WHAT HINDERS? by Editor

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 6, 1856

WHAT HINDERS?

By Editor

WHAT hinders people from obeying the truth? What hinders them from observing the Sabbath? After a careful examination of this subject by the word of God, and the evidences therein contained, who can give a good reason why he should not obey these teachings?

Now there are many who have examined this subject, or at least have had the means of examining it, men of intelligence who could appreciate the force of argument, many of whom have for some time taken the REVIEW, yet they do not observe the day that God has enjoined upon all his accountable creatures. To them we more especially appeal. What hinders? What yet in your own mind stands in the way of your observing the Sabbath of the Lord our God?

Do you not find it taught in the Bible? It is there taught; and it is the only weekly Sabbath which is enforced by the teachings of Scripture on the human race.

Do you find anything said about its abolition, that you are in doubt whether or not it is now in existence? There is nothing said about its abolition: not one syllable; but there is much said of its perpetuity—even till heaven and earth pass.

Do you find any intimations given that another day should ever take the place of the seventh, so that you are now in doubt whether the seventh is the right day to be observed? You do not! There is nothing from which even an inference to that effect can justly be drawn. Be assured then that God will not give his glory to another. Isa. xlii, 8.

Do you find any testimony either expressed or implied that the first day of the week has superseded the seventh; and that therefore, the observance of the first day with the multitude, will answer the requirements of the fourth commandment? You do not; for it is nowhere recognised as a Sabbath, its observance is nowhere enjoined; it has nowhere any pre-eminence except as being the first day on which God wrought in the creation of the world; and the day on which Christ arose; but neither of these events can be justly commemorated by observing the day as a day of rest. Thursday was the day of the ascension, and Friday the day of the crucifixion; yet neither of these days are specially regarded on these accounts. Cease then to follow a multitude to do evil: Ex. xxiii, 2.

Do you find the example either of Christ or the apostles sanctioning the observance of the first day; so that you think it may be the day designed to be kept in the Christian dispensation? You do not; for there is not one such example notwithstanding it is so often appealed to with an air of triumph. We repeat, There is not one example of a meeting for religious worship from either Christ or his apostles, in the day-time of the first day of the week.

We have now mentioned every objection that need to arise in any honest mind previous to a final decision on this question, and have seen how utterly without foundation they are in the book of truth. What then hinders people from taking a decided stand in its favor? If the Sabbath has neither been abolished nor changed, if the same day is still in force as in the beginning, and if it is everywhere enjoined in the Bible, what hinders the inquirers for truth, we again ask, from commencing at once to keep the Sabbath-day according to the commandment?

To this we can only reply: Is it not that last, and in many minds that great objection—THE CROSS. When individuals are brought to choose between the two, truth or popularity, is it not too often the case that Truth has to bow to that soulless idol?

For ah! too many, when before their eyes, The narrow way and cross begin to rise, Though ample views of truth they once have got, Will shut their eyes, and say they see it not.

Are there not many who are stifling their conscience in view of plain truth? We fear there are; and if so, they lay themselves open to fearful charges; for they are both dishonest and foolishly sensitive to the opinions of their fellow-mortals. If there are any who have proceeded so far in their investigation of truth, that the cross alone remains before them, we hope to see them take it boldly up and bear it away even as Samson did the gates of Gaza, and they will find it is not so hard to be borne after all, and they will gain strength by so-doing.