p. 3 | THE LAST RESORT by A. Smith

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 26, 1879

THE LAST RESORT.

By A. Smith

AFTER every other argument to support first-day sanctity has been fairly met and refuted by Bible testimony, it is generally asserted, as a last resort, without an attempt at logical demonstration, that “it makes no difference which day we keep, if only we keep one day in seven.” Now it is a remarkable fact that about every one who urges this assertion, practically nullifies the argument by observing the first day only, and condemning the observance of the seventh day whenever policy renders it prudent to do so.

If we could witness, on the part of the advocates of this principle, frequent or even occasional deviations in favor of the second, fifth, or seventh day of the week as the Sabbath, we would be compelled to admit their honesty; but in the absence of such demonstration we cannot but regard it as a dishonorable subterfuge. If such would lay open their hearts in the sight of God, they would discover the hidden motives of action to be worldly interest, popular sentiment, fear of reproach, or love of self, and not the honor of God alone, and a desire to advance the interests of revealed truth in the world.

Reader, if you keep the first day as the Sabbath, do you do so to honor the Creator of heaven and earth, and do you fear that you would dishonor him by observing the seventh day, of which alone there is Bible evidence of sanctification; or can you see in the terms of the preceding paragraph a reflection of the secret springs of action that animate your practical life?

It may be that you do not believe the evidence adduced in support of the Bible Sabbath; but, while your unbelief will make no difference with the facts in the case, it will make a difference with you in the day of Judgment. You need not look for a supernatural demonstration in favor of the Sabbath, for God will doubtless never give it you. You have the Bible in your own tongue, and it will witness against you in the last day if you allow any influence to turn your feet aside from the highway of truth and holiness therein revealed.

When the sun goes down on the sixth day, stop a moment, I pray you, and consider that, whether you believe in the Sabbath or not, God has a people scattered over the earth, who, at that very time, are seeking to honor him by observing the day he has commanded us to keep holy; and while, on the seventh day, you are hard at work preparing for the so-called “Christian Sabbath,” but, in fact, the heathen feast day of the sun, and the adopted institution of the papacy, they are resting from worldly cares and engaged in the public worship of God; and thus reflecting, I exhort you, like the Psalmist, to make haste to keep all the commandments of God.

A. SMITH.