SABBATH CONVENTIONS by Roswell F. Cottrell

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 14, 1858

"SABBATH CONVENTIONS."

By Roswell F. Cottrell

A MOVEMENT is now being put forward by the "rulers of the darkness of this world" in the State of New York, which is well calculated to pave the way to the great decree by which the Two-horned Beast will persecute all who have not "the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name." Sabbath County Conventions, so-called, are being held in order "to circulate a petition, to have the locks on the canals closed on the Sabbath, and to awaken a deeper interest in favor of the Sabbath." The Convention for Erie County was held at Buffalo, Dec. 8, which I attended. The following Resolutions were discussed and adopted:

"Resolved, 1. That as the Sabbath is Divine in its origin and appointment, and designed for the glory of God and good of man, therefore we will use all proper efforts to promote its universal observance.

"Resolved, 2. That as the Sabbath is Divine in its origin, and necessary for the existence and spread of true Religion, therefore, we will use all proper means for its recovery from desecration.

"Resolved, 3. That as knowledge on this subject is indispensable, therefore, we will endeavor, by preaching, and by the circulation of Books or Tracts, to disseminate the needful information.

"Resolved, 4. That as the Scriptural observance of the Sabbath, or the Lord's Day, will not only promote the Religious, but the Physical and Mental welfare of man, therefore, those who violate the claims of the Sabbath, fail not only of its religious, but also of its physical and mental benefits.

"Resolved, 5. That as a proper observance of the Sabbath is intimately connected with the prosperity and perpetuity of our free institutions, therefore, our public interests require that the Public Works should be suspended on the Sabbath.

"Resolved, 6. That as the Sabbath was made for man, therefore, "we will petition the proper authorities that those employed on our canals may be relieved from all labor on that day, and have an opportunity of enjoying its sacred rest, and securing its benefits."

In speaking to these resolutions, much truth was asserted, and sound arguments used in defense of the Sabbath of the Lord, as a universal and perpetual institution, but the change, from the seventh to the first day of the week, was taken for granted, and passed over without argument. Had some poor heathen been present, he would doubtless have thought that what was called the "Christian Sabbath," was the very day on which God rested at the creation.

Something was said about the moral nature of the commandment consisting in keeping "a seventh part of time," but one unacquainted with the deceptive maneuvering by which the Sabbath of the Lord is set aside and a "tradition of the elders" is engrafted upon the fourth commandment, by modern "Doctors of Divinity," would have been completely taken by their sleight of hand and "cunning craftiness," and really thought that "Sunday" was the seventh day of the creation week—the very day which the fourth commandment requires us to observe. But I noted one expression of the first speaker, the meaning of which I could only guess at; perhaps some reader can interpret it. Said he, "We behold the New Jerusalem coming down from God out of heaven upon the Christian Sabbath!"

I saw no opportunity to speak in the convention, as the speakers were all appointed beforehand, and the evening was all occupied by them; but as soon as the meeting was adjourned, I gave notice to the audience that, in pursuance of the third resolution, I would, as the people passed out of the house, distribute gratuitously a quantity of Sabbath tracts, well calculated to impart the "needful information" on the subject, the first of the series being entitled, "The First day of the week not the Sabbath of the Lord." Accordingly, I handed them out to as many as applied for them. May God grant that they may awaken inquiry in some minds that will not be satisfied till they are led to the light of the truth.

A few words about the leaders in this movement who prefix Rev. to their own names, a title applied in Scripture exclusively to God. The Lord says, Holy and reverend is my name. I have called these men, The rulers of the darkness of this world, because the world is in darkness on the subject of the Sabbath, as well as some other subjects of vital interest, and these rulers, professing to teach the way of God in truth, are still willing to keep the people in darkness.

Blind leaders of the blind! deceiving and being deceived. How little do they know what they are doing. How little do they know that they are paving the way to the last great persecution of the saints of God. They are working out the fulfillment of prophecy, and, I presume, they do not know it. Yet they exhibit much sagacity in their proceedings. They seem to be aware that a religious institution that has no Bible evidence to sustain it, needs the aid of civil law. They seem to understand, too, that a thin entering wedge is preferable to a thick one; for if the entering wedge is too steep it will not stick. The sixth resolution, as drawn up at the preliminary meeting at Buffalo, spoke of Railroads and Post Offices, as well as Canals, but this was too thick a wedge to begin with, and, on motion, it was thinned down to the Canal business alone. When that is driven, of course a thicker one will easily follow.

But we do not wrestle with flesh and blood. We have no enmity against these men. We only pity them, while we rejoice to see the word of God fulfilling. The persecution of the beast with two horns must come before the saints are delivered; and as we long for deliverance, we hail with joy every token which speaks it near. O Lord! prepare thy people to stand in the evil day, and, having done all, to stand with the Lamb on Mount Zion.