THE position of those who observe all ten of the commandments of God, as they are given in the Bible, and who are looking for the soon coming of his dear Son from heaven, is indeed bold, and is calculated to separate us from those who love this present world with all its customs, pleasures and follies. Those who observe the Sabbath of the fourth commandment, and see the institution in its sacredness and vast importance, cannot join the mass in reverencing in its stead an institution of man. And if they are expecting the Restorer soon to come and "make all things new;" if they are looking to the bright world to come for their eternal home, and are anticipating its holy joys, and perfect bliss, their love for this poor world, with all its sin, misery and death, must decrease and grow cold. It will be seen at once that the leading doctrines held by us as a people will, if lived out, separate us from an unbelieving world and a popular church.
But what saith the Scriptures relative to the true Church? "Not every one that saith Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven, but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven." "Enter ye in at the strait gate; for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat; because, strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it." Matt. vii, 13, 21. "If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him." 1 John ii, 15. "If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world the world would love his own; but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world." John xv, 18, 19.
We might give many more texts to the point, but these are sufficient to show that the true church is separated from the world. It is true that those who are separated from the world and popular professors, are not always the true church: fanaticism and strange doctrines often lead men to exclusive positions. But it is positively true that the true church will not be united with an unbelieving world, and world-loving church.
We occupy a most solemn position. The judgment just before us. The signs of its near approach thicken fast around us. Yet the world and church slumbering. O, what manner of persons ought we to be; and with what zeal should we labor to arouse others. Those who teach the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, are engaged in a holy calling. Those who profess to keep them should be holy—should walk softly before the Lord. What can be more holy than the law of the great God, and the faith of his dear Son.
Those who occupy this position may expect severe trials. It has ever been God's plan to try and prove his people; but the Scriptures warrant us to expect29that the "remnant" who "keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ," in the midst of the perils of the last days, will be called to pass through peculiarly trying scenes. The dragon, the Devil, is wroth, and even now is making war with the remnant. Rev. xii, 17.
From the unbelieving world we have but little or no opposition and trial. They are generally ready to admit that we have the true Sabbath, as all unprejudiced men, who are free from sectarianism, are. It is too plain a case for honest, unprejudiced men to question, after they have heard the evidences in its favor. But there are some slight difficulties arising from acting out our faith, while having to do with men of the world who make no profession of religion.
From the sectarian churches we very often receive opposition of the bitterest cast, though we find among them many honest inquirers after the truth, and a willing mind to obey. Sectarianism prevents the mass from seeing and acknowledging the truth, and the love of this world, with its cold, selfish friendship, hinders many from embracing and keeping the truth. From the churches we feel much more of the dragon’s hate, than from the world.
But from many who profess the Advent faith, we receive the bitterest opposition. Here selfish interests are at stake, which, added to the common antipathy to the true Sabbath, makes their opposition generally most bitter, and in some cases extremely abusive. First-day and no-Sabbath Preachers and Editors may reasonably calculate that their patrons and people will give their influence elsewhere, after embracing the true Sabbath. The Sabbath and Sanctuary questions are so very plain, that the truth has thus far triumphed over all the efforts of our opponents. Here we would give all the glory to God, who has revealed his truth so plainly that the common people may defend it when attacked by the worldly wise.
But those trials which arise among ourselves are the most severe. It is unfortunate for the cause that some men of little or no moral worth, profess the truth, who appear to run well for a while, till those not the most discerning have them in great estimation, and they obtain some influence; then the dragon uses them as his chosen instruments to divide and distract the flock.
Our opponents can do nothing against the truth in meeting us on Bible ground. Their efforts stir up the people to investigate, which results in the conversion of some to the truth, and the advancement of the cause. The dragon chooses to work through professed Sabbath-keepers; for in this way he hopes to keep the brethren divided, occupying precious time in church difficulties. In this way he can most effectually weaken the church, and shut her light out from the world around.
It is not our duty to leave the work of God to contend with unreasonable men. This Satan designs that we shall do, but God has something better for us to attend to. It is our duty to point out and warn the flock to beware of the influence of those who cause divisions, then leave the matter in the hands of God. If a very few are deceived and led astray by them, the honest children of God will soon see them in their true character. They may now delight themselves in the publication of misrepresentations, and falsehoods; but their unbecoming, and even vulgar language employed, shows the taste, judgment and character of the men. Scoffers are delighted with this form of opposition, which evinces that the dragon is in it. These things will open the eyes of the sincere; and those who will not be convinced by these things, after having time for reflection, can be of no service to the church.
Then let us attend to the work to which the Master has called us. In this way we shall disappoint Satan, who intends to keep us busy in these difficulties. As long as we as a people adhere to, and seek to live out the pure doctrines of the Bible, we may expect trials of this kind. The greatest of all trials experienced by the apostle Paul, was “perils among false brethren.” His advice to Timothy in such cases is to the point:—
“Follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes. And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient; in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves: if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; and that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.” 2 Tim. ii, 22–26.