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WHAT CONVINCED ME

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Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Sep 6, 1877

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 50, No. 11.

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WHAT CONVINCED ME.

By Chas. E. Whitlatch

One evening I attended a meeting held by Adventists at Oskaloosa, Iowa. After services I had an argument with Eld. Farnsworth on the Sabbath question, but was foiled in every point I presented to demonstrate my theory for first-day observance. As a last resort, I quoted the passage which says that he that confesseth and forsaketh, the same shall have mercy. “Now,” said I, “by complying with the terms here given, I have a divine assurance that I will be saved, and I can keep any day. It does not say that I must keep Saturday any more than that I must keep Sunday.”
“My friend,” said Eld. F., “will you stick to that argument?”
“Most assuredly, sir, I will,” was the reply.
“Very well; what must we confess?”
“Christ.”
“What must we forsake?”
“Sin.”
“What is sin?”
To evade answering this question, I endeavored to bring up some new argument, but Eld. F. would not permit me to do so, and held out stoutly for an answer. After a short hesitation, I replied, “Evil doing.”
“My friend,” said Eld. F., “I want the answer that was first on the end of your tongue—‘Sin is the transgression of the law.’”
“Well, what of that?” I asked.
“The law says, ‘Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy.’”
“But Christ’s law does not say so.”
“Show me Christ’s law,” said Eld. F., offering me the Bible. “Show me where we are told not to remember the Sabbath day.”
I made it a point to get away from him as soon as possible; but his argument had made a deep and lasting impression. After investigating for two weeks, I came to the firm conclusion that there had been no divine change made in the Sabbath; that I was mistaken in supposing that I was a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ; and that I was only a follower of his pretended vicegerent, the antichrist of Rome. I see now that it was prejudice that prevented me from seeing this gospel truth long ago, and I thank God, with all my heart, that I have accepted the truth at last.
Dear reader, the earnest desire of one who loves your soul, is that you will accept the truth, and that we may meet where we can drink of the fountain of life that is freely gushing forth from beneath the throne of God.
Brethren, in presenting our views, let us do so with a spirit of humility and love that will melt its way to the hearts of the people. May God help us to overcome prejudice. CHAS. E. WHITLATCH.
Marion Co., Iowa.