Rochester, Dec., 1867 by W. Sutliff

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Dec 24, 1867

Rochester, Dec., 1867

By W. Sutliff

From Bro. Sutliff.

BRO. SMITH: I think I feel very much as the “mourning captives” did when they “sat down by proud Euphrates stream.” But hope brightens up as I see the “omens of the coming day.” I have watched with much interest the agitation of the Sabbath question in the United States, and have come to the conclusion, that if it increases in the same ratio that it has for three years past, the great crisis will be reached in a short time.

Oh, how I long for the time to come! And yet, when I think of my unfaithfulness, and my poverty in spiritual things, I cannot help but doubt that I am so soon to be delivered from this world of sin. I have great fears that I shall be found wanting.

I feel like crying out, “unworthy!” whenever I think of meeting Jesus. How sweet the name of Jesus sounds to me, since I came to realize that this same Jesus is surely to come and take his poor children home. Yes, I want to see Jesus. He is my friend. He has died to redeem me, and I hope and pray that I may so live that my name may be found written in the book of life.

I have before me a copy of the American Messenger, and under the heading “Sunday Laws,” I find the following:

“The Sabbath war is raging from New York to San Francisco.” And again in the same article:

“It would be a shame if any of our political parties or legislatures, could so far forget their duty as to sacrifice that holy day to the wishes of rum-sellers, saloon-keepers, and those who hate all restraints of the selfish passions of corrupt human nature. The Christian community will not stand such tampering with the eternal principles of morality; the people will rise en masse against any party that breaks down the barriers of vice, and shakes the moral foundation of our government.” W. SUTLIFF.