The Testimony of Three Witnesses.
By P. Miller, jr.
It is said that “in the mouth of two or three witnesses, shall every word be established.” Therefore, let us re-examine the witnesses. “And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily my Sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am the Lord that doth sanctify you.” Ex. xxxi, 12, 13. Let us next listen to the prayer of the “faithful and True Witness.” “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.” Jno. xvii, 17. Next let us introduce David, the sweet singer of Israel: “thy righteousness is an everlasting *righteousness, and thy law is the truth.” “Thou art near, O Lord; and all thy commandments are truth.” Ps. cxix, 142, 151. Therefore, according to this testimony, that memorable prayer of the great Teacher of Israel, will be fulfilled in those who keep all the commandments. “If thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.” Let us next listen to John, ‘that disciple whom Jesus loved.’ “By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments.” 1 Jno. v, 2, 3. Thus, we learn from these faithful testimonies; that the same glorious truth, which had the power to sanctify Israel, four thousand years ago, has the same sanctifying influence, on those who are willing to receive it even now. This is not a tithe of the testimony that might be presented, establishing the perpetuity of the “Royal Law” but we humbly trust it is sufficient to establish those who love truth on a sure foundation. Let no one, who may read this, suppose for a moment, that we base our hopes of salvation, on observing the letter of the law, only; for we are to obey it in “letter and in spirit too.” Nor is this all: For now commandeth God, “all men every where to repent,” and to “believe on his Son, Jesus Christ,” to “be baptized,” and to attend to all the requirements of the Gospel Covenant. Having the law written and engraved on our hearts and in our minds, [Jer. xxxi, 31,] we can with confidence join the holy prophet, in saying, “the path of the just, is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.” With confidence too, we can say with the Revelator: “here is the patience of the saints; here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the Faith of Jesus.” Trusting that we have chosen the Spirit of truth for our guiding star, we hope to be safely led thereby, into all truth, and to the haven of eternal rest. P. Miller, jr.
Laona, N. Y.