Oakland by William M. Healey

Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Oakland, California · Mar 14, 1878

Oakland.

By William M. Healey

OUR meetings continue to draw good audiences, each night, although they have been held without intermission for thirty-seven evenings. Last Sunday evening was devoted to the temperance question, Mrs. E. G. White addressing the audience, which filled the house. Dr. Dio Lewis was present and made some remarks; others also took part, and the meeting seemed to pass pleasantly, and we trust profitably to all.

The California Christian Advocate published an editorial on the Sabbath question, which we commenced reviewing before our audience last night, and expect to finish this evening. No new argument is presented in the Advocate, but about all of the old ones, notwithstanding they conflict with each other. For an illustration of the article we present the following positions which are taken:—

The Sabbath only requires any seventh portion of our time. We are required to keep the first day of the week.

We cannot keep the seventh day. We do keep the seventh day.

Time varies so no particular day can be kept. The early Christians met regularly on the first-day and we must do the same.

Moral considerations always required a Sabbath. There was no Sabbath from creation to Moses.

In the gospel dispensation the command is not abrogated. In the gospel dispensation Sabbath-breaking is not a sin.

The above are only a few of the absurdities, contained in their argument, and yet this is the leading paper of the Methodist church on this coast, and is edited by a learned man. There is one position he did not take, and it is the only unanswerable one I have ever met; it was taken by an M. E. minister in Solano county, last summer. In trying to establish Sunday-keeping he said: "I know there is no command for it in the Bible, but we do not know what Christ may have told the disciples which is not written."

As the result of our meetings and judicious missionary labor, twenty-three have signed the covenant; thirteen have been baptized, and others are almost persuaded. Pray for the cause here.

W. M. HEALEY.

March 12, 1878.