PARSONS, KANSAS by J. H. Cook

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Oct 5, 1876

PARSONS, KANSAS.

By J. H. Cook

We are still holding meetings five miles north of Parsons. Since our last report, five more have embraced the truth here; and the work is still moving and is deepening in the hearts of the people.

The central point of interest among the people is the Sunday-Sabbath question. They have been very loth to believe that the Catholic Church had any thing to do with the changing of the Sabbath from the seventh day to the first. In the good providence of God, the Catholic priest held a meeting here yesterday at three o’clock. Sickness prevented my attending; but those who did attend say he was very courteous. He told the people to ask any questions they wished; he was at their service. He was asked to explain how the Sabbath was changed from the seventh to the first day of the week. He very courteously answered that it was done by the church in the exercise of the power conferred on Peter and his successors. He was asked if moral law is binding in this dispensation. He claimed, as most Protestants do, that it is binding in all ages. What law was abolished at the cross? Answer: The ceremonial, or law of Moses.

Some thought they might yet obtain a little consolation from him; so the question of lost time came up. He said there was no trouble on that point. Sunday was undoubtedly the resurrection day, the seventh day corresponding with the seventh or original Sabbath. It is needless to say that the Protestant part of the congregation were any thing else than satisfied with his answers to the foregoing questions.

J. H. Cook.

Sept. 11, 1876.