AMONG THE SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS.
By J. P. Henderson
Editor Review: The following I clip from the Herald and Presbyter (Presbyterian) of Cincinnati, Ohio. It is pleasant to know that those not of our faith sometimes speak well of us. And it is more pleasant to know that our people are in truth practicing those things found in God’s “golden rule,” so that the outside world are compelled to acknowledge our adherence to the standard of morality. Would that some things the writer has said of us were true to the letter. “Are strictly honest,” yes, we mean to be; but how many notes run past due. How many promises we fail to meet. Every such act is a violation of the precept, “Thou shalt not steal.” Again, “They are chaste in their conversation.” How many of us are guilty of idle words which shall be brought into Judgment. Matt. 12:36. How many are guilty of improper language in times of trial or vexation, all of which “cometh of evil.” Matt. 5:37. If others speak well of us, it should not lead us to self-righteousness, but incite us to greater carefulness, so that we may not only pass the criticism of men, but stand in the Judgment of God also. Battle Creek, Mich., Aug. 14, ’78. Mr. Editor: Battle Creek is so called by reason of a battle fought here in 1835, between the whites and the Indians, on the banks of a small creek. The town is thriving, has a population of about 6,000, and considerable manufacturing is done. It is also the “head center” of what is known as the “Seventh-day Adventists.” They have a society of about 1,000 members, and are somewhat clannish in their social relations. Fifteen years ago they were looked down upon and ridiculed, but they quietly pursued the even tenor of their way, and by upright dealings in all their business relations, and by practicing outwardly what they professed to enjoy inwardly, they have gained the respect and good-will of the entire population. I do not believe a single citizen can be found who would not deeply regret their going away. I do not wish to say that “all men speak well” of them; for that would bring them under the Saviour’s disapprobation—“Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you;” but their total abstinence from the use of all intoxicating liquors—imitating, in this respect, the “Rechabites” of old—and tobacco in every shape, form, or kind, necessarily has a beneficial influence on the entire community. Oh that all professing Christians were as abstentious in respect to these two great evils. How much power we could wield on the side of Christianity were we free from these vices. They have a college, attended by about two hundred and fifty students from all parts of the world, and their professors rank among the ablest men of the day. Their publications supply three large printing offices with all the work they can attend to, and they are now erecting a fourth, which will have a capacity greater than any two of the others. Their papers, periodicals, and books find a circulation all over the entire world, and they state that the demand is steadily increasing. Their methods of preaching their doctrines to the “unconverted” are after the “tabernacle-tent” manner. Where they have no organized society, they take a large tent, and, with a few of their “apostles,” go from place to place and hold a series of meetings, the length of which depends on their success. They preach the “fundamental doctrines” of the Bible, and insist on “immersion” in “baptism.” The peculiar feature of their teaching, and what especially gives them prominence and notoriety as a sect, is the strict observance of the seventh day,167which they claim commences at sundown Friday evening and continues until sundown Saturday evening, basing their belief, as they think, on God’s word. They are extremely particular in keeping this time holy, but on the day which we hold sacred they pursue their daily avocations as usual. They look for a “second coming,” but set no time for the event. This “sect” has very recently finished a “Sanitarium,” at an expense of some $50,000, for the cure of diseases of all kinds. The diet is very plain, and the patient is required to submit fully to their directions; and I learn that they have been quite successful in their mode of treatment. The location is very healthy, and the arrangements made for the comfort and welfare of the patients cannot be surpassed. What they do, they do well; and under the supervision of Dr. Kellogg, I have no doubt, they will largely benefit suffering humanity. The “Adventists” are engaged in building a very large church at this place, to be called the “Tabernacle Church,” and costing some $30,000. It is being built on the co-operative plan. All members of the sect in all parts of the world contribute each ten cents a month. They carry this peculiar feature out in all their church enterprises, everywhere. They are rather “Pharisaical” in their giving to all the church enterprises, “giving tithes of all that they possess,” generally giving one-tenth of their income. They do it cheerfully and freely; and may not that be the reason why they are so successful in all their business relations? They are noted for close dealing, but are strictly honest, and shrewd, sharp traders. They have no poor among them, and appear happy and prosperous. They are chaste in their conversation, and believe in “Bible holiness” and “heart purity” as among the essentials in order to get to Heaven. They have no hope for the wicked beyond this world. Total annihilation is to be their doom. They so preach it, and it ranks among their “articles of faith.” Leaving out the question of what constitutes the true Sabbath, the utter annihilation of the wicked, and saying nothing about “immersion,” they are a sect that all Christians would do well to pattern after in many respects. What the church needs to-day is a positive Christianity. It needs—and the world demands of it—an outward exemplification of that spirit, we claim to possess inwardly,—a showing forth, by our daily walk and conversation, by our honesty in business affairs, that we are “Israelites” indeed and in truth, “in whom there is no guile.” Are there not many more professors than possessors? D. J. DeC.