The Amendment by A. Smith

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Feb 3, 1874

“The Amendment.”

By A. Smith

A CANDID CONFESSION.

Recently, while in company with a Methodist minister, the conversation turning upon the moral corruption of society, the writer remarked that since the war there had been an evident increase of crime.

To this, the minister assented, but hinted that a change for the better was approaching when nations should learn war no more.

This, the writer remarked, did not accord with the prophetic record concerning the last days; and asked if a nation like ours, figuring so conspicuously in the closing drama of this dispensation, should not have been noted in prophecy?

Minister. Yes, but I fail to recognize the symbol employed.

Writer. You will find it noted in Rev. 13. Nations are not noted in prophecy except they are connected with the people of God. Our nation is yet to become a persecuting power. An image to the beast (papacy) is yet to be formed, and worship enforced.

M. Is it possible that Romanism is to gain power in this country sufficient to effect such a change?

W. I think not; as, in such a case, the image would be a part of the beast himself; but it will evidently be an ecclesiastical organization under one head, like to that of the beast, whose worship it is to enforce.

M. Will the Protestant churches unite to form such an organization?

W. You are aware that a move is now being made to so amend the Constitution as to place Christian usages and customs upon a legal basis?

M. Yes, but only those points upon which all are agreed.

W. But they are not all agreed. There is a large class who honestly believe that, according to the Bible, the seventh day of the week is the Sabbath; whereas, the proposed amendment provides that the first day shall be observed as such. Now what is to be the rule of exegesis, the Bible or the Constitution?

M. [Reflecting.] Evidently the Constitution.

W. What, then, will be done with dissenters?

M. They will be persecuted for their faith; but, if they be true Christians, it will not hurt them, but serve to refine them, and cause them to press together; but no Christian, though differing with them on some points, would ever engage in, or consent to, such persecution.

W. True; but a majority of those who profess Christianity are not Christians, and a larger class will unite with them for gain, while still others will be indifferent to their action; and what was designed for a blessing, by the few candid Christian men who originated the scheme, will finally prove one of the most gigantic evils that ever shall have cursed our country.

A. SMITH.