THE CAUSE IN C. E by D. T. Bourdeau

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 30, 1861

THE CAUSE IN C. E.

By D. T. Bourdeau

DEAR BRO. SMITH: I am returning from Sutton and Dunham, where I have been laboring for some time past. The number of Sabbath-keepers is still increasing in this section. Two or three more have come out on the truth since I wrote you last; and others acknowledge that the doctrines we advocate are scriptural. Among those who have recently embraced the truth is a French sister who became convinced of the importance of keeping the Sabbath by reading our French works. I made her a call a few days since, and found that she had kept three Sabbaths, and that she was willing to obey the truth as soon as it was made known unto her.

The 7th inst. Eld Tompkins of Dunham spoke on the change of the Sabbath, and we reviewed him the same day. Elder T. is said to be an old experienced preacher; but his theory could not sustain him. He gave us another opportunity of letting the truth shine in Dunham. The efforts of those ministers who have lately opposed us have rather helped the cause of truth. Some of our opponents have shown what spirit they were of, by getting mad, and by threatening to prosecute and imprison us; others have hurt themselves by circulating false reports; and others have shown their inconsistencies by taking contradictory positions. A regular Wesleyan preacher in Sutton affirmed that we taught Spiritualism, and that I had taught indecent views in Melbourne, C. E. The same preacher said he could prove that Bro. Stone had two spiritual wives. But our friends in Sutton know well that we have preached against Spiritualism, and that we have shown the necessity of keeping all of God's commandments; and we were never in Melbourne. Bro. Stone's moral character and reputation as a preacher are too well known and respected in Vermont where he has preached for more than thirty years, and even in Sutton and Dunham, to be affected by the tongue of the slanderer.

Last week I heard a preacher take the following positions while trying to unsettle the mind of a certain brother on the subject of the Sabbath:

1. "I am not acquainted with the views of these men."

2. "They teach false doctrines, heresies," &c.

3. "The Sabbath has been changed from the seventh to the first day."

4. "We should keep the fourth commandment."

5. "The law is against those who keep the seventh day."

6. "Our learned men have not found out that the seventh day is the Sabbath."

7. "I will write to our editor, that he may help your mind, and show that the Sabbath has been changed."

8. "I would keep the seventh day if it was generally observed."

9. "Mr. G. preached a discourse on the Sabbath last week, and proved that we were keeping the seventh day."

This is a sample of what is held out as truth on the Sabbath by first-day preachers; and if it is true that error follows a zigzag course, and has as many horns as the apocalyptic beast that John saw, it is evident that the first day Sabbath is erroneous. The brethren in Dunham and Sutton are getting more and more settled on the truth. Truth is plain, straight and harmonious, and it will stand when God shall sweep away the refuge of lies (Isa. xxviii, 17); and those who have the truth will agree, and will be shielded from the tempter's power. All can understand the truth in regard to the Sabbath question. Even the little child of three or four years old can see that the seventh day is the holy Sabbath of the Lord our God.

D. T. BOURDEAU.