p. 126 | Truth Vindicated by Editor

Publishing Committee · Rochester, N. Y. · May 9, 1854

Truth Vindicated.

By Editor

[Bro. Lindsey from Vermont writes:—While in Canada I found an old book entitled Truth Vindicated, written upwards of 60 years ago, with the following word to a Sabbath-breaker, which I think is applicable to the present time.]

Remember the Sabbath-day to keep it holy. Have you forgotten who spoke these words? Or do you set him at defiance? Do you bid him do his worst? Have a care. You are not stronger than he. Let the potsherd strive with the potsherds of the earth; but wo unto the man that contendeth with his Maker; he sitteth on the circle of the heavens, and the inhabitants of the earth are as grasshoppers before him! Six days shalt thou labor and do all thy work. But the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God. It is not thine, but God's day. He claims it for his own. He always did claim it for his own, even from the beginning of the world. In six days the Lord made heaven and earth, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it. He hallowed it; that is, he made it holy; he reserved it for his own service. He appointed that as long as the sun, or the moon, the heavens and the earth should endure, the children of men should spend this day in the worship of him, who gave them life and breath and all things. Shall a man then rob God? And art thou the man? Consider, think what thou art doing. Is it not God who giveth thee all thou hast? Every day thou livest, is it not his gift? And wilt thou give him none? Nay, wilt thou deny him what is his own already. He will not, he cannot quit his claim. This day is God's. It was so from the beginning. It will be so to the end of the world. This he cannot give to another. O render unto God the things that are God's. Now! To-day, while it is called to-day!

For whose sake does God lay claim to this day? For his sake or for thine? Doubtless, not for his own. He needeth not thee, nor any child of man. Look unto the heavens and see, and behold the clouds which are higher than thou. If thou sinnest, what dost thou against him? If thy transgressions be multiplied, what dost thou unto him? If thou art righteous, what givest thou him? Or what receiveth he at thine hand? For thine own sake therefore, God thy Maker doth this. For thine own sake he calleth thee to serve him. For thine own sake, he demands a part of thy time, to be restored to him that gave thee all. Acknowledge his love. Learn, while on earth to praise the King of heaven. Spend this day, as thou hopest to spend that day which never shall have an end.

The Lord not only hallowed the Sabbath-day, but he hath also blessed it, so that you are an enemy to yourself. You throw away your own blessing, if you neglect to keep this day holy. It is a day of special grace. * Awake, arise, let God give thee his blessing! Receive a token of his love! Cry to him that thou mayest find the riches of his grace in Christ Jesus! You do not know how many more of these days of salvation you may have. And how dreadful would it be, to be called hence in the abuse of his proffered mercy. O what mercy hath God prepared for you, if you do not trample it under foot. What mercy hath he prepared for them that fear him even before the sons of men! A peace which the world cannot give; joy, that no man taketh from you; rest from doubt and fear, and sorrow of heart; and love, the beginning of heaven. And are not these for you? Are they not purchased for you by him who loved you, and gave himself for you? You a rebel against God! You who have so long crucified him afresh! Now look unto him whom you have pierced! Now say, Lord, it is enough. I have fought against thee long enough. I yield, Jesus Master, have mercy on me.

On this day, above all, cry aloud and spare not, to the God who heareth prayer. This is the day he hath set apart for the good of your soul, both in this world and that which is to come. Never more disappoint the design of his love, either by worldly business or idle diversions. * Let his love be ever before your eyes. Let his praise be ever in your mouth. You have lived many years in folly and sin. Now live one day unto the Lord.

You have heard of God's judgments even upon earth against the profaners of this day, and yet these are but as drops of that storm of fiery indignation which will at last devour his adversaries. O my friend know the privilege you enjoy. Now remember the Sabbath-day to keep it holy. Your day of life and of grace is far spent. Make haste to use the time you have. Improve the last hours of your day. Now seek the things which make for your peace, that you may stand before the face of God with pleasure for ever.