DEAR BRO. WHITE:—My mind has been dwelling upon the incorporation (so called by the editor of the Harbinger) of the moral precepts of the law into the New Testament, or law of Christ. Speaking of the precepts of the law, he says:
“They were incorporated into the New Testament, or law of Christ, and are now in force on Jew and Greek: not, however, because they were once a part of the Levitical law, but because they are just, and have, by our great Lawgiver, been made a part of the perfect law.”—Harbinger Sept. 1851.
Now if this is a correct position, then the proof is good; but if the position is incorrect, then the whole fabric falls to the ground. We will now look at the foundation, and I think it will be seen that it is built on the sand. Matt. vii, 26, 27.
The incorporation, or re-enactment of a law, cannot take place, until it is first abolished. That this was done at the cross, M. labors to show in the same column of his article. But let M. present the text to prove that Christ did incorporate one of the moral precepts of the Levitical law, into the law of Christ, after he nailed it to the cross, and we will believe.
Again, Jesus has not even made mention of one of the ten commandments, after his crucifixion, much less, given an account of a re-enactment or incorporation.
Now let us look at M.’s proof presented [Matt. xxii, 35—44,] to show this incorporation. Strange proof, indeed! It is what our Saviour said about the law before the crucifixion, where it is said to be abolished to prove a re-enactment after the crucifixion! M. says that all the law, though moral, just and good, was desolved, (or nailed to the cross) to give place to one more perfect. See Voice of Truth, May 14th, 1845. Is it consistent to say that a just and good law was desolved, to give place to one more perfect?
“The Lord is well pleased for his righteousness’ sake; he will magnify the law, and make it honorable.” Isa. xlii, 21. I understand to magnify is to enlarge. But M. would have it mean, to desolve, abolish, do away.
The lawgiver, Christ, (as M. calls him,) has not told us that the moral precepts of the Levitical law were, or would be, incorporated into the law of Christ. And we say that his own testimony proves too much for his position. He proves his own witness [Matt. xxii, 35—44] slain, abolished, taken out of the way, and nailed to the cross, previous to the incorporation.
Let the reader take notice: he has proved his witness now dead. And how, or by what rule, he presses this text into his service to prove his point, we fail to see, unless he admits it to have a resurrection. If this is admitted, then all the law and the prophets are alive after the crucifixion, for Christ says that they all hang on the two great commandments, the Sabbath not excepted.
I fail to see that M. has one text, in all the teachings of Christ, or the apostles, to support his theory, that he tries to make his readers believe. Let Jesus testify: “Think not that I am come to destroy the law or the prophets, I am not come to destroy; but to fulfill. For verily I say unto you, till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.” Matt. v, 17, 18. I dare not correct Christ’s language, in order to harmonize it with my views.
I would say a few words to the dear saints; that we have followed down through the first and second angel’s messages by sight, and are now left for a while to walk by faith. But, Oh, how many feet have slipped during the dark and cloudy day. Like a doubting Thomas, except they see the prints of the nails, they could not believe. Many have grieved away the Spirit and have left the truth, to feed on husks. They were without light, just as we were entering the most dangerous part of our journey—the narrows filled with eddies and reefs, where hundreds have foundered their barks. How many have become impatient, and run off in the bewildering fogs of Spiritualism, or rashly denied the work of God, and lost their interest in the coming Saviour. While a few, like the army of Gideon, have, by the grace of God, followed on by faith, anxious to see the end of the journey. Now and then a glimmering ray of light would shine on our pathway, till at last the clear light of the third angel’s message has illuminated the remaining portion of this dangerous coast.
The rocks of self-esteem, the reefs of covetousness, the eddies of error, the fogs of fanaticism, the quick-sands of insensibility, the shoals of unbelief, and various other dangers, are to be guarded against. Nothing but constant watchfulness, prayer, confidence in the Captain, and a strict observance to his commands, will insure a safe entrance into the harbor.
We have much to do yet, and while we pass the wrecks of others, it may be possible to pick up some that would otherwise perish. We must now be active, and know that our whole soul is in the work.—It is not enough to confess the truth; but we must be willing to send it to others. To do this, a sacrifice must be made, and that truth that has gladdened our hearts, must be sent to them. Nothing short of love to our neighbor as ourselves, will answer now. The words of Jesus, [Luke xii,] “Sell that ye have,” are certainly in force now, and who will obey? Those that love God and man.
O, who will not lend a helping hand in this great work? The work is glorious, and who does not want to share in it? Our past history may look strange, and dark to a worldly mind; but to me, it looks glorious, and my heart is filled with joy in view of the whole history of the past, while the Israel of God have followed in this divinely illuminated path, which shines more and more by the effulgence of truth, until we have approached the very twilight of eternal day.
The great land-marks have brought us directly to our present position. Then, brethren and sisters, cheer up, the Lord is coming. And as we approach the end of our journey, the evidences begin to thicken, and our path is now made plain. It is now illuminated by the blazing light of truth. Praise heaven’s High King for his goodness towards us. Amen.