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C. L. ROGERS

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Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Dec 23, 1858

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 13, No. 5.

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C. L. ROGERS

By C. L. Rogers

From Bro. Rogers.

BRO. SMITH: I have been for about seven or eight months past trying to keep all the commandments of God. When Bro. Waggoner was here last Spring I heard him with great interest, determined if he had the truth to present I would hear it; but when I first heard him I must acknowledge that I thought it was very singular that he should believe the seventh day was the day to keep as the Sabbath at this enlightened age of the world; neither could I believe that the Jewish laws were binding upon the Gentiles. I thought on this point I was firm as the hills, having the Bible to sustain me; but when I heard him the second night after he came back to our place with Bro. M. Welcome, I found my strong tower tottering and about to fall, because the foundation was sandy. I praise God that I was awakened to a sense of my situation, and I determined to seek the truth as revealed in the Bible, which I began to read more carefully, and more prayerfully, too, with my mind open to conviction, determined to know for myself; and I could scarcely open it but my eyes would meet some passage about the Sabbath or the law; indeed I almost despaired of finding anything to justify First-day-keeping, till after a while I thought I had found something in Galatians with regard to the law that was enough to satisfy me. But after examining it carefully, I became convinced on that Scripture also, and yielded the point. Then light and liberty broke in upon my mind, and I began keeping the Sabbath of the Lord; and although I met with some opposition, yet, praise the Lord, I feel that my way is onward and upward. I am endeavoring to live by faith on the Son of God. My companion is also striving with me to keep the commandments of God, but it was hard work for her to give up the traditions of men for the Lord's Sabbath. After a while she saw the truth of God as revealed in his word, renounced her former opinions, and is now striving to live in the light of the truth.
Our brethren and sisters in the Christian church here in this place have almost all disowned us, and tell us we are a poor, deluded set, seeking to be justified by the deeds of the law. But we believe that by the deeds of the law shall no flesh be justified in his sight; for by the law is the knowledge of sin; and whosoever is justified by the deeds of the law is fallen from grace.
Our little band of Sabbath-keepers are living by faith, and striving to be ready for the glorious appearing of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, that it may be said when he appears, Here are they that keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. We have some very interesting meetings on the Sabbath, and the prayer-meetings at Bro. P. S. Thurston's on Sabbath eve are generally attended with much interest. The Lord is good and gracious unto me, and I feel that I am willing to endure all for his sake. Brethren, pray for me, that my faith fail not.
Yours in hope of a glorious life beyond the grave.

C. L. ROGERS

Deerfield, Wis., Dec., 1858.