[From Bro. Bellows.] by J. K. Bellows

Publishing Committee · Saratoga Springs, N. Y. · Aug 19, 1851

[From Bro. Bellows.]

By J. K. Bellows

DEAR BRO. WHITE: The little band in this city, numbering thirteen, are strong in the present truth. Our meetings are powerful and interesting. The third angel's message is more glorious than ever, and the truth clusters around the message, and shines with so much brilliancy; it fills our souls with love and gratitude to God for his goodness in leading us in the way he has. And I can say with one of old, 'I being in the way, the Lord led me to the house of my master's brethren.'

The Chart which hangs before me is sublime. The great truths connected with the vision made plain upon tables, and proclaimed in the Advent movement, are if possible more glorious than ever before. And when I look back on the past, I see that the course of many of the Advent brethren was similar to that of Daniel, that man of God, in searching for the time. And though Daniel did not understand, because it was sealed up and closed till the time of the end, yet at the time of the end, God did move upon the hearts of men to search for the time, and it was made plain beyond the possibility of an overthrow, that the vision of the eighth of Daniel, with the seven times of the Gentiles, would end in the autumn of 1844. And from that place it cannot be wrested, and I give glory to God that I have never had a doubt on that point of time. Then it was that the angel lifted up his hand to heaven and sware by him that liveth forever and ever that time should be no longer; so it is useless to attach time to the third angel's message; for at the sounding of the seventh trumpet time ceased to be a part of the Advent faith. But now the just shall live by faith. How many among the Adventists are famishing for want of time. They cannot live without time. They must die then, for time is to be no longer. Time was the test of the Advent doctrine, the soul and life of it, so much so, that when '43 past, 'they all slumbered and slept,' and many of the members of the churches would join with us, if we would let time alone. But when the midnight cry came, with its thundering tones, it aroused the virgins. Time was the test then; but now the test is the Sabbath and the commandments of God. By the Sabbath I mean the seventh day, that which God has made holy above every other day of the week. And that holiness is felt and enjoyed in proportion as we keep the Sabbath holy unto the Lord. Praise the Lord, O my soul, and let all that is within me join to praise his holy name, for the power and glory that attends the keeping of the Sabbath of the Lord.

Yours in the patient waiting,

J. K. BELLOWS.

No. 366 Broom-street, New-York.