Defending the Sabbath and Present Truth
By Editor
We copy the following from the “Advent Herald” for Jan. 18, 1851: “Bro. S. R. Dennett writes from Canaan (Vt.) Jan. 8th, 1851:—Dear Bro. Himes:—I want you to say through the “Herald,” that I have been very much annoyed with newspapers and pamphlets containing, as I believe, spurious doctrines, such as the old Jewish Sabbath, door of mercy closed, dreams, visions, &c. I have received as many of the above as I wish for. I want no more of such chaff.” Bro. Lothrop, of Canada East, gave us, last June, the names of a number, all strangers to us, and among them was Samuel Dennett.—We sent him the “Advent Review,” containing the spirited testimonies of leading Advent men, (which certainly should not “annoy” any one bearing the Advent name,) and all we have since published up to No. 2 of the Review and Herald; therefore we infer that he refers to our publications. Here we wish to remark:—1. The terms “Jewish Sabbath” and “Christian Sabbath” are not the language of the Bible. The language of both Testaments is “THE SABBATH.” Jehovah styles it “THE SABBATH OF THE LORD THY GOD,” and “MY HOLY DAY;” but Mr. Dennett, in order to stigmatize the day that God has highly honored, calls it the “Old Jewish Sabbath.” 2. Mr. Dennett speaks of the “door of mercy;” but the Bible speaks of no such “door.” True, Bro. Miller, and others, have used this unscriptural term, (which gives a very wrong idea of our views,) to express their work done for the world; but if we believed that God had forgotten to be merciful to his erring children, we should cease to present truth to them. 3. It really seems a pity that Mr. Dennett should be “annoyed,” as he says, so long with the truth, when if he had returned one paper, we should have sent him no more. And here we wish to say that if any, to whom we send the paper, are in a like condition, you can be relieved at once by returning this No. with your name and address written on it. Such a course would look much more Christian and consistent, for those who reject the letter of the law of God, and profess to fulfill it in LOVE, than to breathe out such bitterness through the “Advent Herald.”