A Convert to the Sabbath Truth
By Seth Newton
Bro. Smith: I have been a believer in the Advent doctrine since 1843. I believed that the Lord would come on the 10th day of the 7th month, but I was disappointed; and as time rolled on, I knew not where we were in the age of the world but I believed that our Deliverer would soon come, therefore I tried to trust in him, though sometime I had hardly enough faith to keep me alive. The doctrine of the Age-to-come has been preached in this place a great deal, so much so, that we had scarcely life enough left to pray, and some had given up family worship altogether. I for one had laid it down for more than a year. About six weeks ago Brn. Sperry and Hart came this way and said to me that they had some things to tell the people in this place, and as I was one of the directors of the school, they asked the privilege of preaching in the school-house. I said they could have the house, but I thought they would not have many hearers in this place. I was very much opposed to their views, though I said I would go and hear, for I thought I had read so much against the Sabbath, that my mind could not be turned. But after hearing about ten discourses, the truth wrought so powerfully on me that I had to manifest publicly, that I should try from that time onward, to keep the commandments of God and to have the testimony of Jesus Christ, and I can truly say that I feel more and more strengthened to try and do the Lord's will. I feel truly that we are living in perilous times and therefore we should be very careful how we speak, or hear, or act, that we may be found in the end without spot or wrinkle or any such thing. I believe that we are hearing the last warning or message that will be given to warn the world to be ready to meet the Lord. I feel for some in this place who are fighting against this message. They came out under the sound of the first angel, and gave up all to be ready to meet the Lord on the 10th day of the 7th month; but now they reject the Third Angel's message, and say that those who preach it are wolves in sheep's clothing, and that they make division wherever they go. I think I read that Christ came not to send peace on the earth but rather division. I think that God's truth is calculated to make division when it is preached according to his will, and separate his children from the world. I am satisfied that the Advent church is too much like the world in many respects. I feel to ask God for grace to help us to separate ourselves entirely from the world, and live so that we may rejoice in God from day to day. There are only three families of us here that are willing to try to keep the commandments of God. We meet together every Sabbath, and try to strengthen each other by praying and exhorting one another as we see the day approaching. Yours truly, Seth Newton. Crane's Grove, Ills., Feb. 18th, 1858.