Defending the Sabbath Truth
By William B. Maxson
DEAR BRO. WHITE:—Through the friendly offices of BRO. F. F. Denison, I have for some time received the Review and Herald, by which I have been both pleased and edified. It is very gratifying to one who loves truth for the truth's sake, to know that God is raising up those who will fearlessly speak for him in the defense of his holy law; and especially of his long neglected Sabbath. I have long been somewhat familiar with the Sabbath controversy, and with the varied and constantly changing sophistry employed by the opposers of the Sabbath of the Bible. And how powerless is their opposition when brought in conflict with the smooth stones taken from the streams of the river which make glad the City of God. I regard Bro. Andrews' defense of the Sabbath, in his Articles published in the Review and Herald a manly and Christian work, and entitles him to the love and esteem of all the friends of God, and his truth. It is indeed pleasing to see that the weapons used in the defense of this item of Christian morality, are the same by whomsoever used, and we rejoice that they are such as God has himself prepared and furnished in his Word.—They may be despised by the world, and a worldly church, because they are neither moulded nor tempered by worldly art, but they have been, they are, and they ever will be "mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds." We should not be disheartened because of the enemies of God's truth. A corrupt and sinning world, a worldly church, and worldly-minded teachers of religion are what they always have been. They have always been leagued together in opposition to a pure exposition of God's law. And they cannot sustain the interest and spirit of the world so effectually by pursuing a different course. And by this course they bear unwilling testimony that we are living in the last time. We ought to know that there will come in the last days scoffers at God's truth, men who will not endure sound doctrine, who will turn away their ears from hearing the truth and shall be turned unto fables. May Sabbath-keepers, especially the defenders of God's law, have an unction from the Holy One, and know all things needful for their work. I am pleased to see that the interests of the children are looked after by our Advent brethren. The little work issued from your press, entitled, The Youth's Instructor, the first Number of which I have received, I think well calculated for usefulness as a juvenile periodical, in directing the youthful mind in the path of virtue and religion. It ought to obtain an extensive patronage. Your unworthy brother in Christ, WM. B. MAXSON. Leonardsville, N. Y., Aug. 20th, 1852.