Signs of the Times by E. R. Gillett

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 27, 1874

Signs of the Times.

By E. R. Gillett

In the Waverly Republican, published at Waverly, Bremer Co., Iowa, Jan. 1, 1874, I find the following significant item:

“In the Free-Thinkers’ Association, the following resolution was introduced and set for debate, the debaters speaking on which side they like, on next Sunday evening:

“Resolved, That it is the duty of the State and nation to enact and enforce a law, making one day in seven a day of rest.”

The secretary of the Association then goes on to say: “Debaters to be limited to fifteen minutes. All liberal free-thinkers, whether members or not, are invited to attend and participate in the discussion. Those persons who think that because we are liberal to all, we desire to uproot the whole established order of things, are invited to come and see us and disabuse their minds of the idea.”

As a people, we have been disposed to regard the free-thinker as opposed to the movement upon the Sunday question. But it would seem by the above extract that they, too, have caught the spirit of the times, and soon we will be left standing alone in opposition to the great Sunday movement of the day. Those who have relied upon this class of persons for sympathy, I verily believe, are soon to find that they have been deceived.

It has long been preached by our people that this government would enact a Sunday law, and compel observance of the same, and this would constitute the mark of the beast of Rev. 13:12. On the other hand, it has been claimed by the world generally, and by the infidel especially, that this lamb-like government of ours could not do so wicked and foolish a thing as this. And thus the contest has been waged for nearly a quarter of a century. But the lovers of the Bible, and believers of prophecy, have seen one after another of these pretended friends drop off, until they find themselves almost deserted.

My brethren, I feel very thankful to God for the light we have upon the Bible. I would not exchange this knowledge, and the hope I have of eternal life, for a thousand worlds like this. We have great light, precious light. We have the true interpretation of this prophecy. The image is soon to be made. Jesus will soon come, the saints will be rewarded, and the wicked punished. Shall we stand the test? My hope is in the Lamb of God, who taketh away the sins of the world. In him will I trust. Blessed be the name of the Lord. E. R. GILLETT.