enjoying it. I can not begin to tell the goodness of God to me, and how wonderfully He opened the way for me, both spiritually and temporally. Now I have more true friends than I ever had before. I am determined by the grace of God to stand in the front of the battle and fight for our all-conquering King. Pray for me, that I may prove faithful, and at last meet all the brothers and sisters in the earth made new. MRS. E. M. TOOLEY.