The Sabbath Begins at Sunset
By John Nevins Andrews
To THE BRETHREN:—The subject presented in the above article, is one of great importance. The testimony of the Bible relative to the time of commencing the Sabbath is here brought together, that it may speak for itself. The result of the investigation is the firm conviction that the commencement and close of each day is marked by the setting of the sun. It will be asked why this conclusion was not earlier arrived at? The answer is this: the subject has not been hitherto thoroughly investigated. In making this statement I would frankly acknowledge my own fault. It is always duty to correct our errors when we see them; and, however, sincerely we may have acted in the past, we can no longer act so, if when we see a fault as such, or a mistake we refuse to acknowledge it. It may be proper to state the circumstances under which the above article was written. Last August, brother White and other brethren requested me to give the subject a thorough investigation. This I immediately endeavored to do, devoting to the subject each day, as much time as my strength would admit. In a short time I became entirely satisfied that the unanimous testimony of the Scriptures is, that each day commences with the setting of the sun. The Seventh-day Baptists have always held to this doctrine, but I have never happened to meet with their views. Had I done so, I should not have remained in error on this subject. But it will be asked, Did you not learn the truth from the Messenger? I answer, No. The article here presented was written several weeks before the M. had published anything on the point. I can have no fellowship for a sheet conducted in the manner that the M. has hitherto been. But the testimony of the Bible is equally precious though it may have been presented for the purpose of envy or strife. Besides this, as I now learn a considerable number of our brethren have long been convinced that the Sabbath commences at sunset. J. N. A. Battle Creek, Mich., Nov. 12th, 1855.