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Where Are We?

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Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Dec 8, 1874

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 44, No. 24.

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Where Are We?

By Chas. L. Boyd.

We are living at a period in the history of the world when great events are brought about in a short space of time. Speak to a person, a few years ago, of the time coming when the laws of our government would be so changed as to be oppressive to any class of Christians, and the idea would be scoffed as incredible. At the present time, after people have listened to, and seen the effects of, the proclamation of the third angel’s message, we find many very zealously advocating the necessity of such a law.
A short time since, I had the privilege of attending a class-meeting held by the United Brethren, the leader of which and several of the class were about to commence to keep the Lord’s Sabbath. At the close of the testimonies, the following remarks were made by the leader:—
“Since the Sabbath question has been agitated here, I have been carefully investigating the matter. I have examined every passage speaking on the subject of the Sabbath and law from Genesis to Revelation, and have tried in every way to upset this doctrine. I found that, if the law of God is still binding, the seventh day is the Sabbath. I then sought proof that the law is abolished. I sought refuge behind the declaration, ‘Behold, I make all things new.’ Here the Sabbath must be included. But I found this referred to a time when there is no more death. Either the apostles tell an untruth when they say that the Sabbath precedes the first day of the week, or we when we say the first day is the Sabbath. I find the law of God is still binding, and that the Sabbath is a part of that law. I find the whole duty of man summed up in the commandments of God; and as for me I will keep these commandments.”
An officious and leading man in the church then arose, and expressed himself as follows:—
“You are acting hastily and very unwisely. You had better wait till our next quarterly meeting before deciding to take such a course.—Our fathers died keeping the first day, and we know they are in Heaven. My father died, and came back and told us all was well. Why did not he warn us to keep Saturday lest we go to hell!”
The former replied: “It is not safe to postpone present duty till the future. When converted I promised God that I would serve him. New light is shining upon my pathway, and I will try to walk in this light.”
“At the present time,” replied the other, “people have the privilege of keeping the day they see fit; but, as for my part, I shall be glad to see the time come when the day will be established by law, and all be obliged to keep it.”
The minds of the people are being rapidly prepared to vote in favor of an “image to the beast.” The winds are being held that the servants of God may be “sealed.” Soon, we know not how soon, the “winds” will blow, the “great battle” will be fought, the “trump of God” will sound, “the heavens and the earth shall shake,” “the dead in Christ shall rise,” and with them “we which are alive and remain” will be taken to the mansions now being prepared for “all them also that love his appearing.”
CHAS. L. BOYD.