H. J. KITTLE by H. J. Kittle

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Dec 31, 1857

H. J. KITTLE

By H. J. Kittle

From Bro. Kittle.

BRO. SMITH: A year ago last August my attention was attracted anew to the subject of the near approach of the second advent of Christ, by the treatment that Bro. J. Dorcas received at a camp-meeting because he hung the chart explaining the time mentioned in the prophecies concerning the second coming of Christ, upon a tree within the bounds of the camp-ground. Bro. Dorcas then obtained permission to speak in the Baptist meeting house, and several times called our

attention to the subject of the Sabbath of the Bible, and other parts of our common faith. I was ashamed and confounded to think I had paid so little attention to what the Bible teaches, and had been living in accordance with other men's opinions, (which were not drawn from the Bible,) and had not examined the Scriptures for myself. The result was, I found I was living in rebellion against God, was weekly violating one of his positive commands, and cherishing, unknowingly, a prejudice against those who believe in the near approach of the second advent of our Saviour.

My first work was to divest myself of prejudice, to look at things as they are, and not as men say they are, to take the Bible as it reads, and not as men say it means. Taking this stand, I found my former connection with the Baptist church must be broken up. I, with some others that commenced keeping the Sabbath about the same time, at a church-meeting, told the church our determination, and eight weeks from that time six of us were excluded for no other reason than that we were determined to live out the commandments of God.

My companion, who was one of those excluded, and my son, are heartily united with me in the faith, and we have great reason to bless God that our attention was arrested and called to the subject before it was too late; before the storm that is to come on the earth had overtaken us, when none shall be able to stand but those who are sheltered beneath the promises of God. We have but little opportunity of meetings, but the Review comes regularly, a welcome and instructive messenger.

Yours for the kingdom.

H. J. KITTLE

Bettsville, Ohio, Dec., 1857.