The Cleansing of the Sanctuary
By Manning Curry
BRO. WHITE:—Some six short months have rolled away since I saw the light of the holy Sabbath. It has been a source of joy and much gladness to unworthy me. In my last letter I stated that I had not examined all points in the message. I had seen that there was a sanctuary in heaven, and that the Earth or the land of Palestine was not the sanctuary, but184only the place where God designs locating it in the glorious Restitution. I am now satisfied that the work of cleansing the sanctuary has been in progress since A. D. 1844. Important events mark the beginning and ending of the seventy weeks, and our faith is based on conclusive evidence that the seventy weeks are the first part of the 2300 days. Therefore whoever would disconnect these two prophetic periods must give clear light for so doing. I have been out some six weeks in company with Bro. M. E. Cornell, visiting the brethren. This dear brother has met the strong tide of prejudice through this country. Most of the time he has been alone in the field, yet by the grace of God he is a terror to the enemies of the present truth, and a praise to its lovers. I return to my little family with the following impressions relative to my new class of brethren. 1. That while they are very zealous for the truth, there is nothing like fanaticism countenanced among them. Their highest joy is the triumph of truth, not a single point merely, but all the truth of our holy religion. True, their sympathies are largely drawn out for that holy precept of our heavenly Father's divine law; viz., the Sabbath of the Lord our God, that is so much hated by this degenerate age. God has promised many good things to that people that tremble at his word, and say, "Speak, Lord thy servant heareth." 2. That they are not so much attached to party, as to fellowship iniquity. They believe in, and carry into practice the strictest kind of Bible order in their churches. Not only do they require men to keep holy the Sabbath day, but every other precept of that law. And this is not all: the faith of Jesus must be obeyed to the letter. And while obedience to the whole truth is made a test of fellowship, our brethren make a proper allowance for the traditions handed down from our fathers. The fable schools of these modern times have poisoned and bewildered the public mind. Honest souls that are disposed to receive all the truth as God is developing it, have a great sacrifice to make, and much wisdom is needed as well as patience to lead them understandingly into all truth. I have conversed with a number of ministers in my late tour. It is enough to convince any honest man that they are opposing truth, to hear their fable arguments relative to the Sabbath. Some take one position and some another, and when I hear them in their sermons resort to blackguard and bar-room vulgarity, it shows that they lack for argument. It was truly strengthening to my faith in the truth of the Sabbath, to hear Bro. Cornell reply to two of the popular ministers, who came out against the Sabbath, and other features of the Advent faith. I could but think of the foxes in the desert. I am glad that while our faith is opposed by strong and popular influences, that the Lord of truth has made it the high privilege of his people to be thoroughly furnished, with strong weapons to slay its enemies. My prayer is that God will send forth more laborers into the vineyard. By the grace of God I hope to be an honor to this last message of mercy to a fallen world. Although I am poor in this world, yet the Lord requires of us according to our ability. My prayer is that God may keep his little flock unspotted, amid the perils of the approaching storm. At the present time I find myself tied at home by the sickness of my family yet I can use the time in studying the word of God. I am making some effort to get the ears of my old congregation that was badly scattered last July when their earthly shepherd was slain by the mighty power of God's two-edged sword. I find some that are disposed to hear. It does appear that there is an overruling hand creating a strong desire in many to hear on the present truth. Yours in hope, MANNING CURRY,