Sabbath Discussion in Wisconsin.
By Julius M. Todd
As it will probably be interesting to our eastern friends to know how the Sabbath question is managed in this section of Wisconsin, I thought to give them an inkling through the Recorder. To begin, I will say, that some three weeks ago I was invited to lecture on that subject at a place called Bluffton, some five miles from where I live. Notice was given accordingly; and Sunday, Aug. 7th, was the day. A large concourse of people assembled, many more than the school-house would hold, and so we adjourned to the grove, where I had the pleasure of addressing an attentive audience for two hours, in which I reviewed the pretended claims of the first day, weighed them in the balances of the sanctuary, and found them wanting in every respect. Jehovah's Sabbath was also vindicated, and its claims enforced by a "thus saith the Lord." After my lecture was through, Mr. Cobb, a Wesleyan Methodist minister, rose, and read a paper which he had previously written, in which he attempted to show that the seventh day would be the Sabbath if we only knew which it is, but as time has been lost, the septenary cycle has become deranged, and we know nothing about it. In his closing remarks, however, wishing to put us to shame, he assumed that the seventh day now is four days from the original seventh day, whereas Sunday is only three days from it, so that Sunday-keepers are nearer right than Seventh-day Baptists. After this he went up north and down south, where day and night are of six months duration; said that the earth was round, and turned on its axis every twenty-four hours; subpoenaed Gabriel as his witness, (but he did not appear;) challenged the world to confront him, and overturn his position; and then said he objected to Eld. Todd saying any thing, and sat down. Of course I paid little attention to his objection, but answered as I thought he deserved. This brought down his wrath upon me, which he exhibited in no very becoming manner. I made no reply, and just as we were dismissed, notice was given that Rev. Mr. Bristol, of Dartford, would lecture on the subject in two weeks. Yesterday being the day, I went over to hear him; but he did not appear, and Mr. Davis lectured on the subject. He took no new ground, but said that Christ arose on Sunday; that the day had been kept from the time of Christ to the present; that God had blessed the church in keeping the first day, which he would not have done if it were wrong; and lastly, that the world was round, and therefore there can be no holy day. He gave liberty, but I had no chance to put in a word, for he and Mr. Cobb disputed till the time was spent, and exhibited considerable of "Adam the first"—so much so, that Mr. C. left the house, muttering as he went. I confess the scene was somewhat amusing, and I was reminded of two things. 1. What the man said when he saw the hawk and weasel engaged in conflict; and, 2. What our Lord said about a house being divided against itself. Notice was given of another lecture in two weeks. Should you give this a place in your paper, I shall keep you advertised of Sabbath proceedings in this section of the West. Berlin, Wis., Aug. 15th, 1853.