To An Opposer by J. Clarke

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Michigan · Jul 29, 1862

To An Opposer.

By J. Clarke

Dear Friend: Permit me respectfully to dedicate a few remarks to such as oppose the doctrines advocated by the Seventh-day Adventists.

First: You will agree with me in asserting that these doctrines are in many respects unpopular with the world, and very much at variance with the principles and practice of the professing churches. I will ask if the Bible anywhere carries the idea that the people of God are a popular people? Does it not declare a woe upon those whom the world esteem highly?

Again, have you ever taken as much pains to search the Bible to know the truth or falsity of these doctrines, and used the same impartial view of things that you would in figures, in casting interest upon a note?

Have you ever considered the probability that the God of the Bible has somewhere a people who are walking in the light? and how if it should finally prove that the S. D. Adventists were that people?

Have you ever thought much upon what Christ said of the oneness of his people, and compared it with the divided state of the sects of Christendom?

Have you ever thought of the inconsistency of the Sunday-keeping, Advent-opposing, churches uniting with the world in opposing the S. D. Adventists?

Have you noticed that the S. D. Adventists stand as a unit for purity, in opposition to the prevailing sins of the day?

Are you aware that the S. D. Adventists are the only people who unite the Old Testament and the New with the speedy or soon coming of Christ, as the fulfillment of prophecy, having as the keystone of their faith the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus?

Again, is there any other church or people in the world who, taking the Bible alone as a standard of faith, and carrying out that faith, as good, obedient, and loyal citizens, do bring upon themselves the whole weight of public prejudice, and bitter hatred and opposition?

Why is this? Have we sustained thieves, or murderers, or adulterers, or liars? Nay! What have we done? What is our crime? Why, this denomination of S. D. Adventists have set aside a tradition for a plain command. We substitute substances for airy nothings, without dogmatic assertions. We prove all by a thus saith the Lord. What if haply our opposers should be found fighting against God?

J. Clarke.