AS WE EXPECTED by James White

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 28, 1857

AS WE EXPECTED.

By James White

WE are led to reflections upon the arts practice by Satan, to lead men from the truth of God's word. Those who embrace important truth, (those whom he cannot keep from the truth,) he will lead away if possible, and he will leave no art untried.

In the Prophetic Expositor of May 1st, we notice a communication from H. V. Reed of Wisconsin, who has for about four years professed the Sabbath of the Lord. And, as we expected, from the course he has taken, find that he has given up the Sabbath. He says:—

"Bro. Marsh:—After so long a time I take my pen to address you a few lines—hoping that what I am about to write will serve as encouragement to the brethren scattered abroad, and aid in strengthening them in the 'one hope,' &c. For some four years past I have believed and taught that the seventh day was the Sabbath of the Lord, and that christians in this dispensation were under obligations to observe the day as holy time, and that all who violated this command were under the penalty of God's command, &c. When I first embraced the gospel of the kingdom, I took the position that the seventh day observed was peculiar to one people, and one age; viz., the Mosaic. But owing to my want of a thorough understanding of the scripture teachings upon this point, my mind was beclouded by those who were better acquainted with the subject, and hence I was led astray."

Had Bro. Reed held to the Third Angel's Message, which taught him to keep the Commandments of God and the Faith of Jesus, he would not have been left to make the fearful leap he has recently taken. But he chose to cling to the age to come, and, for a while, doubtless, endeavored to harmonize the Third Message with it. This hard task others in Wisconsin undertook. Satan well knew that the age to come would chill to death the soul, and root out finally the Message, so he would have them be sure to hold it fast.

Soon Satan stirred up the friends of disorder to fight against the REVIEW, the gifts, and against God's servants. Our poor young brother joined the disaffection, more or less, yet zealously taught the Lord's Sabbath. He had not yet reached the point for Satan's master temptation, viz., to break the commandments of God, and teach men so. Satan had other steps for him first to take. About this time D. P. Hall, led off in the field of strange vagaries, such as no Devil, no Spirit of God, and no resurrection of heathen and infants. He also gave the Messages of Rev. xiv, to the future age. After Bro. Reed had followed on in this direction, giving up truth and embracing error, ever learning some new and strange notion relating to the age to come, but never coming for once to a knowledge of the truth, then it was that he was prepared to turn from the holy commandment.

But Bro. Reed will not be alone in this matter. Others who have received the same heretical sentiments, have drunk the same deadly draughts, will follow. It is impossible for the age to come and the Third Message to live together. Our pity is excited for these poor souls who are being led step by step, blindfolded, to ruin's brink. Could we help them how gladly would we do it; but many of them will not be helped. Dear readers, beware! Snares are set all about you. O beware of the arts of Satan to lead you away from the Message to destroy you. Will you also go way? Will you give up the Message you once loved? the Message which taught you to keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus? God forbid! O let the departures from the Lord's Sabbath, of those who first gave up the Message, lead you to cling to it. There are many truths taught; but what is the present truth? This we must have now. There are many messages given; but what is the Message for this time? Answer. It is the Third Message. This God will bless. This is infallible. Men may err; but God and his Message are infallible. Amen.

J. W.