A Company Keeping God’s Commandments
By P. H. Moffett
BRO. WHITE: The little company that embraced the third angel's message the past winter, west of Alma, Mich., are still striving to live it out by keeping the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. And though we meet with much opposition from the world, and have the displeasure of those who are teaching for doctrines the commandments of men, we feel it our duty to "fear God and keep his commandments; for this is the whole duty of man." Eccl. xii, 13. But there are some here who teach that the commandments of God have been abolished, and that we now have no laws to observe but the laws of the land, or of man, thus making the word of God of none effect through their traditions. Such teachings certainly do not harmonize with the word of God, but are in opposition to the teachings of Christ and his apostles, for Christ taught obedience to his Father's law. Matt. v, 17-19. Paul taught that the law was still in force. Rom. iii, 31. "Blessed are they that do his commandments that they may have right to the tree of life and may enter in through the gates into the city." Rev. xxii, 14. We feel very grateful to our heavenly Father for the privilege we have had of hearing this last message of mercy, that is to warn the people against the snares and traditions of these last days. As we are well supplied with publications we are still investigating the various subjects, and are daily becoming more established in the truth of this message. I have also read with much interest volumes first and second of sister White's testimonies to the church. I can see no reason why they should be rejected as they are in harmony with the word of God. There is still a good degree of interest manifested in our Sabbath meetings. We can say with David, "How good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity." It is our delight to spend the greater part of the Sabbath together, instructing and being instructed from the word of God. And as we read the precious promises therein contained for the finally faithful, that God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes and that he hath promised us even eternal life and a crown that fadeth not away we feel to say, Oh may we be the truly wise
Who seek with all our hearts this prize,
Contend no more for earth's renown,
But look for an immortal crown.
But my mind is strongly wrought upon when I contemplate the time in which we are living, this world's history about to close, and the last message of mercy so slighted, and the sentence soon to be pronounced, "He that is unjust let him be unjust still, and he which is filthy let him be filthy still." And then when I consider the deplorable prevalence of almost all kinds of wickedness among us, I feel to mourn. The Lord is coming, vengeful dire,
Are all his judgments and his ire,
And none can hope to escape his wrath,
Who walk not in the narrow path.
Your sister in the bonds of Christian love.
P. H. MOFFETT.
Seville, Mich.