Steen's Conversion to Sabbath Truth
By James Steen
BRO. WHITE: I have long desired to relate something of my experience in the cause of truth. Myself and wife have been members of the United Presbyterian church for many years; but we have had placed in our hands some of your publications, and the Review and Herald, by a kind friend who came a long journey to see us. We have carefully perused them, and compared them with the Bible, and having strong desires to know the truth, the Lord has been pleased to make known to us the truths of his holy word. At first the doctrine seemed very strange to us both, compared with what we had been taught in the orthodox church. Our attention was first called to the Sabbath question, and from the Scriptures learning that there was no divine authority for observing the first day of the week instead of the seventh, but that it was a direct contradiction of the fourth commandment, we felt it our duty to obey God rather than man, and so commenced to keep God's Sabbath. It is about one year since we took this stand. We know of no one who is keeping the Sabbath near us. Our seats are vacant in the church. We have no Sabbath-keeper to converse with. We have never heard a lecture on present truth, but greatly desire to. We are cast out by some of our old friends on account of our new doctrine, as they call it. We have been reading the Review for nearly one year, and are firm believers in the truths that it advocates. We feel lonely; but we know that we have the promise of one who never deceives his people, that he will never leave nor forsake those who put their trust in him. We delight in reading the testimonies of the dear brethren and sisters. We think that there might be great good done here, as there is some excitement on the subject of present truth. We feel thankful that we have been favored with this light. We are willing to suffer for the truth's sake, and we desire the prayers of this people, that we may have grace given us to stand through the perils of these last days.
JAMES STEEN.
Leavitt, Ohio.