The Power of Sabbath Tracts
By Ransom Hicks
DEAR BRO. WHITE:—Through the kindness of Bro. Bates, I have received the package you sent me containing 500 tracts, (Sabbath by Elihu.) Part of them are now preaching to sectarian religionists in this city and elsewhere. Nothing that I have as yet distributed among them, has proved more effectual in completely shutting them up, and calling their attention to the law of God, and especially the Sabbath precept, than this. Many are convinced of the truth, viz., that "the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord our God," but seem lacking in moral courage to act. They seem not to fully understand and appreciate the vitality of the third angel's message. May God grant that they may see and understand that procrastination is now, above all other times, exceedingly dangerous—that Christ is now in the Holy of Holies for the purpose of cleansing the Sanctuary, and that the signs of the times evidently indicate that he will soon come out to bless his people, and then all will be done, so far as concerns the salvation of man.—Yes, then will be fulfilled that which is written, viz., "He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still." Rev. xxii, 11. I spoke of the signs of the times, and it may be asked, what I see. I answer, I see many occurrences which denote the end near. Among the many, I shall now cite but one. I read the daily journals that are now teeming with important news from the East. My eyes are turned for the time being, to the geographical map. They there glance "along on the banks of the dark rolling Danube," that notable river that has witnessed so many scenes of blood and carnage. And what is seen there now? I see what I verily believe to be the beginning of the fulfillment of that which was spoken in Zeph. iii, 8. If God is not about to "assemble the kingdoms, to pour upon them his indignation, even ALL his fierce anger," then I know not what this "universal war" that the nations are talking about, means. But as it is, I am perfectly satisfied that the nations are now gathering to the last battle that will be witnessed on earth, and which will prove final to the career of the wicked nations on the earth, by a complete overthrow of them all. I do not understand, however, that the consummation of this "universal war" is to be brought about in simply one year, but in all probability will be the work of several years. I know there is a certain class who teach that the Lord will come in the clouds of heaven next year; (1854;) but I heed not their teaching. I am trying to get in perfect readiness to hail him with joy when he does come. This I do by giving diligence to the "commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus." This, these "next year" teachers do not do; so far as I know of them, or have ever heard of them, they are Sabbath-breakers. Therefore I know they are not sent of God. Neither do they bear any marks of relationship to the old-school Adventists. But they bear striking marks of not simply relationship, but as being of that identical class that "scattered the jewels of the casket, and then brought in dirt and shavings and covered them up." See Bro. Miller's dream. But since Christ entered the Holy of Holies at the end of the 2300 days, to cleanse the Sanctuary, and under the voice of the third Angel of Rev. xiv, this rubbish has been cleared away by the "man with the dirt brush."—And may God speed the time when all the true-hearted shall be brought to see and acknowledge the truth. There is a little company of us here who are endeavoring to keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. Others are looking candidly, as I trust, at the subject. May God help them to understand. The package of the Review we receive regularly, and it is to us meat in due season, I will assure you. By it I am not only reminded of the present truth, but also the present truth that belonged to, and was preached in 1843. See the awful dilemma and confusion those are in, who teach that the 70 weeks and 2300 days are disconnected. Their views are discordant on almost every subject. Praised be God forever, for granting us to see the light of the third angel's message. Providence, R. I., Nov. 20th, 1853.