[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.]
XXXV.
A. D. 1857.—“Young man, give me your highest and strongest reasons for resting from manual labor on the first day of the week, commonly called Sunday, and for calling it the Sabbath, holy unto the Lord, the Lord’s day.”
Answer.—Father and mother do so, and all my good neighbors likewise. I know of no higher or stronger reason than human testimony and human example.
Question.—“Would it not be well and more pleasing to God, for you to look into the grounds of your religious faith and practise for yourself, than to depend wholly on merely human testimony and human example?”
Answer.—Thank you for the suggestion. I will certainly do so, and then my service to God will be not only in spirit, but also in truth, as His Word requires.
A. D. 1858.—“Young man, why have you changed your faith and practise since one year ago, observing the seventh day of the week, calling it the Sabbath day, holy unto the Lord, instead of Sunday?”
Answer.—Because I have learned from the Holy Bible, the highest source of authority among men, that the living God who created all things earthly, in whom I live, move, and have my being; made the week, and then made the seventh day thereof, upon which He rested, a holy Sabbath, blessing and sanctifying it. So all men have the example and explicit command of their loving Creator, to “remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy.” True, we remember our Creator and Sanctifier, delight ourselves in His love, and do His good pleasure.
A. D. 1902.—“Forty-four years a pilgrim. How about the journey now? and what is your hope?”
Answer.—Onward to glory in the same good old way. The pathway brightens; the Celestial City is not far ahead. “Blessed are they that do His commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.” Rev. 22:14. H. A. ST. JOHN.
XXXVI.
I was born and raised in the Scotch Presbyterian Church, sang only the Psalms, and had committed to memory the entire “Shorter Catechism.”
I enlisted and served during the Civil War of 1861-65. While a prisoner of war I learned that my parents and the children at home had changed from the observance of the first day of the week to the seventh-day Sabbath. On returning home at the close of the war, I observed a great change in the lives of those who had changed views and practises. Their prayers and conversation affected me deeply. The same year I attended a series of meetings conducted by two Adventist ministers, during which I became intensely interested. I followed them with a critic’s eye, marking and studying each passage of scripture presented. It was the clear, plain and direct statement of the Scriptures themselves bearing upon the points presented that made the deepest impression on my heart. I was enabled to see the Bible in a new light. The Sabbath of the Fourth Commandment shone with a luster and power. I was fully convinced that I was in error. I could only say, “Let God be true.” The alternative left me was to obey God, or give up all hope of a future life. I surrendered. Jesus made me His prisoner; then gave me freedom. I enlisted in His service till the work of the Third Angel’s Message is done, and I am confident that its triumph is certain.
My heart says, “Come Lord Jesus, and come quickly.” R. M. KILGORE.
