E. S. SHEFFIELD by E. S. Sheffield

Publishing Committee · Rochester, N. Y. · Oct 28, 1852

E. S. SHEFFIELD

By E. S. Sheffield

From Bro. Sheffield.

DEAR BRO. WHITE:—I feel it a duty to say a few words at this time in regard to the position I now occupy towards you and the world.

And, first, let me say, that as we have one Master, even Christ, and all we are brethren, let us show to the world our relationship to each other by brotherly kindness and love to all that are willing to follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth; for by this we are to know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. I have been much strengthened by the communications through the Review and Herald. And although I have not participated in any of the former movements of the Advent cause, yet I feel bound to acknowledge my firm belief that it is the work of an Almighty hand. Everything has been done in regular order and in the right time. I know that many scoff, and say that we are fanatics, &c. But why are we called deluded? For this reason, we are willing to place implicit confidence in the testimony of our Lord. But who are they that scoff the hardest and rage the most? My short experience shows that they are generally those that profess to be followers of, and looking for (a great distance in the future) the coming of the same Lord: But our Saviour said, while on earth, that the servant that should say, my Lord delayeth his coming, the Lord of that servant shall come in a day he is not aware of, and appoint him his portion with hypocrites.

If ever there has been a people on the earth that has placed entire confidence in the word of God, and that alone, it has been the believers in the time, as stated by the Prophet. And I can see clearly that it is that confidence in God's word that has led them step by step up to their present position. And I feel to thank God, and say, I know in whom I have believed; and they that put their trust in the Lord shall never be confounded.

Dear brethren, I do not expect to meet you all, until brought into his presence, but praise the Lord, I do hope to meet you then, and the time is not far distant, we all must know, who take Jesus at his word. If we do not believe all that he has said, how can we have all his testimony? The mass of professing Christians at the present day, in order to get rid of the Advent doctrine, try to connect the signs that Christ said should precede his coming, with the destruction of Jerusalem, because he said, "this generation shall not pass till all these things be fulfilled." If the signs there spoken of refer to the destruction of Jerusalem only, then it is certain that the Judgment is past, and we are all past the time of redemption; for Jesus said, [Luke xxi, 28,] "And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads, for your redemption draweth nigh." If, as he says, this generation is not to pass till all is fulfilled, and the generation has reference to those that were then living on the earth, then all things must have been fulfilled nearly 1800 years since. And if so, why are we trusting in Christ for salvation, so long after all things are fulfilled, and the day of redemption past?

The day of the Lord is not past, we all know, therefore it is yet to come, and it must be near at hand.—The time as given by the angel to Daniel is past.—The signs, as given by the Lord himself, are in the past, excepting the sign of the Son of man. Then surely we ought to lift up our heads and rejoice, knowing that our redemption draweth nigh.

May we all who love his appearing, be up and doing, that we may have living faith that works by love and purifies the heart. May we thus be found obedient to his word, looking for our Lord.

E. S. SHEFFIELD

Fort Atkinson, Wis., Oct. 14th, 1852.