How They Became Convinced
By J. W. Westphal
[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.] WHEN in the summer of 1878 Brother H. W. Decker came to the little city of New London, Wis., to hold meetings in a tent, I was not a Christian, neither was I willing to be one. I had repeatedly heard the call to give my heart to God, and only once had I given even reserved assent. During the eight weeks of meetings I attended but twice. I might have attended oftener, but from the meetings that I had attended there resulted a deep conviction in my heart, a conviction not simply from the arguments presented, but from the power accompanying the message, that the truth of God was being given to the people, and a call more distinct and more powerful to give my heart to God than I had ever heard it before came to me,—all of which I did not wish, and therefore remained away. The fear and dread I had before entertained of being laughed and jeered at for being a Christian were greatly intensified, now that to be a Christian involved very clearly to my mind the unpopular doctrines and practises of the Seventh-day Adventists relating to the Sabbath, etc. Being a youth of only seventeen years, I feared most of all that it would rob me of the one day, Sunday, for fun and frolic. Not being content with remaining away from the meetings, I foolishly opposed my parents when they began to observe the Sabbath of the Lord. Desiring to rid myself of the convictions that had taken possession of me, I wished to go where nothing would remind me of the truths I had learned. Circumstances seemed to favor and I was permitted to leave home and work in a lumber camp the following winter. But there was no fleeing the Lord’s presence. In mercy, tenderness, and patience He followed the aimless runaway. With distance from home, friends, and the truth, my convictions increased. The Lord continued speaking to my soul. I was rejoiced more to return home the following spring than I had been to leave, and I was resolved no longer to shun the place the Lord might choose to teach His people. The following summer I surrendered my heart to God, and with that I began to observe the Sabbath. What one text more than others brought me to this decision I can not say. Of one thing I was then and am still deeply conscious, and that is, that God was leading and teaching me. The Sabbath became my delight. For Sunday’s fun, I found delight in the Lord. Fears of scoffs and jeers no longer moved me. Ever since I have humbly rejoiced in the message that has brought to me the Sabbath, and in the Lord who has dealt so lovingly and patiently with one so determined and wilful. J. W. WESTPHAL.