LETTER FROM SCOTLAND by James Scott

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 6, 1878

LETTER FROM SCOTLAND.

By James Scott

It is now a few years since I have been a Sabbath-keeping Christian. I have become one from conviction and the fear of God. I in some measure strive to obey. There is none other here to be a companion. I have found first-day people most ignorant on this subject, and yet bigoted in “Sunday,” as they call it. Many even go to the length to threaten violence. I feel assured that the origin and continuance of first-day rest, and of course Sabbath desecration, stands against the clergymen. I am not disrespected by any of them in Elgin, though I have spoken plainly of and to them. I have publicly disowned the Sunday, and called on them or any to defend it; but none dare, but the regardless, that I do not think proper to meddle with; they would turn and rend me.

I am sorry progress is slow in Britain. Had my advice, and the advice of Brn. Jones, of London, and Mills, of Glasgow, been taken, I think there would have been self-supporting churches in Scotland ere now. I wanted meetings in the open air, and offered to lead off, but this plan was not adopted; hence there has been no progress. Still, seeds have been sown, and it is my opinion that if there was a suitable missionary here,—one that would preach Christ’s gospel and teaching, and of course the Sabbath-keeping, in the corners and public places in summer, and indoors in winter, progress would be made, and it would cost but very little. About £200 might nearly cover the entire expense for one year.

Suppose two hundred persons, as an experiment, would subscribe £2 each, to be paid in quarterly, as needed, it would be no mighty matter as to the money whether it would succeed or not; then let a missionary be engaged for two years, who will be subject to a director or directors in America or Scotland, or in both countries combined; let him preach to all, immersers and sprinklers in baptism; let there be free communion, but make it imperative to preach salvation to all, the duty of keeping the ten commandments unabridged, the second coming of the Lord, and the life everlasting. Let this be done, and no doubt the reef will be cut, and the golden treasure found in abundance.

To talk of progress here in the present state of matters would be but to delude. How can anything be done without hands? At a great sacrifice and risk, I here, and another in Glasgow, a third in London, and a fourth in Ireland, may keep our lights burning; but what progress is made? But let there be a combined effort, and there will be progress. Distributing tracts will never form churches. I hope that the subject will be considered, and that some who have faith in God, as the husbandman has, will cast the seed on the earth, that it may appear afterward.

Permit me to convey a declaration of my love for the brotherhood.

JAMES SCOTT.