How They Became Convinced
By Editor
[Believing it would be of interest to our readers, the editor of the SIGNS OF THE TIMES has asked Sabbath-keeping ministers and evangelical workers to tell in a few words the scripture or scriptures, the truths and principles, which constrained them to accept the unpopular truth of the seventh-day Sabbath. These testimonies must not exceed 500 words. Let us hear from all.] THE Third Angel's Message (Rev. 14:6-14) found me, twenty-six years ago, a class leader, a Sunday-school superintendent, and a steward in the M. E. church in Baltimore City. The scripture that led me to obedience as regards the Sabbath was Dan. 7:25, which told me of a power that would seek to change God's times and law. The same power is clearly portrayed in 2 Thess. 2:3, 4. Matt. 5:17 told me that it was an utter impossibility that God's law should ever be changed. These scriptures settled me on the Sabbath question. I wish, also, to say that the good old Review and Herald and the SIGNS OF THE TIMES did noble work in feeding my soul in those days; and they have been the best side lights to the Bible I have been able to obtain since. May God continue to bless these faithful messengers. JOHN F. JONES. Oxford, Md. IN 1864 father, who was a Baptist minister, one Friday evening called his family together and said: "Children I must confess to you and the world that I have never kept the Lord's Sabbath. I have recently studied the Bible prayerfully for light upon this subject. A few days since, being fully convinced of error, I promised God if my life was spared to see another Sabbath day I would keep the Sabbath according to the commandment. This will probably lead to my resignation as pastor of the Baptist church. This confession and statement may seem strange to you, my dear children. Your mother and I are fully agreed in this step that means so much to us as a family." At this time I was a boy sixteen years old. I observed the Sabbath for some time out of respect to my parents, but the question forced itself upon my mind that I must know and act for myself in a matter of so much importance. I began thoroughly to search for myself for evidence in favor of keeping Sunday. John's Gospel I had committed to memory in the Baptist Sunday-school. This chapter had led me to believe in the pre-existence of Christ. John 1:1-14; 17:4, 5. Now God used this chapter more than any other scripture to lead me to see that Christ was the author of the Sabbath of the fourth commandment. I saw that the Sabbath law of Ex. 20:8-11 presented the Sabbath institution as a memorial of the Creator; and from John 1:1-3, 10 I saw that Christ was the Creator. "He was in the world, and the world was made by Him, and the world knew Him not." John 1:1 carried my mind at once to Gen. 2:2, 3, where I learned that the "Creator," who was Christ, "rested on the seventh day," and then "blessed the seventh day and sanctified it." From these scriptures I could see no other Sabbath instituted by Christ but the seventh-day Sabbath of the fourth commandment. When I sought for apostolic example it was all in harmony with the precepts and example of Christ. Those most intimate with the daily life of Christ refrained from embalming their Lord on the Sabbath, and the inspired apostle declared that in so doing "they kept the Sabbath according to the commandment." Luke 23:54-56. With no intimation of first-day sacredness I was shut up to one conclusion. After struggle and conflict with many temptations to lead me into paths of worldly gain, I decided to stand with those who would help to make up the "breach" in the law of God. I have found the blessed promise fulfilled, given to all who take their feet from off the Sabbath and "call the Sabbath a delight, the Holy of the Lord, honorable." See Isa. 58:12-14. R. A. UNDERWOOD. "THE law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple." Ps. 19:7. It was the commandments of God that brought me to Christ, and caused me to accept present truth. I had learned from the Word of God that sin was the transgression of the law of God. 1 John 3:4. I saw at once that I was a transgressor; therefore, a wretched sinner against God. I had also learned that the wages of sin is death; therefore death was staring me in the face. The longer I looked into the great mirror of God, the more wretched I became. There was but one remedy for me, and that was Jesus. I at once confessed my sins, and God for Christ's sake forgave them all. Wherefore the law was my schoolmaster to bring me to Christ, that I might be justified by faith. To-day I am rejoicing in present truth. Keeping all the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death." Rom. 8:1, 2. Therefore, I recommend to my unconverted brother the same great Teacher, that he may also be led to Christ, and be justified by faith; and thus being led, accept all of "the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus." This includes the Sabbath of the Lord our God. T. GODFREY. Concordia, Kansas.