Calling the Sabbath a Delight
By Ellet Joseph Waggoner
Bro. Smith : As I have not the opportunity of meeting very often with the dear brethren and sisters this Winter, I wish to say a few words to them through the Review. And as my name has never yet appeared in the paper, I will inform you that it has been about sixteen months since I turned away my foot from the Lord's holy day, and since that time I have been endeavoring to call the Sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord and honorable. It was when Brn. Holt and Cornell visited Gilboa with the tent that I first heard the truth of this last message. By strict attention and a careful examination of the word of God I was fully convinced that Sunday could in no way answer the obligation of the Lord's holy Sabbath, and also that we had been slumbering as it were on the very brink of time without any knowledge of its close, and thus giving no attention to the exhortation of the Lord through the prophet, to "seek meekness and righteousness," that there might be a possibility of being " hid in the day of his anger." Zeph. ii, 3. For a time I was at ease. I felt secure in having enjoyed the favor of God in the belief I had entertained of his word; but suddenly conviction seized me, peace of mind fled from me, and I knew not whither to turn. I knew there was no way to heaven but by the way of the cross, and here it was before me in all its weight. How heavy, let experience tell. Here is the last test, thought I, and I could only think of those words for encouragement, "Behold, I have set before you this day life and death." I saw that it was better that I had never known the way of righteousness than to turn away from the holy commandment delivered unto me. I felt the force of the words of Jesus, No one cometh to me except the Father draw him; and O, how thankful am I to-day that he drew me by the sweet cords of his love to come to Jesus, in whose wounds I found forgiveness for the transgression of God's holy law. "He drew me and I followed on,
Charmed to confess the voice divine." My peace was now like a river. I could exclaim with David, Great peace have they that love thy law, and nothing shall offend them. I now care not for the scoffs and frowns of the world, neither do I crave their smiles nor flatteries, because the precious Bible teaches me that even the friendship of the world is enmity against God, and I have chosen rather to suffer with his people than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season. My course is onward. I have that hope which is an anchor to the soul, both sure and steadfast, and reaches to that within the vail, whither the forerunner for us hath entered. I rejoice that I have an Advocate. Were it not for this I could have no hope. And again, when I read this blessed promise gratitude swells my heart. "If we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." Dear brethren and sisters, let us awake! Let us enter more fully into the work of saving our souls. Let us be zealous and repent. I believe there is danger, great danger, of having our names taken out of the book of life while we are so unwilling to deny ourselves for the suffering cause of truth. Let us look to the time when neither our silver nor gold shall be able to deliver us. O let us provide ourselves with bags that wax not old, and have our treasure deposited in the bank of heaven. Let us not shrink from the suffering part of religion, but be willing to suffer as Jesus did, who is our example; that when his glory is revealed we may be glad with exceeding joy. The work of saving souls is not confined to the messengers. Each individual member has a part to act in spreading the truth, and this we shall do if we have the truth in our hearts. O let us sink deep into the will of God, that we may rise with the message, and not be left to look to the earth and "behold trouble and darkness, and dimness of anguish." The Lord's cause should have our first and principal attention. Yours in hope of eternal life.
Eliza J. Wagner. Greenbush, Ohio, Jan. 8th, 1859.