p. 178 | WHICH IS THE HEATHEN? by Milton C. Wilcox

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

WHICH IS THE HEATHEN?

By Milton C. Wilcox

The old dragonic spirit is getting waked up here. A few months ago a gentleman supposed to be of very liberal sentiments religiously forbade Mr. B., a Sabbath-keeper, the privilege of crossing a field of his on Sunday, under penalty of prosecution and not being allowed to cross at other times. Mr. B. was about his legitimate business, that of drawing logs to a saw-mill. The road running through the field is used as a public highway, and the field in question is out of sight of any inhabited dwelling. His route ran near no house where he could disturb the inmates, nor within four miles of any place of worship on that day. The parties have always been on good terms heretofore. The only excuse the gentleman offered was that “it was heathenish to work on the Sabbath” (?) where people could see you (he can go hunting though).

Now the definitions of heathen are: “An idolater; a pagan; a worshiper of false gods.” David, by inspiration, says: “For all the gods of the nations are idols; but the Lord made the heavens.” Ps. 96:5. Yes; the Lord made the heavens and the earth, and gave us his holy Sabbath as a memorial of his creative work, and that we might know his true character. (Eze. 20:12, 20.) We are commanded to “keep it holy;” we are told that “the seventh day is the Sabbath.” The Lord never revoked this command. His Son never changed it. (Matt. 5:17, 18.) He never commanded us to keep any other day. On the contrary, he has commanded us to labor six days, and I do not see why this part of the commandment is not just as binding as any of it.

On the other hand, the first-day institution was set up by a corrupt nation and a more corrupt church. The first command for first-day observance was given A. D. 321, by Constantine, a heathen emperor. An institution begotten by Paganism, brought up by Popery, and exalted and enthroned by Protestantism, is the rival of the Lord’s Sabbath! See how opposite are the commands:—

The Lord says, “The seventh [day] is the Sabbath of rest, holy to the Lord.” Ex. 31:15. Paganism says, Abstain from labor on “the venerable day of the sun.”

The Lord speaks of the Sabbath as “my holy day.” Isa. 58:13. Papacy says, The first day is the Lord’s day.

The Lord says: “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. ... The seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God.” Ex. 20:8–10. Protestantism says, The first day of the week is the Christian Sabbath, the Lord’s day.

Which will we believe? Whom will we obey? Says the apostle Paul, “Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey?” Rom. 6:16. Who is the heathen? MILTON C. WILCOX.

Oxbow, N. Y.