[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.]
CLIX.
I was twenty-two years a Roman Catholic, but when I read Daniel 7, and learned the character of the power that would “think to change times and the law” (verse 25, R. V.), I was convinced that Sunday was a man-made Sabbath. My wife and I were baptized the same day by Brother H. K. Willis, and we are both happy to know the true Sabbath day, and to keep it holy. J. J. WISE.
CLX.
At the age of fourteen years, I became a member of the Baptist Church. But I never heard anything about the Sabbath, and thought it was only a day of rest. I knew nothing of the Sabbath as a sign between God and His people. I was told that the Bible had been changed, that the Old Testament was no longer of any use, but I never really believed it. At last I met a man selling “Bible Readings,” and became convinced that the Bible had not been changed at all. In Ps. 89:34 we read: “My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of My lips.” Ps. 111:7, 8, reads: “All His commandments are sure. They stand fast forever and ever.” Again, “I am the Lord, I change not.” Mal. 3:6. To this Jesus adds: “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets; I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in nowise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.” Matt. 5:17, 18; also Luke 16:17. D. D. BUTCHER.
CLXI.
I ALWAYS believed the Bible, and attended Sunday-school and church in my boyhood, but never could be induced to unite with any of the churches. In 1891 a copy of “Thoughts on Daniel and the Revelation” fell into my hands, a part of which I read and believed. I then learned for the first time in my life that those wonderful visions could be understood, and that the Lord meant to have men understand them. I also understood some of the reasons why there are so many divisions and so many different doctrines taught in the so-called Christian Church of to-day.
Some of the truths which I learned at that time never left me, and I was very glad to have another opportunity to read the same book two years later. After a careful reading of the entire volume, I was fully convinced of my obligation to keep the law of God. I began to keep the Sabbath of Jehovah without waiting to hear a course of lectures, or get acquainted with any Seventh-day Adventist minister. God is love, and His law is perfect. His law is the rule by which His love works. It is the royal path of life. “This do, and thou shalt live.” Luke 10:28. E. V. SHACKELFORD.
