p. 5 | How They Became Convincd by Editor

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Mar 23, 1904

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 30, No. 12.

How They Became Convincd

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.]

CXXXVIII.

I BELIEVE in and keep the seventh-day Sabbath, because God commanded it (Deut. 4:13; Ex. 20:8-11). The Ten Commandments were spoken by Christ (1 Cor. 10:1-4; Neh. 9:6-14), and the fourth, as well as all the rest, is unchangeable and perpetual (Isa. 56:2-7; 66:23). The law of the Lord represents His character, and the seventh-day Sabbath is His memorial, because all things were created by Him and for Him (John 1:1-3; Col. 1:15-17; Heb. 1:1, 2). The Father and the Son rested on the seventh day, and blessed and sanctified it (Gen. 2:2, 3) for the benefit of man (Mark 2:27, 28). King David, the prophets, and apostles all declared the law of commandments holy, right, true, loving, perfect, and immutable (Ps. 19:7; 119:142, 172; Rom. 7:12; Mal. 2:6; Luke 10:25-38; James 1:25). It is written that the Son of Man is Lord "even of the Sabbath" (Mark 2:27, 28; Ex. 31:16, 17; Eze. 20:19, 20; Rev. 1:10). Christ also shows that the law is immutable (Matt. 5:17-19; Luke 16:17). The only way to know the Father and Son is to keep His commandments (1 John 2:1-5; Matt. 7:21; James 2:10, 11.) I have faith to believe that the world was created in six days, by the word of God (Gen. 1:1-31; Heb. 11:3); and therefore that God rested on the seventh day, and we should do likewise, according to His example and commandment (Ex. 20:8-11). I believe the Lord has given us a sure and safe weapon with which it is possible to meet every temptation of Satan, and that the Scriptures of truth are given by inspiration of God (2 Tim. 3:16, 17; Rom. 15:4). The Bible is the best of all books; it is an attractive, charming, and soul-satisfying book (Deut. 27:8; Hab. 2:2, 3; 1 Cor. 2:2, 4, 14). I believe what is written; I rely on God's Word. I have been accused of having strayed from the beaten path; but I praise and thank God, our Father, because I am not straying any more; for I have found it (Isa. 56:1, 2; 58:12-14; Eccl. 12:13, 14).

CONRAD FREDERIC HAESELER.

CXXXIX.

My wife's mother lay sick on her death-bed, and Sister Andrews would come to help with the work sometimes. One day (knowing, I suppose, that I was very much opposed to Seventh-day Adventist doctrines) she suggested that my wife ask me to attend a course of meetings to be held by Brother Geo. I. Butler, in the public square in Mount Pleasant, Iowa. I was then very busy as a contractor, and had men working for me, with more work than I could do. I was turning off work almost every day. So when my wife spoke to me, I said, "Yes, if I have nothing at all to do, I will attend the meetings," never thinking of such a thing as getting caught. But the Lord knew that my word was good, so the very day the meetings commenced, I ran clear out of work. Of course I went to meeting. Brother Butler gave us the privilege of handing in questions; so I said to myself, "I will make it hot for you; if I have to attend your meetings I will give you questions that will stall you and defeat all your preaching, Saturday Sabbath, etc." But now we all know how easily he could answer them all.

One evening I met my brother and asked him to go along and hear the Adventist tell about the devil, where he came from, and where he will go.

My brother said, "Yes, I would like to hear that;" and we both attended the meetings. But every night, as we were going home, one of us would ask, "Well, what do you think of that?" Then we would discuss the question.

One night, however, neither one of us said anything until we got almost to my house; then my brother said, "Well, what do you think of that?" I said, "Well, I think I have broken my last Sabbath;" and he said, "That is just my idea."

Friday evening Brother Butler came to my house to talk and pray with me. He asked me what I thought of these things, and I told him that I expected to keep the Sabbath and live out the truth.

As soon as I had accepted the truth at Mount Pleasant I had plenty of work again.

W. F. NICKEL.