[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.]
XLI.
When a child, as soon as I had learned to read fairly well, I read the Scriptures. There I received my first definite impressions concerning which day of the week is the real Sabbath of the Lord. In my childish simplicity I inferred that the first day was the seventh; for the reason that every one of whom I knew was keeping, or claiming to observe, the first day. A few times I heard persons remark that Sunday was the first day. I every time denied it. No one seemed to know enough of the history of the two days to lead me into the light.
When a lad in my teens I learned from an eccentric character, yet a well-read man, the general history of the two days, and of the assumed change, and that Sunday was the first day; hence, that the day previous was the veritable seventh day from creation, the real Sabbath.
I was assured by Ex. 31: 15, 16, that no change could occur so long as a vestige of Israel remained; that it is as “perpetual” as they. I then erroneously concluded that the virtual intent of the command was met in a dual compliance—one day in seven, and uniformity as to which day. This delusion the light of prophecy dispelled. The Sabbath reform for the last days, so clearly demanded by Isaiah 56 and 58, dissipated the clouds and mists from my spiritual eyesight, and I saw clearly for the first time that a double and radical reform must come. The identical day, and proper celebration, must be restored. God is particular to the word in what He requires. Jer. 26: 2. Craving the blessing of obedience, I hastened to remove my unhallowed feet from Christ’s holy day. W. T. DRUMMOND. Eastman, Ga.
XLII.
I was born of Sabbath-keeping parents, and reared in that faith. But when I had “come to years,” I had the question of the day of the Sabbath to settle for myself. I observed that the majority of professed Christians were keeping the first day of the week, instead of the seventh “according to the commandment.” On studying the question, I became confirmed in the belief that, according to the Protestant platform,—“the Bible, and the Bible only,”—the seventh day is the day divinely appointed for rest. I found that Christ kept that day, and I concluded that, as He is “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to-day, and forever,” it is His Sabbath still.
I learned that God’s special presence in things makes them holy, as the “holy ground” by the burning bush, etc., and I could see that it was God’s special presence in the seventh day that gives to it its sacredness, causing it to differ in nature from the “six working days;” consequently, if I wanted a Sabbath blessing, I must accept of it in “the seventh day.” From Isa. 58: 13 I could see that the Sabbath was an emblem or foretaste of eternal rest. Hence my attitude toward God’s weekly rest would determine whether or not I would enjoy His eternal presence. This conclusion I could not avoid, and I took a firmer hold on the Sabbath to love, keep, and recognize God’s presence in it. C. T. ADAMS.
