p. 62 | Goodland, Indiana by J. P. Henderson

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

Goodland, Indiana.

By J. P. Henderson

There are three of us in this village, a brother, his wife, and myself, endeavoring to keep all God's commandments. We improve every Sabbath by meeting twice, evening and morning, for prayer and the study of God's word. These meetings are becoming precious, and are not without the blessing of God, promised to two or three gathered in his name. But a few months have passed since I took my stand on present truth, and not a moment must be lost in the work before me.

The seed is being sown around us by what little we can do with books and tracts, &c. A few are interested in reading, and we pray that there may be some honest hearts who, seeing the light of present truth, may walk therein.

But the enemy is also at work. One first-day brother proclaims the seventh day a “Jewish institution.” We answer, In one sense, “salvation is of the Jews.” John 4: 22. Our Saviour was born of the Jews, of the tribe of Judah. Besides we read of no other way into the holy city but through one of the twelve gates, on each of which is written one of the names of the twelve tribes of Israel. Rev. 21: 12. We further read that “God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it.” Gen. 2: 3. And this was done two thousand years before a Jew was born. Abraham was chosen of God because he kept his commandments. Gen. 26: 5. The children of Israel observed to do and keep the seventh day, before it was written on tables of stone. Ex. 16. And God speaks of them as my commandments, verse 28, and my Sabbaths. Ex. 31: 13. Lev. 19: 3, &c. How grave is the charge to call it a “Jewish institution.”

But the Sabbath was made for man. Mark 2: 27; a perpetual covenant. Ex. 31: 16. How forcible then are the words of Solomon. Eccl. 12: 13. Fear God, and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. Could it be possible the fourth was excepted? For further light on keeping the Sabbath, read Isa. 50: 2, 4, and 58: 13, and the references.

Let honest hearts read, and reflect that it is better to stand on a sure foundation than to feel that once a week we are doubtfully keeping a day which God never blessed, never sanctified, and never commanded to be kept.

The light upon present truth is shining more clearly in my heart; but to be without religious privileges is the hardest of my trials. Pray for us, that God may increase our little band, and give us the true spirit of labor, that others, seeing our good works, may be influenced to go and do likewise.

J. P. HENDERSON.