The Review and Herald, Review and Herald, Vol. 47, No. 20.
DARWINISM EXAMINEDPage 1
DARWINISM EXAMINED.
By P. R. Russel
The evolution or development theory of accounting for the wonders of the animal and vegetable kingdoms was projected by some of the old Greek philosophers, but it has been reserved for Prof. Charles Darwin, of England, to elaborate the theory, put it in popular dress, and surround it with a scientific nomenclature. This philosophy attempts to account for the existence and varied forms of the animal and vegetable kingdoms without the interposing hand of an intelligent and designing Creator, by spontaneous creation, and then perpetual evolution. Mr. Darwin asserts—for it is nothing but assertion—that animal life began its career on earth spontaneously in the organization of an aquatic, as a sponge, a star fish, mussel, or oyster, and that both sexes blended in one, in this fatherless, motherless, Godless non-descript—this forefather and foremother of all flesh—and that all forms of animal life which have since peopled our globe are descendants of this one aquatic monstrosity, developed upwardly and onwardly from age to age until we have at last all the types, genera, species and varieties of living forms; that man is but a developed star fish or oyster; that the evolutions have gone on from age to age upward, through serpents, crocodiles, quadrupeds, monkeys, apes, and then into humanity. This pantheistical nonsense is the last and most plausible attempt of infidelity to vote the throne of the adorable Creator vacant, and to laugh the word of God out of countenance. The most formidable thing about it is, that so many learned men, claiming to be scientists, accept it, and attempt to give it currency among the young as sound philosophy. Prof. Darwin is a gentleman of liberal culture, and rare tastes, and opportunities in scientific research, and if the evolution theory of the origin of species and of man is correct, we may expect to find in this work a scientific and logical defense; but the careful reader will find throughout assumption upon assumption just where proof was most needed. Mr. D. does not attack, directly, the personality of God or divine revelation; but he moves round in the dark, ignoring God, and sapping and mining at the foundations. There occur to my mind many, very many fatal objections to this whole theory, aside from the Scripture record and the testimony of natural history. Let me suggest some of the inseparable objections. 1. There is in Darwinism a want of good common sense. I admit that reason alone, a priori, is not a divine umpire, whose suggestions are final and authoritative. But then truth, when discovered, always utters good common sense, and her testimonies are harmonious. But is it good sense to suppose, without testimony, that nature has had one marvelous freak by which she, without a Creator's designing hand, or purpose, without thought, or law, or plan, marshaled dead, inert matter, into an exquisite organism, and kindled the spark of life and set the little heart, a kind of force pump, throbbing, and then throbbing on through the ages in a progeny of countless millions? Such a wonder must have been a miracle, a most germatic, stupendous miracle, equivalent to all the miracles of successive creations. Mr. Darwin feels this difficulty, and calls it “an inexplicable mystery.” It is an inexplicable mystery, and he should have stopped and solved this problem before he attempted to promulgate and defend the rest of his enigma. 2. There is another difficulty in Darwinism. It is not an inductive philosophy, based on the facts of experience and observation, but an hypothetical philosophy, invented to solve a problem. It is spun out of his teeming brain, as a spider spins her web. It is hatched by a brooding, scheming, restless, pantheistical mind, contriving to get rid of God. Mr. Darwin does not in his elaborate works, go on to collate facts, and then deduce from them the testimony they utter; but he assumes all along, the fundamental points of his whole theory, and then builds on them his anomalous superstructure. He assumes that nature produced one, and but one, monstrous organism, containing both sexes in itself, and then began to propagate living forms unlike itself. This is the foundation stone of the whole system, and yet it is an assumption. So he goes on assuming and assuming, that nature has an undesigned, unordained tendency upward, toward humanity—that “selection,” and the “survival of the fittest” will sweep away all barriers, and produce all the present varieties and forms of life. This kind of philosophy is vain, misleading, and delusive. 3. There is another objection. The Scripture record places a crown of honor and dominion on the brow of our common humanity. God is presented to us as our Creator and Heavenly Father and Friend; and the Liberals, who are so ready to adopt this degrading theory, have been telling us in many a learned essay of the paternal character of God, and of the angelic dignity of our common humanity; but Darwinism casts us all down from this elevated platform, and herds us all with four-footed beasts and creeping things. It tears the crown from our heads; it treats us as bastards and not sons, and reveals the degrading fact that man in his best estate—even Mr. Darwin—is but a civilized, dressed up, educated monkey, who has lost his tail. This may be true, but if so, it is a degrading, unpleasant truth, that we should be slow to proclaim. 4. There is another serious difficulty. Man is endowed with a moral, rational, and religious nature. He has a consciousness, in all ages and in all lands, of being a moral agent and accountable to some higher creating, governing power. He instinctively “feels after God,” pants and cries after him, builds his altar and worships in some form. All history, all experience, testify that man has a moral, intellectual and religious nature. But beasts of no kind or type have this. Monkeys have no moral or religious nature. They have no apparent sense of moral right and wrong. Darwinism sweeps away all religion. It is not compatible with Pagan, Jewish, Mahommedan, or the Christian religion. It is not conceivable that learned and civilized monkeys are, or may be, saints, and destined to immortal life, while the rest are mere brutes that perish. If the theory is true, we are all at best brutes, one in our natures. The moment we regard man as but a developed brute, that moment all kinds of religion logically disappear, as incompatible and impossible. If man is only a developed monkey, he is a monkey still, and there is and can be no religion for him, which is not as good, true and admissible for all monkeys. 5. Then, again, if animal life began with aquatics, and there is, in the nature of things, a tendency to evolutionize upward into other types, forms and species, and to culminate in humanity, it follows, logically, that, give these lower forms of life time enough, and they will climb the ladder of progress and pass into men and leave their early forms—cradles of life, the aquatics—all vacant. The starting point is the aquatic, the goal is humanity. Unless new creations should supply the void, life would ascend the ladder, and we should have at last nothing but humanity. But if we look down after what Mr. Darwin calls millions of ages into the cradle, we find the aquatics still in the dirty water. So far as can be seen and known they are just as low and just as tenacious of their places, and just as numerous as in the primitive ages; and they do not even promise to ascend the ladder of evolution. Nor are their places kept good by new creations. This objection is fatal to the whole theory. 6. Then, again, if Darwinism is true, monkeys are naturally, gradually, and surely passing into men—are in fact men of a lower grade. Mr. Darwin tells us the time was when man was clothed in hair, went on all fours, and had a tail. Men and monkeys then blend and run into each other. But what are the facts? The brain capacity of the lowest types of men is more than treble that of the highest type of monkeys. One has an articulate language, a burning conscience, the instincts of propriety, and a sense of responsibility to God. The other can never speak, or write, or know, love and fear God, or comprehend anything of moral government. The chasm is deep and wide; but where are the intermediate links? If the theory is true, we should see them everywhere. The animal tribes would be found everywhere in a transition state. Cats would be found turning into dogs, and dogs into goats, and goats into bullocks. We should find monkeys and men blending and shaking hands over the chasm,—men would be found in all stages of the transition—some in fur, and others just putting off their hairy dress, and making attempts at dressing up—some just getting up from “all fours,” and learning to stand and walk erect, while others would be found hiding their tails, and still others just losing their tails. Monkeys would be found just putting on their hats and putting on airs of humanity, and putting in their claims to be recognized as a part of the brotherhood. But when we look out for these connecting links, they cannot be found. This broad, deep chasm has no bridge. The connecting links in the chain are all gone, and Mr. Darwin has utterly failed to produce one of them, connecting men and monkeys, either in the living specimens or fossils of the geological ages. He acknowledges this as a weak and embarrassing point in his philosophy, but hopes that the connecting links may be found in the researches of the future. 7. Then, again, the instincts, the constitutions and appetites of the animal tribes do and will hold them fast in their various types, genera, and species. The fish can never develop into a bird, nor the bird into a fish. Their natures, food, and habits are radically different. Zoologists and geologists have divided the animal kingdom into four different types, as 1. Vertebrates, 2. Articulates, 3. Mollusca, 4. Radiates. Then there is another division, viz.; genus, species and variety. Now the wise and benevolent Creator has thrown up barriers and placed chasms here that cannot be passed by what Mr. Darwin calls “selections” of any kind or any device. Vertebrates cannot be converted into articulates, and articulates cannot be converted into shell fish or sun fish. Varieties may be changed by climate, soil, culture and mating, but types, genera, and species, never. Hybrids and monstrosities may be produced, but they cannot be retained as a new species. They become barren, or relapse speedily into original forms. The geologist, as he turns over the fossiliferous strata of the earth and examines the various and wonderful specimens of minerals that have come and gone during the long ages of the past, has found no articulates that have changed into vertebrates; no crocodiles or serpents that have crawled half way over into monkeys, and no monkeys that have half lapped over into men. All the types, genera, and species of animals are placed in certain niches and spheres of the animal economy to subserve a purpose, and there they are held, by the Creator's hand, by their natures, habits, appetites and instincts, and the heavens will fall before they can vacate. Transmutation can work among the varieties, but here its surging waves must be confined. Vain, foolish, and wicked are all the attempts of man to vote the Creator from his throne by clothing nature with divine attributes, and retiring God. Nature! What is nature? It is simply God, the invisible, immutable and ever-blessed God in his works and ways. Nature, aside from God, has no laws, no plans, no purposes, and can have no adaptations. He is the lawgiver, the executive force of the universe. My heart says, “Lord, thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting thou art God. Thou turnest man to destruction; and sayest, return, ye children of men; for a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday, when it is past, and as a watch of the night.”—Rev. P. R. Russel. SABBATH THOUGHTS.
By C. L. Gregory
[The following poetry from the Cottage Testament though composed for the first-day of the week is most excellent when correctly applied to the Sabbath of the Lord.
C. L. GREGORY.] This is the day of rest!—let earth retire
And leave my thoughts, eternal God, to thee,
Let my dull heart, this sacred morning be,
Warm’d by thy grace and touched with heavenly fire. Softly the Sabbath-bell is heard afar,
Like mercy’s summons to a feast of love ;—
On to the house of prayer the suppliants move,
To tell their wants to him whose sons they are. Vain is the sculptur’d roof—the long-drawn aisle—
Vain music’s tone, and vain the silken vest ;
That worshipper, and he alone, is blest,
On whose rapt soul the Spirit deigns to smile. Yet do the Sabbath’s joys but dimly show
The bliss of that bright world to which we hope to go. Naval Rivalries in the Mediterranean
MORE than once, even in modern times, the Mediterranean Sea has been the theater of events that attracted the attention of the whole world. Nations have played for heavy stakes upon its waters, and kingdoms have been lost and won upon its shore. And the future may witness a repetition of similar events. England has multiplied her fleet within the pillars of Hercules, and Russia is about to reinforce her Mediterranean squadron by some of its heaviest iron-clad frigates. In the meantime, France is not unmindful of her maritime interests in that quarter, and more than one German war vessel has carried the flag of the empire into the same locality. These preparations presage some startling event. After the fall of Sevastopol, Russia was debarred from keeping a navy in the Black Sea. But no such interdiction runs against the Mediterranean, and there iron-clad may be matched against iron-clad, and the contest be equalized. In case England and Russia lock horns in Central Asia it is important that the western entrance of the Suez Canal should be kept open. England has that object in view, while Russia wishes to be in a position to make the most of any change that will cripple her main antagonist. The sea eagles perceive the coming struggle, and they are gathering upon the waters of the historic Mediterranean. 1 DECEIT and falsehood, whatever conveniences they may for a time promise or produce, are, in the sum of life, obstacles to happiness. Those who profit by the cheat distrust the deceiver; and the act by which kindness was sought puts an end to confidence.—Johnson. THE SPARTA CAMP-MEETING.
By Ellen G. White
We arrived at the camp-ground about 7 o’clock Wednesday evening, June 30, 1875. We found the meeting in a very pleasant place. Eleven tents were already up. The most of these tents were unusually large. It was yet early, and a large gathering of our people was expected. Our tent, kindly furnished us by our brethren at Monroe, was soon pitched and furnished, and we were again at home in our cotton house. Our labors closed in Minnesota Wednesday morning. After riding from 9 A. M. to 7 P. M. we were again upon camp-ground. We took a night’s rest in our tent, and Thursday morning at 10 ½ A. M. our labors commenced. Wednesday, while riding in the cars, we had not the privilege of resting. Eld. Smith, my husband, and myself, were all engaged in writing important matter while the train was moving swiftly onward. Attending camp-meetings every week leaves us no leisure time for rest and recuperation. Notwithstanding our weariness, we have good courage, and God has greatly blessed us with health, for which we feel deeply grateful to our Heavenly Father. Bro. Smith spoke at the stand at 10 A. M., giving an appropriate discourse. At 2 P. M. I read the 18th chapter of Matthew. I dwelt especially upon the necessity of humbling ourselves before God, and having our minds withdrawn from self, in sympathy and love for others. Especially should we engage in personal effort for those out of Christ. When self shall be submerged in Christ, then shall we walk in humbleness of mind, simplicity, and unselfishness, doing others good. It requires a thorough conversion to follow Jesus closely, a singleness of purpose, a purity of motive. Friday, July 2, we had a conference meeting under the tent. After prayer and singing, Bro. Sanborn bore a short testimony. Said he, “I love the precious truth, and the work of preparation necessary to insure eternal life. I have come to this meeting to get a fitting up, a renewal of the grace of God, that I may do his work acceptably. I am seeking the Lord for myself, and I desire to help others to seek him.” A brother says, “I have peace and joy in my soul. I came to camp-meeting to get more of the love of God. I rejoice to see my brethren and sisters rejoicing in the truth and pressing their way to the happiness of Heaven. To those souls who are inquiring concerning our faith, I feel certain that if they really desire light, by which to see the truth and understand it for themselves, they may receive it, and be sanctified through it.” A brother says, “I am thankful for this privilege. I, too, am seeking the Lord. I have received great good since I came to this meeting.” A Swedish sister says, “I am truly renewed since I came here. I feel strong in the faith. Jesus has paid me for coming, in giving me peace and love. I want to be a humble follower of Christ. I want the seal of God upon my forehead.” A brother says, in much brokenness of spirit, “I am rejoiced to see so many of our faith testifying to the goodness of God. I feel the blessing of God in my heart. I want to glorify my Redeemer by doing good to others.” A brother says, “I feel the presence of God in this meeting. I am trying to do my Father’s will, and gladly yield to the obligations of his law. I rely upon the merits of the blood of Christ to save me from all sin.” A brother says he has only been permitted to attend two of our yearly gatherings. He is trying to be an overcomer that he may have a part with God’s children. He means to live a godly life before the world. A brother says it is indeed a blessed privilege to enjoy the light of the truth. He has come a great way to attend this meeting, and wants to take home the spirit of his blessed Master. A brother says it is good for him to be here. He has cause to be thankful that God has spared his life to meet his brethren here. Thank his holy name that he saw fit to show him where he was standing, and to point him to the way of life. Hereafter he will live close to Christ his Saviour. A brother says that he is truly thankful he is on the Lord’s side. It is in doing the will of God we gain strength; he has been blessed just according to his endeavor. There are blessings in store for each of us; for every sacrifice he has made in doing the will of God, he has realized the smile of his approval. This meeting will be a great blessing to the people assembled here, if they will consecrate themselves to God without reserve. He is thankful for the grace of God he has felt at this meeting; he wants to be meek, and contrite, and lowly of spirit, like his Saviour. He feels himself as nothing before God; in an instant he could blot him from the face of the earth; yet he permits him to live and enjoy the benefits of his mercy. He wants to glorify God and to draw near the blessed Saviour, ever drinking of his love. For twenty-six years he has traveled, and three times he has been around the world. He has beheld many of the wonderful works of God by the land and by the sea. The Lord has delivered him from many dangers on the great waters. He will love God; he will hope in his great mercy; he claims the blessed Jesus for his Saviour. He would work while the day lasts. The Lord is blessed. His heart is filled with love to overflowing. He has received a great blessing while seeking God, and praying to him in secret. He is determined to take heed to his ways and not fail in zeal and earnestness. “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me.” “Praise the Lord for his wonderful works to the children of men.” A brother praises God for the promises given him. He has seen the light of precious truth. He has entire confidence in God. A sister says this is the work of the Lord. She knows it by her own experience. God has been with her, amid trials and temptations; has strengthened her in every instance. She has been led to love God and his holy commandments, and her whole soul blesses his holy name. An appropriate hymn was then sung:—
“Come to the living waters come,
Obey your Maker’s call,
Return ye weary wanderers home,
My grace is free for all.” Our second conference meeting commenced Thursday, at 9 A. M. While the rain was gently falling, we assembled under the canvas. After singing, and several prayers had been offered, we listened with deep interest to many excellent and cheering testimonies. Bro. Decker said he wished the meeting to commence just where it left off the previous morning. He hoped that the young converts to the truth would be free to bear their testimony. He felt the rich blessing of God in his heart. He had enjoyed such fullness in Jesus that his spirit had been melted. He hoped each one present would be faithful during this meeting, and that its influence would be felt long afterwards. He trusted no one would experience a loss by neglecting duty. A brother said he felt the power of God upon him. He had been using tobacco for years, had tried to overcome the habit, but had failed to do so. He scarcely knew which way to turn; finally he took his burden to the Lord in prayer. Jesus has said, “My grace is sufficient for you;” he had found these words true; he had overcome, in the name and strength of Jesus. The struggle was hard, but the victory was complete. Now he felt that he was clothed and in his right mind. Old things had passed away and all things had become new. He felt that he was washed clean in the blood of his Redeemer, and that the love of God was in his heart. A brother said he wanted to become strong in the service of his Master; each day of his life he wanted to feel his approval. Time is short and the probationary period granted us here should be improved to the uttermost. He was sorry not to have set a better example before his associates. A brother said, “I am old in years, but am a new convert to this faith. I did not coincide with the views held by this people until I had read their publications, comparing their doctrines with the Bible. I investigated the matter closely, with a desire to know the truth for myself; the Lord opened my eyes to the light of his word. I can now appreciate the love of God; I will always obey the truth, and do every thing I can for the cause, if I can at last be an heir of Heaven.” A sister said she felt thankful for the camp-meeting; she wanted the blessing of God, that she might live out the truth. A brother said he had newly come into the faith; light had entered his heart; he had clearly understood the third angel’s message. He was full of praise to God for his goodness; he had received a great blessing upon this camp-ground. A sister said she had long anticipated this meeting; she had come here for no idle purpose; she was earnestly seeking for entire consecration to the will of God. She desired meekness and lowliness of mind, that she might do her work acceptably to her Maker. A sister said she had kept the commandments of God for one year and a half. It did her heart good to enjoy the blessings of this meeting. She wanted to be a Christian at home, living right every day before God, that when Jesus comes she may meet him in triumph. A brother says, “I am thankful for this privilege of tenting on the ground. I feel a good degree of the Spirit in these meetings. I want my heart baptized with the Holy Spirit; I want to obey the precepts of God and faithfully follow out the teaching of the third angel’s message, discharging my daily duties, and seeking to aid others in the way of life. I want light from Heaven to shine into my own heart, and from me to be diffused among my associates. I want to love God entirely and unreservedly.” A sister said she rejoiced in the great goodness of the Lord. She loves the truth and the cause of God. His Spirit has been made manifest at this meeting. She had been greatly benefited by it. A brother said he desired to testify to the goodness of God. This was the first camp-meeting in which he had ever taken a part. He had not enjoyed the peace of God till he came to this meeting. He was sorry his companion could not have been with him. Bless God for the light of the third angel’s message; himself and many others would now be in utter darkness, ignorant of the great truth, but God had sent to them his servants, to teach them the great message of mercy; he could now work understandingly and in the strength of Jesus, and walk in uprightness before him. A sister felt deeply grateful to God for the privilege of this meeting. She had gathered strength here to carry the light before her friends and neighbors. She knew she had neglected duty in many ways. She saw her sins as she had never seen them before. She was glad to feel the Spirit of God here. The truth was precious to her soul; it had led her to be desirous of glorifying Jesus. God was calling her. He had brought her from darkness to light. In one week he had taken from her four of her little children; they had been hurried from her sight; she had parted with them in agony of spirit. This providence had turned her from her infidelity; she was brought to see herself a sinner against the law. Before she could not see Christ, now she was a firm believer in this good faith. Another sister said she had felt that the power of the Lord was in this meeting. She knew for herself that God is a rewarder of all who diligently seek him. A brother said this was a good place to be in. He had felt to rejoice while listening to the cheering testimonies given at this meeting. This was indeed a feast to his soul. He wanted to be a witness for Jesus, a living witness for the truth. He wanted a home in Heaven when the redeemed shall return to Zion with joy and everlasting triumph. A sister said the Lord was surely with us; she had never felt so much of his good Spirit before. She had received help at the Lord’s Camp-meeting last year. She had been enabled to draw near to God since that meeting. She had tried, in the fear of the Lord, to submit her will to his; she had found a blessing, and her peace had been like a river. She wanted Jesus and the truth to be uppermost in her mind. She wished to be contented with her lot and to do every duty devolving upon her, that she might at last live with Jesus forever. A brother says, “I feel that the Lord is good and greatly to be praised. His mercies are as enduring as eternity. If at last we are found to be the children of God, what an honor, what a privilege it will be to meet in that happy gathering above, where there will be no partings, no farewells ever spoken. Praise God for the good and great work he is doing, in bringing out souls into the light of the truth. My prayer is that God will move onward the glorious work.” A sister said she could truly say that it was good for her to be here. The Spirit of the Lord was in the meeting. She wanted to overcome all her defects of character and meet the pure and blessed in the kingdom of glory. A brother said the Lord had done a great deal for him, but he had done but very little for the Lord. He had but little experience in this good work. He wanted to walk humbly, and closely follow his Redeemer. A brother said he felt thankful for this meeting. He had already been richly repaid. He had listened with deep interest to the truth here spoken. He saw faults in himself that he had never before perceived, and this was what he wanted, to know his errors that he might correct them before it was too late. He wanted to love God more, and imitate the self-denial of Jesus, to be a perfect overcomer in his name. A brother said he felt thankful that God was a prayer-hearing and prayer-answering God. He knew that his Spirit was here. He rejoiced in his love. He rejoiced that Jesus lives; he has said, “I will pray the Father for you.” He had prayed, “Sanctify them through thy truth; thy word is truth.” He rejoiced in the light of that truth. He wanted to lean more completely upon his Redeemer, the source of all his strength and his exceeding great reward. He came fifty-five miles to attend this meeting, and had been many times repaid for coming. The preaching that he had heard had put new life into him. He rejoiced in the truth; he wanted a more perfect understanding of it, that he might do his duty at home and among his neighbors. A sister said she thanked her dear Saviour for the light she had received at this meeting. She understood better how to live the life of a Christian. She wanted to keep all the commandments of God and live in the faith of Jesus. A brother said he wanted to be an overcomer. He wanted to worship God in spirit and in truth, and live in obedience to all God’s commandments. He wanted to be sanctified in obeying the truth. He had been at a great distance from God; his besetting sins had separated him from his Redeemer. He wanted to put away from him all these sins. As he has been drawn nearer unto Jesus, he had felt his spirit respond to his efforts. Praise his dear name! A sister said she had felt that the blessed Saviour was very near her. She was very grateful for the privileges of this meeting. She loved the Lord and loved the truth. She must be a devoted follower of the meek and lowly Jesus. A youth said, “I want to be a child of God; pray for me, pray for our family, that we may have a home in Heaven.” An aged brother said, “Beloved, my mother and my brethren, if Jesus’ little ones are here, then are they my relatives. One said to Jesus, long ago, ‘Thy mother and thy brethren desire to speak with thee.’ Jesus looked around upon his disciples and said, ‘Behold my mother and my brethren.’ The Saviour is speaking to us, saying, ‘My little ones, keep the Father’s commandments; take up the cross and follow where I shall lead.’ I entreat you, my brethren, to be firmly established in the faith. Agrippa said unto Paul, ‘Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.’ Almost will never save any of us. Those who not only believe but obey the commandments of God, and rely upon the merits of the blood of Christ, will meet him with joy and triumph, when he comes in the clouds of Heaven.” A sister, weeping, said, “I have two children; I want them to give their hearts to Jesus at this meeting. Bro. White said, Parents, come, and bring your children with you! I have brought mine with me, and I entreat your prayers that their hearts may be convicted and converted to the truth.” A sister said she was very thankful for this blessed privilege. The Lord is good. He blesses her. She wants to humble herself under the hand of God, that she may be exalted in due time. Another sister said she was still strong in the truth, striving, by the grace of God, to overcome her sins and gain eternal life, if it be by the loss of all other things. Still another sister said she was striving to be a Christian. She had no desire to turn back, but wanted to follow her Saviour, humbly and fully. Another sister said, “I am thankful for what my eyes behold and my ears hear and my heart feels. The mercies of God are indeed great. I have been sick and nigh unto death. I looked towards the camp-meeting and prayed, Lord, let me go! but nevertheless, do as thou pleasest with me; I was strengthened by the grace of God; and I endured the journey of seventy-five miles, and gained in strength all the way. I have been out to all the meetings and have155been greatly blessed. We have heard precious truths; they are committed to our trust, and we should profit by them. I hope that I shall be prepared to live more humbly and be more zealous in the cause of God. When I hear from those who are young in the faith, I feel my unworthiness deeply, that I am so poor a follower of Jesus. But the Lord has done great things for us, whereof our hearts are glad. Praise his holy name!” A sister said, “I want to have feeling and faith for others; I want to help my friends and neighbors, in the right way. I love to hear the testimonies of those who have recently embraced the truth; I am glad for the precious light that has filled my heart with hope and courage. Since I have come with this people, I have been greatly blessed. The truth that I have heard from the stand has done me great good. I want my children to be converted; they keep the Sabbath in form, but not in spirit. Pray for them.” A sister said, “I am the Lord’s. I love the dear Saviour. I have been blessed at this meeting. I want my ways to be right before God. I want a part in his kingdom.” A sister said, “I have no temptation to yield the truth. I came to this meeting to gain strength and spirit. Thank God, I have been brought out of darkness into his marvelous light. The truth is precious to my soul.” A sister said, “I feel it is my duty to acknowledge that this is a precious privilege to me. I felt that I must come to this meeting to gain instruction in the way of life. I cannot be left behind. I must have an interest in the resurrection. I want my name recorded in the book of life.” A sister said, “I am glad to find a people who are keeping the commandments, in faith. I want to be one with them and meet the Lord in peace.” A sister said, “This is the second camp-meeting I have attended; I feel thankful that I have received the blessing of God since I came here. I give thanks to the Lord for sparing the life of my husband. This is a heart-searching time. I used to think that I was sure of the kingdom, but since I have heard the third angel’s message, I see of a truth where I was standing. I feel as nothing in the sight of the Lord. I rejoice that I have the light of this message. I feel that I must have hope and faith, and rely wholly upon my Redeemer, who can save to the uttermost.” TESTIMONY FOR THE SABBATH.
By CHARLES P. WHITFORD
In a work entitled “Infant Baptism,” published by the Boston Congregational Board, in 1866, the writer labors to prove that “infant baptism was sanctioned by Christ, practiced by the apostles, and universally adopted as a divine ordinance by the apostolic churches.” For the truth of this proposition he says, “We appeal to the history of the church.” Interspersed with his arguments favoring infant baptism, he has given us some good testimony in favor of the ancient Sabbath of the Lord; by admitting that the Scriptures are silent concerning first-day observance. We are Protestants, and believe that the Bible is a sufficient rule of faith and practice, and this is why, when our attention was called to the fact that “the Scriptures are silent concerning first-day observance,” we were led to rest upon the seventh day, that of which the Scriptures everywhere say, “The seventh day is the Sabbath.” After having advanced some fifty pages with his argument the writer says, “But for all this there are many who will say that they have but little confidence in the historical argument, for surely if it were necessary for us to baptize our children the Saviour or his apostles would have told us so; and one sentence from the New Testament would be of more worth than a volume of extracts from the fathers. But we tell the objector that he must have confidence in the historical argument, or give up things of more importance than infant baptism. Our observance of the first day of the week as a Sabbath rests upon this argument. We find this day set apart as a day of rest and public worship by almost every denomination of Christians throughout the world, and the observance of it is considered by all as obligatory. By whose authority has this day been thus set apart? Is this institution from Heaven, or is it of man? If the answer is, From Heaven, we ask, How do you know that? It is in vain to quote the fourth commandment; for that relates to the seventh day. It is in vain to send us to the New Testament; for the Saviour has left us no precept requiring us to keep this day holy, nor is there any account of the manner in which the apostles observed it to be found in their writings. How, then, do we know—how can we know—the will of Christ in regard to this matter? We search the history of the church, and we believe its testimony. We ask the successive ages, as they pass in review before us, from whence they received this institution, and by what authority the seventh day has been exchanged for the first.” Here the writer makes an appeal to historical evidence, and then says, “This is the ground upon which we receive and hold fast one of the most important institutions that God ever gave to man.” Reader, are you a Protestant? and is this your authority for so important an institution as that of the Sabbath? The writer continues: “Silence the voice of history, and where should we be? We deem it sufficient to prove that the Christian Sabbath is a divine institution.” “If we give up infant baptism on the ground that the uniform testimony of the fathers of the church for many hundred years after the apostles is not sufficient to produce conviction, how shall we answer the Seventh-day Baptist, who rejects the Christian, and keeps the Jewish, Sabbath?” “There is no express command in the New Testament which requires Christians to worship God on the Sabbath at all; and yet do we ever hear, from Christians at least, an objection against the observance of the Sabbath or public worship, grounded on this silence? No new command in relation to the Sabbath is necessary; for the fourth commandment of the decalogue is binding upon the church in all ages.” Such is the testimony in favor of the ancient Sabbath of the Lord from a prominent and learned man of the Congregational denomination. Professor Mahan says, “Admissions in favor of truth from the ranks of its enemies, constitute the highest kind of evidence.” Here are admissions in favor of the Sabbath as strong as Sabbatarians could ask or wish; and that, too, from the ranks of those who would not make them if the Sabbath was the subject under consideration. Notice the remarks, “It is vain to quote the fourth commandment; for that relates to the seventh day;” and again, “The fourth commandment of the decalogue is binding upon the church in all ages.” What better argument could be adduced in favor of the down-trodden Sabbath of the Lord? Reader, remember that God’s word is truth. It reveals the “words of knowledge” which are able to make you wise unto salvation through faith in Christ. The words of man are vanity; his wisdom is folly. “Take heed that no man deceive you.”