Earlier text: RAPOLOGY EXPLAINEDHas the correct numbering of the days of the week been preserved so that the real seventh day may now be known? We will show that it has, and that there need be no doubt on this point. We would first remark that it is frequently the case that when we urge the claims of the fourth commandment upon individuals, those, too, who profess to observe the first day of the week in honor of Christ's resurrection, they object on the ground that we cannot tell which the true seventh day is. They, however, have no difficulty in ascertaining when the first day of the week comes. Such are not a little inconsistent. For if they know when to observe the first day of the week, as a sabbath in honor of the resurrection of Christ, they also know when the seventh day should be observed, to commemorate God's Rest on the seventh day of the first week of time. Certainly, the Sabbath [Rest] of the Lord, comes the day before their sabbath. But God has pointed out the true seventh day, at certain periods of time, in a manner sufficiently plain to satisfy the most sceptical mind that has any faith in divine revelation. On the seventh day God rested, after his work of creation in six days. After he had rested on the seventh day, he then and there—and at no other time and place—"blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it; because that in it he had rested." Gen. ii, 2, 3. Now, pass down from creation to the giving of the manna, [Ex. xvi,] a period of about 2500 years, and it will be seen that there the God of heaven pointed out the true seventh day, which is called, "the rest of the holy Sabbath unto the Lord." Speaking of the manna, it is said: "Six days ye shall gather it; but on the seventh day, which is the Sabbath, in it there shall be none." "And it came to pass, that there went out some of the people on the seventh day for to gather, and they found none." Verses 26, 27. There God pointed out to Israel the true seventh day by withholding the manna on that day. He who rested on the seventh day, and then sanctified the day of his rest, in pointing out the day to Israel, knew when to withhold the manna. Thus the seventh day, which God made holy at creation, was pointed out. Now, pass down over a period of about 1600 years, to the First Advent. There the Son of God claims to be Lord of the Sabbath. "Therefore, the Son of man is Lord also of the Sabbath." Mark ii, 28. It will be admitted by all, that the Lord of the Sabbath knew when the day of the Sabbath came. So the knowledge of the true seventh day is preserved to the church of Christ. The most intimate followers of the Lord of the Sabbath, beheld how the body of their Master was laid in the sepulchre, then "returned, and prepared spices and ointments; and rested the Sabbath day according to the commandment." Luke xxiii, 55, 56. To do this, they must have had knowledge of the true seventh day; for the commandment says, "The seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord." If the real number of the days of the week had been lost at some time from the creation to the First Advent, it would not at all affect the question. For the Eternal God, in giving the manna, pointed out the true seventh day, the day on which he rested, about 2500 years after creation. And then his Son, who came into the world about 1600 years after the giving of the manna, claimed to be Lord of the Sabbath.—If the true seventh day had been lost during that 1600 years, he would most certainly have corrected the error. As he corrected no such error, but kept the day then observed as the Sabbath, it is certain that the true numbering of the days of the week had been preserved during that 1600 years. We would say to those who hold that the Sabbath is merely Jewish, that to admit that the true numbering of the days of the week was lost during that 1600 years, would reflect greatly upon the character of their Jewish Law-giver. It would charge him with giving the Jews the law of the seventh-day Sabbath, with the penalty of death for its violation, then leaving them without sufficient means to retain the knowledge of the day he commanded them to observe! A small portion of the professed church, however, hold that the Sabbath is Jewish. The body believe that it was made for man at creation, and was to be perpetuated through all time. The fact that another day is now generally observed for another reason, (though wholly unscriptural,) does not affect this point. For those who hold that the Sabbath was made for man, to doubt whether the true number of the days of the week has been preserved from creation, equally reflects on the character of God. But as strange as it may appear, there are those at the present time who profess to believe that the first day of the week is the true seventh day. The absurdity of this view is fully and fairly shown in an article headed, "Is Sunday the True Seventh Day?" by "J. N. A.," published in the REVIEW, Vol. III, No. 7. From that article we quote the following:— In what year of the Christian Era did all Christendom change the reckoning of the week, and thenceforward call the seventh day of the week the first day? What historian records this extraordinary event? If there is such a writer, how does he explain that all the jarring sects and contending factions of the professed church, scattered over the face of the wide earth, and fiercely warring with each other, should by a simultaneous mistake, without a dissenting voice, adopt the idea that the seventh day was in reality the first day of the week? As there is no such writer, who knows that such an event ever did happen? But how did it happen that the Jews who had the knowledge of the true Sabbath as late as Jerusalem's destruction, [Matt. xxiv, 20,] and who were then dispersed into all nations under heaven, [Luke xxi, 24,] made a corresponding mistake? Does not the fact that they have ever hated those who have even nominally borne the name of Christ, forbid the idea that they would ever agree to such a change in the reckoning of the week? If such an agreement was ever made between the parties, was it not on this wise: the Christians were to call the seventh day from thenceforth the first day of the week, and the Jews out of respect to this new method of reckoning the week, were to take up the sixth day in the place of the seventh, which they then and there relinquished, and, thenceforward call the sixth day the seventh; and observe it religiously as such. But as such an agreement never could take place, and certainly never did, will you say that both parties might make a mistake in the case? Do you think it possible that every individual in every sect and order in the Christian world, could, at the same moment, make precisely the same mistake? And as they had previously, according to this theory, kept Sunday because it was the seventh day of the week, how could they, after making the supposed mistake in the reckoning, go forward and keep it because it was the first day, and no one dissent or notice that any change had happened. But is it not a still more extraordinary thing, that not only every Christian made a mistake in the reckoning of the week at the same moment of time, but every Jew, also, in every land under heaven, made at the same moment, precisely the same mistake?—Should you not think that if the idea of keeping Sunday as the first day of the week, did not bring even a single Christian to his senses, when before the time of this mistake all of them had kept it as the seventh day, I say, should you not think that when they saw the Jews keeping one day, and themselves observing another, (when before this mutual mistake, Jews and Christians, according to this theory, both kept Sunday as the seventh day,) that this would have led some of them to see that something was wrong? Let me state this doctrine: Jews and Christians throughout the world, were once united in keeping Sunday as the seventh day. At a certain point of time, every professor of Christianity throughout the world mistook the reckoning of the days of the week, and, calling Sunday the first day of the week, thenceforward kept it because it was such! While every Jew throughout the world, at the same time, by mistake, called Sunday (the day which he had always observed) the first day of the week, and selecting the sixth day or Saturday, he thenceforward religiously observed it as the true seventh day!!! But as there is still another witness, who has kept the reckoning of the days of the week, we inquire again. Perhaps, in the mouth of two or three witnesses, the point may be established. The Mahometans kept a different day of the week from either Jews or Christians. Do they reckon the days of the week in the same manner that Jews and Christians do? Mahomet selected the sixth day of the week as a Sabbath for his followers. Is it not a remarkable fact, that the sixth day of the Mahometan week corresponds exactly to the sixth day of the week as reckoned by Jews and Christians? If it can be supposed that all who bear the name of Christian, of every sect, and in every land, could all make the same mistake at the same moment, and no one of them perceive or rectify it; if, in addition to this, we can go another step and conclude that the Jews, who are dispersed in every corner of the habitable earth, could all, without dissent, at the same time, make a mistake that should exactly correspond to that of their hated and hating Christian brethren, have we not gone as far in believing absurdities as you can ask us to go? But when we have agreed to all this, you require us to take another step in absurdity. The Christians, to a man, made this mistake in the reckoning of the week; at the same time, and to a man, the Jews made a mistake that precisely corresponded; and to crown the whole, the Mahometans made a mistake in the reckoning of the week that precisely corresponded to that of the Jews and Christians! "Believest thou all this?!" If a mistake had been made, is it not absolutely certain that there would be a discrepancy somewhere? As there is no such discrepancy, is it not absolutely certain that no such mistake exists? We can hardly find it in our power to believe that the inhabitants of a single school-district could, at the same point of time, make a mistake in the days of the week, and to heighten the wonder every one make precisely the same mistake! But when we extend this simultaneous act to all the districts in a town, thence to all the towns in a county, thence to all the counties in a state, and thence to all the states in the Union, we have carried the matter almost an infinite distance beyond reason or credibility. But as there are three vast bodies who have kept the reckoning of the week, we will introduce two other nations, that each witness may be represented.—We will begin with England. At the same time when every individual in this nation (in the case supposed) made a mistake in the reckoning of the week, every individual in England made a mistake on the same point, so as to correspond exactly to the mistake made here. (Else a discrepancy in the reckoning would show an error at once.) And at the same moment, every individual in France made a mistake corresponding exactly to the mistake made by every individual in England and the United States. And so perfectly deceived was every one of these persons, that they continued their dates, records, &c., and never mistrusted that a mistake had been made! But all this is not so remarkable as the supposed mistake of Jews, Christians, Mahometans, and all nations! That these classes, each composed of many millions, not confined to any country, but scattered in every land under heaven, should all make a mistake—should all make the same mistake, and should all make the same mistake at the same time, and no individual of the number ever discover, or ever suspect that such a mistake had taken place, is a theory not only absolutely unreasonable and in the highest degree absurd, but it is positively beyond the power of those who would, to credit it!! THIS GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM.
By Editor
THE blessed Saviour gave as a sign of the near approach of the end the following: "This gospel of the kingdom must be preached in all the world for a witness to all nations; then shall the end come." Is this the gospel in its common acceptation? Or is it a particular part of the glad tidings? It seems to be a reference to the question of the disciples.—"What shall be the sign of thy coming and of the end of the world?" The first sign given, then, is "this gospel of the kingdom," &c. Does not "this gospel," refer to the glad tidings of Christ's coming to set up his everlasting kingdom? Did not the Saviour mean to say, that just previous to his coming, there would be a general proclamation of his coming? That it is not the ordinary proclamation of gospel truth, is clear from the fact that in that sense it was preached to the world in the apostolic age. First, on the day of Pentecost, it was published to devout men out of every nation under heaven. Of course, they would carry it abroad. Then Paul affirmed in his day, that "the gospel" was "preached to every creature which is under heaven." Col. i, 23. That glad tidings was, "To you is born in the city of David, a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord." Luke ii, 10, 11. But "this gospel of the kingdom," proclaims "the hour of his judgment is come." Rev. xiv, 7. This last, is the everlasting glad tidings of the kingdom or reign of Christ. It is to be proclaimed by the flight of the messenger or angel who bears it, to every kindred, nation, tongue and people. When this is accomplished, "then shall the end come." Is this everlasting glad tidings now preached in all the world for a witness to all nations? So far as we have the means of knowing, it is. Within the last few years, there has been a continuous effort by the believers in the speedy coming of the Lord, to send light on this subject to the whole world. And so far as the opportunity has offered, publications have been sent to every English and American Mission in the world. These publications have gone to the various parts of the four quarters of the earth, and various islands of the sea. The English Adventists have, also, for the last twenty odd years, been engaged in the same work, and their efforts have sounded through the world. Joseph Wolfe, some ten years since, went through the interior and southern parts of Asia, proclaiming the coming kingdom of the Lord. Something like 20 years ago, an English Missionary wrote, that it was believed that about this time (about 1844) Christ would come. The recent account of the emigrants from Norway, of the spread of the doctrine in that country, is but a sample of its spread over the world. A young man in this city, who has recently returned from a whaling voyage around Cape Horn, relates the spread of the doctrine in the Pacific, and on the western coast of South America. It will show at the same time how our enemies have assisted in spreading the cry. "We can do nothing against the truth but for the truth." The Whale ship, William C. Neyl, of New London, Ct., fell in with a New Bedford ship, sometime in the month of February off Cocas Island. The crew of the New London ship received from the New Bedford vessel, the news from the United States. Among many other things they were told that "Miller predicted the end of the world on the 23d of April." They were on their homeward voyage, and the latter part of March, they put into the port of Talcahuano, on the coast of Chili. It was a Spanish Catholic settlement. But when they arrived, they learned the same story had been circulated there, which had met them on the ocean. They were in port on the 23d of April. When the day arrived the whole community were in a state of consternation, and during a dreadful thunder-storm, which occurred that day, they were in momentary expectation of the coming of Christ. Mr. Wardell our informant, says that the thing was understood far back in the interior; and that persons from a hundred miles back in the country had been brought together at the town for the occasion. It is thus the New York SUN has given light to the world, and sent it to the regions and places we could not have reached. But it will be asked, "If the news that such a truth is preached, is a sufficient proclamation to fulfill the prophecy. The answer is: If it was sufficient in the days of the apostles, it is now. That it was then, is clear from Acts xix, 8-10. Where Paul preached as taught in EPHESUS two years so that all they in Asia, both Jews and Greeks, heard the word of Jesus.—They could not all have heard a sermon, but they heard the sound of the gospel. In this sense I have no doubt but the gospel of the kingdom is preached in all the world.—Signs of the Times, Vol. VI. No. 13, 1843. COMMUNICATIONS.
By R. F. Cottrell
DEAR BRO. WHITE:—I had the opportunity, when last in Rochester, of seeing the man, through whose instrumentality I was led to see that the third angel’s message is present truth. I had seen that the Advent movement fulfilled prophecy, but was in doubt whether it might not be a false fulfillment—the work of man, and not the work of God. While doubting thus, but earnestly seeking the truth, an article written by J. B. Cook enabled me to decide the point in my own mind. I was led to see that, “there are no agencies adequate to give birth to predicted events, save such as God employs; consequently when they occur, we may know without a doubt, not only that they are a fulfillment, but also that God has done it.” I can now trust in the providence of God, and see that the people that are following down the track of prophecy are in the light of the truth; and that neither prophecy or providence stopped with the first or the second angel’s message. But what sad reflections filled my mind on seeing the man who once stood in the light of the truth—the holy Sabbath not excepted—determined to “throw off the last rag of the mother of harlots;” but now, having forsaken that pillar of light that led the Israel of God down to the tenth day of the seventh month 1844, and then took its place in their rear—light still to Israel, but darkness to their enemies, the Egyptians, is left to grope his way in darkness, and turn back to the fable of a probationary millennium in the future. Having forsaken his Father’s table where once he feasted, now attempting to fill himself with the husks which the swine do eat. Such scriptures as the following would force themselves upon my mind. For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, and have tasted of the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, if they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame. Heb. vi, 4-6.
For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, but a certain, fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. Heb. x, 26, 27.
For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire. 2 Pet. ii, 20-22.
It is well known that the doctrines of a temporal millennium and return of the Jews were vomited up by those who received the light on the prophetic periods. And it is no wonder; for an apostle had declared, in reference to Jews and Gentiles, there is no difference. Also, they that are Christ’s are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise. Some also, vomited the Pope’s Sabbath and received the Sabbath of the Lord, but have since turned from the holy commandment. I can look upon them only with pity and regret. I would not add one drop to their bitter cup; for the way of the transgressor is hard. Would to God it might appear that they have not sinned willfully. These reflections are made that myself and others may be warned, that we fall not after the same example of unbelief. We are perfectly satisfied that we have the truth, and that our Father looks with approbation upon our course, in taking the position we now occupy. But there always was danger of being exalted through conceited knowledge, and being led to trust in ourselves and forget our dependence on God. Poor human nature is apt to say, I am rich and increased in goods, and have need of nothing, when in fact it is wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked. Let us not be lifted up with pride, and fall into the condemnation of the Devil. Let us learn by each example of apostasy.—Let us fear, lest a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of us should come short of it. In the strength of the Lord we can run through a troop, and leap over a wall; but our own strength is weakness, and our wisdom is folly. LOUISA MCLELLAN
By Louisa McLellan
DEAR BRO. WHITE:—The time seems long since you were at my house. O that you could have spent a longer time with us; yet we all feel thankful that we have had the pleasure of speaking together on this earth. Our acquaintance has been short, but O that it may be lasting as the ages of eternity. Our little band of six here meet together twice a week, and the Lord is with us. We feel to praise the Lord, regardless of what our enemies say about us. We feel that the Lord being on our side, we have nothing to fear. Glory be to his great and holy name, that he ever prepared ways and means whereby I might know and understand the truth of his pure and holy Word. God be praised that I was willing to search for the true light. I have felt for about four months as I never felt before. I would think that I would go and warn my friends and neighbors that the time was close at hand when our Saviour would come and we not be prepared to meet him in peace. Such were my feelings before brother N. moved into our neighborhood who kept the Sabbath. I was very anxious to know why they kept that day. After a short time I became satisfied it was just what I had long been waiting for. I have now kept four or five Sabbaths, and my desire is to do the will of God not fearing man. I have often heard that the love of God in the heart casts out all fear, and I can truly say that I never enjoyed myself so well as for a few months past and my pathway seems to grow brighter and clearer every day. I have no friend that can hold me from the arms of Jesus. I daily seek to know and do his will. We have had no preaching here for some time; but dear brethren and sisters, we shall not always be so far from each other as we are now. It cannot be we are deceived; for it is truth on every point. I feel in regard to this, as though I had always been in darkness. I have slumbered away many years, as it were. God be praised, I have now waked up to a sense of my duty to my Saviour. O that I may not turn traitor, but that I may be a true and valiant soldier to fight for king Immanuel. O may the thought of the Saviour’s soon coming, rouse every thought to action, and may we all be faithful to our Master, and faithful to our fellow mortals, who know not the truth; yet my prayer is that our brethren who labor in the field, may be wholly swallowed up in the love of God, and their words may be clothed with power, come from the heart, and reach the hearts of the unbelievers,39and many more souls be turned to praising God. "Earth has engrossed my love too long
'Tis time to lift mine eyes
Upward, dear Father, to thy throne,
And to my native skies." Hastings, Mich., June 30th, 1853. JOHN BYINGTON
By John Byington
DEAR BRO. WHITE:—There are some who are now embracing the Sabbath truth in connection with the Advent doctrine, that were not in the move from the commencement, or the former messages. They hear from every quarter the cry of delusion, and others who are partly awakened, are warned to keep away from this people. Now such need all they can have to strengthen their faith, and encourage them in the good work. There may be some who read the Review that think much of the sentiments of John Wesley, who are not familiar with his writings. I thought I would give one or two extracts from his notes. On the subject of the two horned beast [Rev. xiii] he says, "He has not yet come, though he cannot be far off; for he is to appear at the end of the forty-two months of the first beast." On the 15th verse, speaking of antichrist, he says, "It seems his last and most cruel persecution is to come. This persecution the reverse of all that preceded it will, as we may gather from many scriptures, fall on the outward court worshipers, the formal Christians. It is probable few real Christians shall perish by it; on the contrary, those who watch and pray always shall be accounted worthy to escape all these things and stand before the Son of man." Is not this a fair description of the last time when formal professors, who remain in Babylon, will say Lord, Lord, open unto us, and then sudden destruction will come upon them, while those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, will be delivered by the coming of the Son of man to translate them to the Paradise of God. On Rev. xxi, Wesley remarks, "The new heaven and the new Earth and the new Jerusalem are closely connected. This city is wholly new, belonging not to this world, not to the millennium, but to eternity." "That its inhabitants have real bodies and the city is an abode distinct from its inhabitants, and proportioned to them, who take up a finite and determinate space." How very different this view from the many who call themselves the followers of John Wesley. See Wesley's Notes. Buck's Bridge, N. Y., 1853. Six Sabbath Keepers in Hope
By J. M. McLellan
DEAR BRO. WHITE:—There are six of us here that keep the Sabbath, and are trying to keep all of the commandments. I have just received the Review, and read the letters from the dear brethren and sisters, and I rejoice to hear of their bright hopes of the future, that will soon break in upon their vision. We have trials and troubles besetting us upon all sides, but this only serves to confirm us in the faith; for we should fear that we were not on the road to that celestial City if we met with no bitter persecution and opposition. I hope that we may be able to keep our eyes from being diverted from the glorious prize which the Saviour has gone to prepare for his waiting saints. We must obtain the victory over the beast and his image and receive the seal of the living God. And we have but a short time to do it in; for time is fast closing. It must be done ere the last notes of the third angel die away. Time is precious. I feel that the day of retribution is at hand. O how I long to see that day, that happy day, when all our trials and troubles shall have an end, and the saints shall all be safely anchored in the haven of eternal rest. Says the Saviour, "fear not little flock, it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom."—O, what a glorious promise. Let us be faithful a little longer and we shall wear the crown. Yes, we shall wear the never fading laurels of Paradise. Yours in hope of the soon coming of Prince Immanuel.
J. M. MCLELLAN. Hastings, Mich., June 30th, 1853. The Sweetness of the Third Angel’s Message
By Elon Everts
DEAR BRO. WHITE:—I feel deep gratitude to my blessed Lord, for the recent visit of Brn. Hutchins, Lockwood and Phillips, and Sisters Lockwood and Phillips, in the power and fullness of the third angel's message. O, how sweet, melting, heavenly and reviving, yet how solemn and humbling, poured the faith of Jesus into our souls. Yes, this is the sweetest of the third angel's message. But the narrowness and straightness of the way thrills my whole being with solemnity. The thoughts of our many ills and infirmities, which our frail flesh is heir to, that death, the relentless, last enemy is on our track, and his certain victim we are, for aught all earth can do, (yea, “cursed be he that trusteth in man, or makes flesh his arm,”) would cause me to fear were it not, that the poor despised, exposed remnant had the last mercy drops, of the last message of mercy to the world, for a shield. Yes we can grasp all that our dear Saviour has bestowed in such fullness upon us, to harness us for the coming conflict between the two kingdoms, that we may be unspeakably blessed with the faith of Jesus. The dear brethren enjoyed a great blessing in feeling the strong confidence of a soul-stirring witness of the presence of our dear merciful High Priest, in their recent meetings in Stowe and other places in that part of Vt., while stepping out on that part of the message: claiming through the unfailing promises, and name of Jesus a victory over sickness and pain; following the rule of James, in the faith of Jesus. O, how their glad comforted hearts, lighted up and beamed a heavenly brightness through their countenances, made certain by the falling tear, and thrilling exhortations, which drew out our humble, melted souls to respond a reciprocal heaven-raised amen.—Help Lord our faith, and swell it to a mustard seed size. How blessed the thoughts to dwell on, that as certain as that here a commandment-keeping company will be, so sure a company, and the same, the faith of Jesus will have. O! upon a worthless worm as I, may my pitying Lord grace bestow, and the faith once delivered to the saints to exercise. This faith, sure I feel, that all the 144,000, Mount Zion's throng, must and will have; inhaling healing breezes of Gilead, where our Great Physician dwells, who feels the keenest touch of all our infirmities. O, that my poor heart may, in deep contrition and love, melt down at Jesus' feet, and cry, crown him Lord of all. Come King Jesus. Amen. To me, thrilling omens of the nearness of the end of mercy's message have come, in the deep struggle for the last qualifying touch of the third angel's message, in the earnest fervent cry for unwavering faith, with heaven bestowed present power to make every whit whole. O, Lord in this momentous, perilous hour, hear and answers of mercy bestow; deepen, and spread the work, till like Israel of old, there may not one feeble one be found. ELON EVERTS.
July 7th, 1853. Unity in the Third Angel’s Message
By Electa Richmond
DEAR BRO. WHITE:—It is with pleasure we read the Review, and feel to praise the Lord for the Spirit of union it manifests. I believe the true church of God will be of one heart and one mind; and that our Saviour's prayer will be answered, that his children might be one, even as he and his Father are one. We are passing through trials, and we feel to mourn and pray earnestly for God to send us help from the heavenly Sanctuary. I praise the Lord for his merciful kindness unto us in giving us the third angel's message to separate us from the world. O that we were more consecrated to the will of the Lord. I believe the Lord will save all that are willing to abide by his word. It is about twenty-five years since I commenced trying to serve the Lord; and when I see how imperfect all my services have been, I feel to praise the Lord that he has been so merciful to me, that he has not withdrawn his Spirit from me and left me in darkness. O how wonderful is his love towards us! He looks upon the poor and afflicted ones, and does not despise their prayers. I have had many trials to pass through; but I know that these light afflictions, which are but for a moment, will work out for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; while we look not at the things that are seen, but at the things which are not seen. What are temporal things compared with spiritual; what are trials compared with the glory that is to be revealed when Jesus comes and we are made like him, and freed from the temptations of the enemy. I feel to praise the Lord for that blessed hope, and am determined by his grace, to strive to enter in at the strait gate. Jesus says, except we forsake all that we have, we cannot be his disciples. May we be enabled to keep all the commandments of God and the testimony of Jesus, is my prayer. Your sister, striving for the kingdom.
ELECTA RICHMOND.
Ashfield, Mass., June, 1853. The Sanctuary Is Being Cleansed
By J. E. Heath
DEAR BRO. WHITE:—The day hasteth greatly, and who shall escape the evils coming but those who watch and pray always, and exhort one another, and so much the more as they see the day approaching.—I believe Jesus is fulfilling the antitype of the high priest in the Most Holy, the days ended, the Sanctuary is being cleansed, and soon the atonement will be finished and the last one found worthy to be sealed. Christ said, he that doeth the will of my Father, is my mother, sister and brother; and this is his will that we love God and keep his commandments, even the seventh day for the Sabbath as the Lord and his disciples kept it, and not conform to the world and honor the Pope's day. James says, he that looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and is a doer of the work shall be blessed in his deed. I find that Christ's yoke is easy and my delight is in the law of the Lord. Even so let it be,
J. E. HEATH.
Boston, Mass., June, 1853. Keeping the Law of God
By Lewis Martin
DEAR BRO. WHITE:—I would say to you that I do believe in keeping the law of God, and, also, the law of Christ. The Apostle says, "Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." A few of us in this place are still holding on to the promises of God. I enjoyed a good meeting at Bro. Hastings, New Ipswich, two weeks ago last Sabbath. Bro. Baker and Bro. Stephen Smith and some others were there. Yours in hope,
LEWIS MARTIN.
Bennington, N. H., July 7th, 1853. FRANCES STRONG
By Frances Strong
DEAR BRO. WHITE:—I rejoice to hear through the columns of the Review of the farther advancement of the cause of present truth, and that there is an interest being awakened in the hearts of God's dear children, to the great work that lies before them.—Zion's watchmen are out upon the walls of Zion. O, let them not cease to give the cry, and raise the last warning voice, to the scattered and torn flock of Jesus. Although trials and afflictions await them and they are almost worn out with labor and fatigue, yet if faithful they will soon reap a glorious reward. O that every soul might be awake to their everlasting interest, and with their prayers and means help to hold up the hands of those who stand in the front of the battle, and speed on the swift messengers. Our foes are awake, and are making all the efforts in their power to hinder the work, and to keep back those who are willing to do the will of the Lord. Then let us endure hardness as good soldiers of the cross of Christ, and fight manfully the battles of our Lord, that we may but win Christ and be found of him, not having on our own righteousness, but that which is of Christ. It is through great tribulation that the saints will enter the promised land. These are they that have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb, therefore are they without fault before the throne of God. West Milton, N. Y., June 26th, 1853. Unwilling Testimony for the Sabbath.
By R. F. Cottrell
How many there are who have been almost persuaded to keep the Sabbath, and have confessed their convictions of the truth, but have, finally, found some argument that has quieted their troubled mind, and led them to think they can be saved in disobedience of the fourth commandment. How unconscious such persons are of the testimony they have thus borne in favor of the truth and against themselves. They must see, in the first place, strong arguments in favor of the Sabbath, or they never could have been convicted against all their prejudices and all their education from their infancy. I was taught the Sabbath from my youth, and, though surrounded with the advocates of the first day observance, I never felt the least conviction of sin because I did not keep it—never had a fear that I might be lost for disregarding it. And in all my acquaintance with Sabbath-keepers I never knew a case of a single individual being thus convicted. This shows where the truth lies, and every person whose early education has been thus shaken—who have had fears that they would be condemned for not keeping God's sanctified Rest-day, have borne a testimony, however unwillingly it may be, in favor of the truth. Who ever heard of a Christian being convinced that he ought to be circumcised and keep the law of Moses? I never knew such an instance. Did you?—And what is the reason? Because there is no evidence for it in the word of God. And why are men convicted, against all the prejudices of education, that they have been taught wrong concerning the Sabbath? Because there is abundant evidence in the Bible, that the Sabbath was made at creation,—that it was made for man, and is a part of that law, the transgression of which, the apostles declare to be sin. Dear reader, listen to your own convictions which come by hearing God's truth. Do not try to argue them down, that you may rest satisfied in disobedience, and so find, when it is too late to retrace your steps, that you have disregarded the word of truth, and the voice of enlightened conscience, and borne a testimony that will rise up against you and condemn you. Will it not be said to you, Out of your own mouth will I judge you? O, turn to the truth and live! while the long-suffering of God is waiting in the third angel's message, for your salvation. The Sabbath is a plain truth—a truth that all, learned and unlearned, can understand. How fitting it is that God's people should be tested by just such a truth, to draw the final, separating line between them that serve God, and them that serve him not. O, be wise! Obey God's holy law. R. F. COTTRELL.