p. 64 | A CHALLENGE by Editor

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 22, 1862

"A CHALLENGE."

By Editor

[It seems that our brethren laboring with the Iowa tent are inclined to "beard the lion in his den," if we may judge from the following, which we clip from the Weekly Washington [Iowa] Press. The challenge explains itself.]

To the Ministers of the Methodist, Baptist and Presbyterian Churches of Washington Iowa, Individually or Collectively, Greeting.

Respected Sirs: We are now in your midst, preaching doctrine which you denounce as wrong and heretical. We believe we have the truth, and hence preach what we believe. Many of your citizens believe that we preach the truth. Now, as you regard us as deceivers, wolves—we will give you a chance to show whether you are mere hirelings or not. "The hireling fleeth because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep." If we preach false doctrine it is your duty to come out and expose it to the people. We therefore propose that you select a man from among you, in whose hands you will risk your cause, and we will meet him in public discussion on the following propositions, which express our respective teachings:

We affirm—"The Bible teaches that man is mortal, and in death is unconscious."

You affirm: "The Bible teaches that the Sabbath has been changed from the Seventh to the First day of the week, by Divine authority."

Many of your citizens desire to hear these subjects discussed. We are willing to do our part. We will affirm what we teach. If you will do the same we will have a discussion, and try to show the people who is right and who is wrong.

You will show your acceptance of this by private or public correspondence. We are ready and waiting to enter into the investigation.

B. F. Snook. J. H. Waggoner. July 7th, 1862.