The Law and Salvation by Grace
By Elizabeth Dow
DEAR BRO. WHITE :—I have noticed with peculiar interest, the following remark of Bro. N. W. Rockwell, in a late number of the Review. "When any person breaks, or disregards any one, or all of the ten precepts of the immutable law of God, he is no longer under grace." I have thought much of the subject, and am compelled to believe that it is even so, although it cuts off hope in the case of some who are very dear to me. My heart has been pained, by hearing opposers of the Advent cause (for want of better argument, perhaps) accuse commandment-keepers of attempting to obtain salvation by works of the law, undervaluing the precious Saviour, and the price paid for our redemption. Now this is either a great mistake, or willful ignorance. Do they not know that to whom much is forgiven, the same loveth much, and that by the law is the knowledge of sin? How can we understand our errors, or discover the magnitude and enormity of our guilt in the sight of God, unless we have right views of the extent and spirituality of his law, and realize its claims upon us? But when we are brought to see that the commandments are so exceeding broad that they extend to every thought, we are ready to smite on the breast and cry, "God be merciful to me a sinner." Then we feel the need of a helper who is mighty to save. It is written, [1 John iii, 4.] "Sin is the transgression of the law." And was it not sin that crucified the Son of God? Yea, verily. He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities. And will those who love him continue to transgress, and thus crucify him afresh, and re-open all his wounds? O, no. Love constraineth to obedience.—Let none pretend to the faith of Jesus, who, with the light that now shineth, can disregard the commandments of God. Here I wish to sketch a few words of my own experience, humiliating though it must be. Let truth be magnified, whoever may be abased. I can truly adopt the language of the Poet, "My guilt appeared but small before,
Till terribly I saw
How perfect, holy, just, and pure,
Was thine eternal law." This I had never seen but partially, until the voice of the third angel awakened attention to the subject. Examination of the Sabbath question led me to fear that I was not guiltless with regard to other commandments, and immediately I set about the work of self-examination, in the light of each precept separately considered. And oh, how appalling was the result! The first made me an idolater, as really so as the worshippers of Juggernut. True, I had never bowed to a graven image, but had suffered worldly objects to occupy a larger place in my heart, than the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, from whom cometh every good and perfect gift. O, what baseness! The third convicted me of taking his fearful and holy name in vain. Not in the use of what is termed profane language, but, strange to tell, in my very devotional exercises. By reading his word carelessly, and indifferently, by cold and formal prayers, and in singing, how oft had the sacred name been spoken, with a spirit of lightness and vanity. With regard to the fourth, I was doubly guilty.—Not only was the mark of the beast found in the forehead, but the day that I stupidly supposed was the Sabbath of the Lord, had seldom been kept holy as he requires. In short, I found myself in a state of condemnation, justly exposed to the wrath of God. And in view of all this, how precious, how exceedingly precious, lovely, and glorious did the Saviour appear, as he sweetly manifested himself to my soul, able, willing, to save to the uttermost, all that come to God by him. Why, his very name is sweeter music to the repenting sinner, than all else that ever was heard this side of heaven. Why was he called Jesus? "For he shall save his people from their sins." Dear brethren and sisters, is not this just what we need, and what we receive through him? Pardon for the past, and salvation, present and eternal. O, yes, his law-abiding people know that he is an all-sufficient Saviour, and that without him they can do nothing. I do thank the Lord, and hope to thank and praise him in his everlasting kingdom, for the third angel's message. Without it, how would my salvation have been possible, since none but those that do his commandments can have right to the tree of life, and admittance into the City. Truly, he is not willing that any should perish. Many thanks are due, also, to the brethren and sisters through whose faithfulness I received knowledge of the truth; likewise to those who have been mindful of my low estate, and rendered pecuniary aid.—May the blessing of the Lord that maketh rich and addeth no sorrow therewith, be theirs; and they receive an hundred fold in this life, and in the world to come, life everlasting. Yours, hoping, by the grace of God, to overcome and inherit all things. ELIZABETH DOW. Washington, N. H., March, 1853.