Rejecting Probation After Christ Comes
By E. R. Seaman
BRO. SMITH: — As I have no sympathy with the doctrine of probation after Christ comes, and believing as I do that the night is far spent and the day is at hand, I have felt it duty to write you to let you know my position, feeling for the advancement of truth. I could not forbear, as an honest man before God, to express as publicly my mistakes as they have been before made public. Wherein my influence has been cast against the truth by being identified with those that deny the past as not of God, I am sorry, and wish to counteract the influence thus exerted and not dishonor God, or be a stumbling-block longer in the way of any. I should have ere this spoken if Satan had not hindered. I entertain no hardness nor exclusive sectarian spirit against any, but feel prompted from a sense of duty to thus publicly express my faith in the past, which I can never give up, unless I give up all religion as spurious. To me it would be very absurd to think of being one that should give the First Angel's Message over again, and I cannot see how any one could enter into that work, after the knowledge and light that has been given on the subject. I can imagine how I should reason against facts and self-evident truths: I should know that there were two more messages to follow before the Lord could come: that would consequently put off his coming some time in the future; and I ask, how can any one that has felt the spirit95of the Third Angel's Message, in confidence enter into such a work? I am satisfied that this doctrine, together with mercy and probation after the advent, is not calculated to prepare a people for that sudden destruction that is coming on all the dwellers on the earth. The Word informs us that ye brethren are not in darkness that that day should overtake you as a thief, but ye are the children of the light. Why? Why, because when they cry "peace and safety," then sudden destruction cometh, and they shall not escape. This cry may have a two-fold meaning. It may relate to the evil servants that are saying in their hearts, The Lord delayeth his coming; and it may refer particularly to the national cry, which was advertised to be celebrated on the 29th of May in Great Britain. It is, I believe, one of the signs by which the children of God may know that the time of trouble is near. I wish to realize it more, and feel to heed the caution of the Saviour not to be overcharged with the things he has referred to. The effect they have had upon me I hope to overcome. I believe the whole tenor of the New Testament teaches the doctrine that the work of mercy closes with this dispensation; also that the design of the gospel was not to convert the Jews, but to take out of the Gentiles a people for his name, that the true Israel might be all made up. The learned doctor, Cotton Mather, remarks on the strong proof text, [Rom. xi, 25, 26,] that we have a wrong translation of this scripture. He says that it should read, So all Israel shall be saved by a filling up of the Gentiles. This looks like truth, and harmonizes with other portions of Scripture, and destroys the supposed foundation of the Jewish fabric. Some things that I did not dictate have appeared, for which I am made responsible, and have thereby injured the feelings of dear brethren, which I regret. Also that in any investigation for truth I have been estranged from my natural brethren. The confidence of brethren injuriously sacrificed may not be regained, but I hope by a patient continuance in well-doing, to seek the reward of eternal life, and leave the former things in the hands of the God of all the earth, that will do right and show mercy. Pray for me. E. R. SEAMAN.
Oswego, N. Y.