The Law and Commandments of God
By Luther Paine
DEAR BRO. WHITE:—We are yet loving the present truth, and with glad hearts hail its weekly arrivals through the medium of the Review, in which from many of the dear saints, we are entertained with matter of cheering intelligence and scriptural worth. We are almost inclined to envy those who enjoy the privilege of meeting together with the remnant on the Sabbath. We have long been praying and trying to be so situated as to enjoy those priceless privileges, but hindrance yet remains. Truly we are living in “perilous times.” God is dishonored. His law and commandments are disregarded by those who make high profession of piety, and believe that the Lord will come this year. One of this class, who stood well in 1844, has recently been visiting us. But O the sad change! We presented Bible truth relative to the present existence56of the law and the commandments of God, and selected Paul's unanswerable testimony of the force and existence of the law and commandments in his day, and consequently, in all coming time; and also the plain testimony of James. And then in order to place the key stone in the mighty arch of Bible truth, presented the truthful sayings of our soon coming Lord, by whose word every wicked mouth will be stopped, and become guilty before God. But to our surprise, the person alluded to, would not admit of any law and commandments binding on man, this side of the crucifixion, except the law and commandments of Christ. This course of dishonoring God, in taking away from his Book of Prophecy, these all-absorbing truths, in which the whole plan of salvation is connected, is truly astonishing. If this case is a sample of the New-Timeists, we are led to cry, “How are the mighty fallen?” And all this laborious effort in order to get rid of the fourth commandment. “If the foundation be destroyed, what shall the righteous do.” Thanks be ascribed to the Lord forever, we have no fears for the safety of our position. Earth's and hell's votaries combined against God's truth, will be like beating the air. We have abundant evidence that the Devil goes at large yet. Praying that success may continue to attend the third angel's message, I remain yours, loving God and all his truth.
LUTHER PAINE.
Ware, Mass.