SIDE QUESTIONS by William S. Ingraham

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Oct 1, 1857

"SIDE QUESTIONS."

By William S. Ingraham

BRO. SMITH: In perusing the Advent Herald, of Sept. 19th, 1857, I was somewhat astonished to learn the position of Eld. J. V. Himes, in relation to some particular points in connection with our faith. In his journal he speaks of calling on a Methodist preacher in Smethport Pa., and also of a conversation that passed between them. I should conclude from the manner he speaks of us in the Herald, that we are far beneath his dignity; and that we are looked upon as "selfish sectarians," and are represented as departing from the true faith, and taking "side questions for the purpose of bringing in strife and dissension."

But this is not all: In referring to his conversation with the preacher he further states that he seemed to be acquainted with the "shut-door, seventh-day Sabbath and annihilationists, as he called them." I would inquire what Eld. H. says of the same class. He says, "It seems this class of believers have in the last year introduced and pressed the above dogmas in some places, upon the people in this vicinity."

We see from this testimony that the writer does not hesitate to speak diminatively of the seventh-day Sabbath, and the doctrine of the destruction of the wicked &c.

It is much easier for some to get away from the Sabbath God has commanded everlastingly to be kept by calling it a delusion or a dogma, than it is to take the word of God and show that our faith is not in harmony with the Scriptures on this point. The same might be said in relation to the destruction of the wicked.

What does the Elder mean by the shut door? I have labored in Northern Pa. about three years, and I can say I have preached a free gospel to all that have ears to hear. And to the praise of God I can

say, Sinners have been converted and saints have acknowledged the claims of the fourth commandment, and are trying to get ready for the immediate coming of Christ. A correct understanding of the work of our high priest in the Sanctuary, at the termination of the 2300 days will clearly show what our faith is in regard to the shut door. This point has been explained in the Review, time after time, and our friends ought to understand the matter.

Eld. H. says, "I do not feel called upon to spend any time in showing a distinction between ourselves and those who have gone out from us, for the sake of getting rid of reproach." I am glad that there is a God that knows what is in the darkness and also what is in the light. If I have ever tried to shun the reproach, that must come in consequence of following Jesus, I am sorry. But I must say I have been willing to suffer with Christ, hoping I might reign with him. It is very true there is a difference between us. But when Eld. H. will show that what we believe in relation to the above mentioned points are unscriptural, he will succeed perhaps in convincing some of his own fellow-laborers in the gospel, that they are believing and preaching heresy in regard to the destiny of the wicked; for many of them agree with us on his subject.

WM. S. INGRAHAM.

Colchester, Ills., Sept. 23d, 1857.