Why? by Editor | AdventAI

Pacific Press Publishing Company · OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA · Jul 1, 1897

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 23, No. 25.

Why?

By Editor

Why?—Accidentally we came across a copy of the Dixon (California) Daily Sun of June 11, in which is an article headed, "Challenge Is Sweeping; Elder D. W. Hudler Issues a Challenge to Seventh-day Adventists." The article states that he gave them until June 1, 1897, to secure a man to discuss the Sabbath question. This Mr. Hudler thus addresses the Seventh-day Adventist people:—

"Why are you so indifferent? If you believe that the seventh day is binding on all mankind, as you teach for doctrine, why do you not accept my challenge and proposition made in my reply to J. F. Henderson?

"I wish to say this: You should accept the challenge and proposition or publicly acknowledge that you have no Bible to support the observance of the seventh day or Sabbath under gospel age.

"I have sent the papers containing the challenge and proposition to Battle Creek, Mich., and Oakland, Cal., and I am confident that the Adventist people are aware of the challenge, and my proposition to Mr. Henderson, or any Adventist; and should you not accept I shall come to the conclusion that you are convinced of your error."

Well, in the first place, we never before heard, so far as we can remember, of Mr. Hudler or his worldwide challenge. And if we had, we do not know why we, or any of our ministers, should stop our work to please Mr. Hudler and give him added notoriety. Why should we accept his challenge? By what law are those sent of God bound to cease their work, and at the behest of every one who calls? And by what law of logic should Mr. Hudler or any one else conclude that any one is convinced of error because his challenge is not noticed? Here then are two good reasons why Mr. Hudler's challenge is unnoticed here at least: (1) We did not know that he lived, or, living, had issued such a challenge; and (2) in the language of one of old, "I am doing a great work, so that I can not come down; why should the work cease, whilst I leave it, and come down to you?" The truth or falsity of any cause is not dependent on the willingness or unwillingness of its friends to debate with every one who demands it.