The Seventh-Day Sabbath
By A. G. Carter
Dear Bro. White:—Your valuable paper and pamphlets have been presented to me to read by Bro. Bodwell. After a thorough examination of them together with the Word of God, I am compelled to acknowledge the Sabbath has not been changed nor abolished. Here is the testimony that first convinced me that the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord, and not the first. Matt. xxviii, 1, reads, "In the end of the Sabbath, as it began to dawn towards the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre." Mark xvi, 1, 2, presents the same testimony. Also Luke xxiii, 56, testifies to the same, with the addition, "they rested the Sabbath day according to the commandment." (See Ex. xx, 8, 11.) All of the above witnesses agree that the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord: for see, the Sabbath is ended before the first day dawns; another witness, the Sabbath is past before the first day; and a third witness, "they rested the Sabbath day according to the commandment." "Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, It is said they did not understand this change so soon after the crucifixion; but Christ says, "All things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you." John xv, 15. Luke also says in his preface, (first chapter,) "They were eye-witnesses from the beginning, and that he had a perfect understanding from the very first." This is proof to me they were not deceived, but I think Christ's words are sufficient to settle the question. He says, Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law till all be fulfilled, Matt. v, 17, 18. See also Luke xvi, 17. It is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail. Now all in their senses must acknowledge the heavens and earth have not passed, and until they do, the law respecting God's holy Sabbath will remain in full force. The 19th verse of Matt. v, reads, Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven. This commandment respecting the Sabbath in my estimation is far from being the least, for it is classed with those written upon the first table of stone. Christ calls these the first and greatest commandments. Matt. xxii, 38. Then if those who break one of the least commandments (those that designate our duty to man) are to be called the least in the kingdom of heaven, what must become of those who break one of the greatest! I have this for the reader to answer. Last August myself and companion commenced keeping the Sabbath of the Lord, and notwithstanding the trials and persecutions we endure and receive for so doing, we esteem it a privilege and a blessing to take up our cross and follow the Lord through evil as well as good report. Bro. and Sister Bodwell, myself and companion, meet every Sabbath for a little prayer meeting. This may look like little business to some; but it is a feast to our waiting souls to pray with and for each other, and to talk about heavenly things. We have never been blessed with hearing any of the lectures on the present truth; but have reason to rejoice that your publications have found their way to this place. It is a source of great enjoyment to us to read the many testimonies, from the brethren scattered abroad of like precious faith. The third angel's message, makes the second coming of our Saviour plain to our minds. Yours seeking for immortality.
A. G. Carter.
Rubicon, Dodge Co., Wis.