The History of the Sabbath.
By John Nevins Andrews
For months past I have written very little for the REVIEW. This has not been because I have not felt deep interest with respect to its prosperity, but because other urgent duties have taxed my time and strength to the utmost. I have been preparing a new edition of the History of the Sabbath; and I now stand so near the close of the work that for the first time I feel free to make some statement respecting it in the REVIEW. Though I have by no means given all my time to this work, for many other duties have been constantly devolving upon me, yet I can say that the amount of labor bestowed upon the preparation of this book has been very great. I have taken the utmost pains to get at the exact truth. How far I have succeeded, must be determined by others who shall trace my statements to the authorities which I have followed. As far as possible, I have sought information from the original authorities. I have given my references so distinctly that they can be fully traced. I do not claim that I have committed no errors, but I may with the strictest truth say that I have done the best in my power to avoid mistakes of every kind. It was my design to re-write the Biblical part of the Sabbath History, and I have bestowed much labour on this part of the work, especially upon the six days of creation. But I found that time would not admit of my carrying this to completion. I have therefore laid aside, for the present, what I have partially prepared for the first division of my work, and decided that with some small changes and additions that part should be simply reprinted. The history of the Sabbath since the time of Christ involves so many important subjects of inquiry that justice cannot be done to them all without much more time for such work than I have been able to command. I have done what I could, giving especial attention to those questions of deepest interest. I have completed and sent to the Office all but the last chapter of my work. This is so nearly finished that I trust to send it very shortly. I hope the work will be found of interest to the people of God, and of benefit to his cause.