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AN INTERESTING ITEM

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Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 18, 1878

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 51, No. 16.

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AN INTERESTING ITEM.

The readers of the Review will remember the article published two weeks ago, headed “An Interesting Item,” giving an extract from a letter written by a lady in Massachusetts who had become interested in the Sabbath question, and who forthwith proceeded to stir up her neighbors. The deacon, her Sunday-school teacher, it will be remembered, promised the lady that he would have the question discussed, for her benefit, at the next teachers’ meeting. We have received another letter, and the following extract speaks for itself:—
“I know you are interested to learn the result of our meeting at the deacon’s last night. The Sunday-school superintendent was there (a man who has studied for the ministry, and therefore ought to know something), one or two other deacons, and one of the smartest and most intelligent business men of the town (but, as yet, I believe, not a professor), and several ladies. Now, thought I, out of so much wisdom, education, and talent I shall certainly get satisfactory answers to my simple questions. The business of the meeting was attended to first; which consisted of a long, dry discussion about Manasseh, Hezekiah, Jeremiah, and Zachariah. About half past nine the deacon said,—
“‘I am hurrying this through a little because I have another matter to attend to. A member of my class gave me last Sunday this question: “Who changed the Sabbath from the seventh to the first day of the week, and what right had they to do so?”’
“‘Said one (speaking immediately), ‘We have no right, and it never has been changed.’ But as he was the non-professor, the deacon passed over his answer and referred to the superintendent, who said,—
“‘Why, I suppose because Christ arose from the dead on that day.’
“There was a pause in which, I said, ‘Well, are we to do away with the commandment for that reason?’
“One of the ladies remarked, ‘Why, I suppose we are to keep a seventh part of time.’
“‘But,’ said I, ‘the commandment says, Remember the seventh-day, and not a seventh-day.’
“Another lady turned to Col. 2:16: ‘Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of a holy day, or of the new moon, or of the Sabbath-days.’
“That seemed a great help; they all seemed to breathe more freely for a moment. Then the deacon said, ‘Our Saviour held meetings with the apostles on that day, and that is one reason why we keep the day.’
“Said I, ‘As I understand it the command was given previous to that time, and Christ said, “I am not come to destroy the law, but to fulfill it.”’
“At that the deacon seemed to hesitate, and as it was getting late I said to him, ‘Let me ask you a personal question, Do you feel justified in keeping the first instead of the seventh day for these reasons?’
“He twisted around a little and replied, ‘I should not like to say Yes, neither should I like to say No, because I would not like to commit myself until I have investigated the subject a little more.’
“When I came away, I handed him that tract which you sent me, entitled, ‘Elihu on the Sabbath,’ and asked him if he would be so kind as to read it and tell me what he thought of it. He said he would do so, and also take it before the Association and see what they thought of it, and let me know.
“I must confess I came home feeling a great deal dissatisfied, somewhat disappointed, and a little bit disgusted. I said to my husband as I came into the house, ‘Well, I am surprised to find how slim their reasons are.’ But I have not given it up yet. I mean to satisfy myself on these points, if possible.”
It seems to us that some good must result from the investigation of the truth in that place. May God help the honest-hearted to see and obey.
ELIZA H. MORTON.
Allen’s Corner, Me.