p. 94 | COMMUNICATIONS by John Norton Loughborough

Publishing Committee · Rochester, N. Y. · Apr 11, 1854

COMMUNICATIONS.

By John Norton Loughborough

From Bro. Loughborough.

DEAR BRO. WHITE :—Since last I wrote you, the Lord has blessed us in trying to advance the message of the third angel. On First-day, March 12th, I endeavored to answer a discourse of a Methodist minister in which he talked largely of the example and testimony of the "Fathers" for Sunday-keeping. I think he must have forgotten Dr. Adam Clarke's advice who is a standard of the M. E. Church.

"We should be cautious how we appeal to heathens, however eminent, in behalf of morality; because much may be collected from them on the other side. In like manner, we should take heed how we quote the Fathers in proof of the doctrines of the gospel; because he who knows them best, knows, that on many of those subjects, they blow hot and cold."—Autobiography of A. Clark, p. 134.

After describing the scene of terror at Mount Sinai, (as he termed it) he stated "The law knew no mercy, every man who violated its precepts, must die; must be stoned." Joshua, said he, at the head of the whole host of Israel, must have broken the Sabbath, as they traveled around Jericho seven consecutive days, and in all probability went around seven times on the Sabbath. But he did not tell us how it was that the law which "knew no mercy," permitted a nation of transgressors to escape. It appears, said he, that God himself worked upon that day for them, and threw down the walls of Jericho. It does not appear consistent, that the people's act of marching around the city on the Sabbath with the ark, was a violation of the law that was in the ark. Neither does it seem consistent that God's act of throwing down the walls, (if it was upon that day) was contrary to his own precepts in regard to that day. He had much to say upon the familiar text of the Sabbath opposers, "Hear him." Said he, we will hear him tell a man whom he healed to carry his bed on the Sabbath. He then quoted Neh. xiii, and Jer. xviii, to show that the act was a violation of the fourth commandment. But we wish to hear Christ too, and not trust all to the ears of others.

Matt. v, 18, 19. "Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven." Christ did not transgress his own precepts and teachings, he did not break the commandments. Although a strong effort was made to oppose the fourth commandment, it only served to awaken an anxiety in other places to hear on this subject.

On Fifth-day, March 16th, commenced a series of meetings in a new place four miles from Milan, held over First-day, deep interest seemed to pervade the meetings throughout. I have just finished another course of lectures in Perkins. We believe the word will accomplish that whereunto it is sent. The way opens here in every direction, and souls are inquiring after truth. Lord, speed the work, is my prayer.

J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH. Milan, O., Mar. 31st, 1854.