[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.]
CXV.
My parents were Sabbath-keepers. When a mere child I attended the Sabbath service where a little company of Adventists assembled.
As I grew older I wandered off into sin, and sometimes broke the Sabbath, altho I usually refrained from labor on that day in deference to a mother's teaching. I was often glad when the Sabbath was past. One day an old man, our county surveyor, stopped at our house while surveying our farm. In the evening he produced a little tract entitled “One Hundred Bible Facts upon the Sabbath.” He asked if we would like to take our Bibles, and study the subject with him. This we were glad to do.
The following facts that were brought to view made a deep impression on my mind. After finishing the work of creation in six days, the great Creator rested on the seventh day, and blessed and sanctified it. Gen. 2:1–3. He did not do this to any other day. The Sabbath was made for man (Mark 2:28), and was instituted over two thousand years before there ever was a Jew on the face of the earth. Hence it is not Jewish, but is designed for all mankind. If man needed the Sabbath in Eden, while pure and upright, surely he needs it now. It was placed in the bosom of that holy and righteous law of which the Scripture says: “All His commandments are sure. They stand fast forever and ever, and are done in truth and uprightness.” Ps. 111:7, 8.
Our Saviour never commanded the observance of any other day, and He left no intimation that a change should be made from the seventh to the first day of the week. On the contrary, He called Himself Lord of the Sabbath (Matt. 12:8), and He kept it all His life. Luke 4:16. He left us an example that we should follow in His steps. He also said: “Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in nowise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.” Matt. 5:18. The Sabbath will be kept by the redeemed in the earth made new. Isa. 66:22, 23. Thus it is like a golden chain connecting Eden lost with Eden restored.
The surveyor soon left our place, but the words of truth that he spoke to us remained. I then decided that if I ever became a Christian I would keep God's holy day; and when finally I gave my heart to God, I at once began to observe the Sabbath from the heart. That was eighteen years ago. The way has grown steadily brighter, and now, as each Sabbath draws near, I can hail it with delight.
