Earlier text: COUNT THE COSTLIGHT ON THE PROPHECIES.
By Roswell F. Cottrell
Some go in search of light on Bible truth back toward the Dark Ages. They go to commentaries written some hundreds of years in the past for an exposition of prophecies relating to the closing events of time. I do not speak disparagingly of these commentators. Much light and truth may be elicited from them. But those who would cite us to them on prophecies that are now being fulfilled, which relate to the last days in the most emphatic sense, seem to forget the testimony of the prophets themselves to whom these things were revealed. Speaking of these things, said the angel to Daniel, “Shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.” “Go thy way, Daniel; for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly; and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.” Dan. 12:4, 9, 10. This testimony is equivalent to asserting that these prophecies of Daniel could not be fully understood till the time of the end; and that when that point is reached, knowledge on them should be increased, and the wise should understand them. Then no one that lived and died before the time of the end had the clear light on these prophecies. The further we go back toward the Dark Ages, the further we are from the light. Those who thus go back to the wisdom of the past, would do well to heed such testimonies as that of Prideaux, one of their chosen expositors. After giving the best light he had on the profanation and the cleansing of the sanctuary of Daniel’s prophecy, supposing that it had a primary and typical fulfillment in the times of Antiochus Epiphanes and of the Maccabees, he gives his opinion that in its full and complete sense it refers to the defilement of antichrist, during the 1260 years of its supremacy, and he very wisely remarks, “Those that shall live to see the extirpation of antichrist, which will be at [after] the end of those years, will best be able to unfold this matter, it being of the nature of such prophecies not thoroughly to be understood, till they are thoroughly fulfilled.” He refers us to the time of the end, beginning with the expiration of the 1260 years, for more light than was then had. He points us in the right direction. But those who live to see these prophecies “thoroughly fulfilled,” and the “extirpation of antichrist,” will live to see the coming of Christ; for of this wicked power Paul says, “Whom the Lord will consume with the spirit of his mouth, and destroy with the brightness of his coming.” 2 Thess. 2:8. Daily Quiet Virtues Better Than Great Deeds
ONE Niagara is enough for the continent or the world, while the same world requires thousands and tens of thousands of silver fountains, and gently flowing rivulets, that water every farm and meadow and every garden, and that shall flow on every night with their gentle, quiet beauty. So with the acts of our lives. It is not by great deeds, like those of the martyrs, that good is to be done; it is by the daily and quiet virtues of life, the Christian temper, the good qualities of relatives and friends, and all, that it is to be done.—Albert Barnes. THE SACREDNESS OF THE SABBATH.
By D. A. Robinson
The first word of the Sabbath commandment appeals to our memory. “Remember” says the Lord, “the Sabbath day to keep it holy.” The great Creator knew that man would be liable to forget his “rest-day,” so he says, “Remember.” We should sacredly regard this great memorial of creation’s King. This calm and peaceful visitor makes his weekly calls on the dwellers of this globe. He is not received alike by all. In many dwellings he is not permitted to enter. He calls, but is unnoticed by thousands; they see him not. At other doors he seeks admittance, but alas! he is met with a strong rebuff even by some who know of his approach. He only has blessings to leave and yet is he repulsed. Then does he not find a hearty reception anywhere? Ah yes, indeed. Go to the homes of those who are anticipating a visit from this resident of paradise. They know the time of his approach (at even, which is at the going down of the sun). The daily toils are ended, the earthly cares are laid aside, and all are ready to give him a sweet welcome to their homes. They can truthfully sing, “Another six days’ work is done;
Another Sabbath is begun.”
Peace and quiet reign supreme in such a dwelling, and the inmates can say, “Thine earthly Sabbaths Lord we love.”
What a contrast is this to that home where the entrance of the Sabbath finds everything in confusion. He has called on them too soon. They tried to get ready to receive him, but the trouble was they did not begin soon enough, and when he came they were not prepared to greet him with song and praise. My brother, my sister, did you ever seek to prepare to meet an expected friend and fail in your endeavors? Doubtless you have. And at such times how you have been vexed, disappointed, and chagrined to think you did not get ready. Do you feel as badly when the holy Sabbath enters your dwelling and you are not ready for it? If not, there is occasion for coming a little nearer and drinking in more of the spirit of this sacred institution. “And hallow my Sabbaths,” saith the Lord, “and they shall be a sign between me and you that ye may know that I am the Lord your God.” To hallow the Sabbath on our part is to sacredly set that day apart to its proper use. Not nine-tenths of it simply, but the day itself. Let us be careful to sacredly guard the day that belongs to God. He has placed it in our hands, not for us to use for our own personal pleasure or profit, but to keep it as a sacred memento, and not to desecrate a moment of its holy hours by secular acts that should have been performed before its commencement, or perhaps might remain till the Sabbath has passed. The busy season of the year is upon us, and here we are all especially in danger of encroaching upon God’s holy Sabbath day. The Lord understood how this would be, and gave this instruction in speaking of the Sabbath: “In earing time (seed time) and in harvest thou shalt rest.” Ex. 34:21. Thus at all times we are to revere this blessed rest-day. Many of us can improve in this respect. Who of us does not enjoy being in a home when the Sabbath comes where all are ready for it? We all do. And angels of God are attracted to such places. Let us, as far as in our power, be prepared to meet them. D. A. ROBINSON. Kiron, May 19.—I have been here about five weeks visiting from house to house, distributing tracts and papers, and speaking to the people on the important truths for the last days. The hearers are attentive. There seem to be those here who love the truth. How many will have the courage to take a stand, remains to be determined. I have had the privilege of meeting with the Swedish Sabbath-keepers for a few Sabbaths past. We hope to see the Sabbath-school and Sabbath meeting which they have organized, a success. In the Sabbath-school the weekly Instructor and Swedish Harold have been used as helps. Bro. and Sr. Wakeman, who are teachers in the town, have rendered efficient aid. We have obtained several new subscribers for the Swedish paper. Sloan.—Since my last report I have labored four miles from Sloan, in Woodbury Co., and about the same distance from Seargent’s Bluffs, near by. I have had some tokens of the Lord’s care and love for mankind in giving them the truth for the time. At the two places there are but few Danes, and hence no good chance for giving a full course of lectures, but I have held some meetings, sold some books, and seven have subscribed for the Harold and Tidende. Some good has been done. New Haven, Troy, and Cleveland.—Thursday, May 15, we held meetings with the friends at New Haven. Two or three have been keeping the Sabbath here for several years. Lately some have moved here and some have come into the truth, so that now there are about a dozen. They hold regular meetings and a Sabbath-school. We organized a church of eight. Others will come in soon. All pledged a tithe. Enough was pledged to thoroughly furnish the Sabbath-school with all it needs, also blank books for the church, S. S., and the T. and M. work. Eld. St. John spoke in town in the evening to a fair audience. One of our brethren here has the control of a meeting-house, so we can hold meetings any time we like. It is designed to give a course of lectures here during the year. I came to Troy Sabbath, May 17. At 9:30 A. M. we found the School-house well filled with a good Sabbath-school. There are quite a number of young people and children here, and they appear to take a deep interest in the Sabbath-school. They have good singing. All the friends in that section were out, and we had as pleasant a meeting as I have attended in a long time. Previously the church has been small, some much backslidden, and others discouraged. Last winter Bro. Guilford came here, and the Lord blessed his labors. The church was aroused, a goodly number converted, the Sabbath-school built up, and a good outside interest manifested. We had a full house all the time, and freedom in speaking. Sabbath day all were deeply moved, and several arose for prayers. At the last meeting two men promised to keep the Sabbath. The brethren pledged over $100 for their T. and M. society to pay their debt and raise a fund for future work. They purchased everything needed for the Sabbath-school, the church, S. S., T. and M., &c. They are abundantly able to build a meeting-house, which I hope they will do within the year. Bro. St. John may pitch his tent here this summer. Tuesday, May 20, we met with the church in Cleveland. About twenty had assembled at a private house, being gathered from twenty miles around on each side. We took up various items of business, in which each one manifested a good interest. All voted to pay the tithe, $42 was pledged for the T. and M. society, and more paid in than enough to pay up all their debts and furnish them with the blank books. All the business is carefully kept in the new books. We spent the afternoon in trying to settle a difficulty between two brethren, the first business of the kind we have found it necessary to do for months. I am glad to say that nearly all our churches in Ohio are free from these miserable church trials. At Clyde, last winter, we had a little of it, but it was soon settled. Bowling Green is blotted and cursed with it still—the only church we have failed to relieve. We believe the matter at Cleveland will occasion no further trouble. Happily the church was not involved in it. There are some excellent members in and around Cleveland. Bro. St. John designs to pitch his tent in a small village on the borders of the city, where most of the church could meet if others are raised up. So closed my labors in this district, one of the richest, most pleasant and promising fields I was ever in. Paulding and Dunkirk, May 10-18.—I met the brethren in Paulding, Sabbath and first-day, May 10, 11. The court-house being occupied, we went to a school-house three miles in the country. The brethren were nearly all out, and we enjoyed the meetings very much. The 16th to the 18th, I visited the Sabbath-keepers at Dunkirk for the purpose of organizing a church. I spoke Sabbath on the importance of organization and the requirements in order to become a member. Arrangements being made for baptism, we went on Sunday to the Blanchard river, five miles distant, where nine followed their Lord in baptism. We then returned to the hall to complete the organization. Bro. J. J. Myers was then elected elder and ordained. Others desire baptism the first of June, when the tent is to be pitched there for a few days. The brethren at Dunkirk raised $8.75 with which to purchase tracts, and expect soon to be united with the T. and M. society. I feel encouraged in the work of the Lord. TEXAS TENT.
By R. M. Kilgore
Denison.—Since last report our interest has remained good, and is now more settled. Several are keeping the Sabbath. We are working for more. At our last Sabbath-school eighty-two were present, and their names enrolled. The Methodist minister, a week ago, took up the Sunday question in his pulpit. He took the ground that the Sabbath was kept from creation till the resurrection of Christ, but it was then changed. I reviewed him on Monday night. Last night Rev. Kone, Baptist, who formerly wrote over the signature, "Zim Zam," from the same pulpit read a manuscript of a future tract on the same subject. He denied that the Sabbath was a memorial of creation, but stated that it existed first at, and was a memorial of, the giving of manna; that when Christ, the true bread, came down from Heaven, the type was met; and the antitype, the Christian Sabbath, took the place of the one given to the Jews. I review him to-night. Thus the battle goes. I see no end yet. We are invited out every day. The people are kind, supplying our wants, providing oil for our lamps, etc. LETTER FROM SWEDEN.
By A. E. Bruce
Österlings in Stanga, April 15, 1879. DEAR BROTHER: Your welcome letter has reached me and I hasten to express my thankfulness for it. In answer to the question, How many in this vicinity are keeping the Sabbath and other kindred truths, I will say that there is one, who now lies at the point of death. She is eighty-three years old. There are also Madame Westberg and myself. I am seventy years old. And being old we do not come in close relation with many, so we can do but little in spreading the truth. I have sent a whole volume of the Herald to my friends and acquaintances. They have returned them to me without any reply. Some who have read have expressed an interest in them. It is now a practice that those who are in any office in the government must lose their wages, if they interest themselves for any other religion than the Lutheran. And even should men search and study for themselves, they expect to obtain no more light than did Dr. Luther and the preachers of the Lutheran sect. Some are afraid of the tracts and hardly dare read them. We get the appellation of Jews. Sunday is with175many the only time for the Sabbath; they say that Jesus was Lord over the Sabbath; they Methodists stand high among both the high and low classes. The Baptists have also a chapel in the southern part of Gottland. There are several sects here, and each is doing all it can to advance its own interests. Every sect believes its own doctrines best, and those who investigate usually find themselves standing at last on the same platform they had at first—uncertain as to what is right. I feel anxious that God's Holy Spirit may enter their hearts. Without the influence of the Holy Spirit there will be no success. Independently, one after another may be persuaded and conscientiously compelled to keep the Lord's Sabbath; but among the masses the Sabbath is of too small account, and with many it is even unnecessary. May the God of grace bless our American brethren with success in all their efforts. Pray for your friend and brother in Christ. These three were among the first who embraced the truth in Sweden. BLESSED ARE THE PURE IN HEART.
By J. E. Green
Blessed are they who are pure in heart,
Living calm lives of holiness;
Ever aiming from sin to depart,
Seeking the Saviour’s righteousness;
Striving to gain a spotless robe,
(Even than snow ’tis whiter far,)
Doing their fellow creatures good; Aiming to dwell where angels are,
Reaching forward to gain the prize
Eternal life, if they faithful prove Thinking naught too great sacrifice,
Heeding the words of Him they love.
Evil in act, or word, or thought, Putting away, and placing the mind
Upon the dear Saviour who for them bought
Redemption from sin of every kind.
Evil recitals the heart pollute, Inciting to sin and staining the soul.
Ne’er list to vile tales, but seek to refute, Hasten to flee from the tempter’s control.
Ever remember that life is too short
And precious by far, in sin to waste.
Remember also the Lord hath said
The pure in heart shall be surely blessed. Finlay, May 19.—Since my last report, I have been looking after tract society and tent matters generally. Have organized a tract society here with five new members. Last Sabbath three were baptized here. The occasion was a solemn and impressive one. Have nearly completed arrangements for pitching the tent at Sioux Falls, and have ordered it shipped to that place. S. B. WHITNEY. West Sumner.—I returned to this place May the 10th, and found those that commenced to keep the Sabbath still holding on. Some have overcome the use of tobacco, others are struggling for the victory and we hope to see others engage in the good work. We introduced the anti-rum and tobacco pledge; fifteen signed it, and we hope to see others do so. Sabbath, May 17, six were baptized, and we felt that God greatly blessed us. We organized a Sabbath School, and they took a club of 13 for the weekly Instructor. With but few exceptions our meetings have been quiet, and the best of attention has been given. This speaks well for the people. The success of the cause in this place depends largely upon the course which those pursue who have embraced it. May the Lord’s blessing still rest upon the people, and a crown of life be given to all that overcome. J. B. GOODRICH. Montcalm Co.—Since Conference I have spent one week at Sheridan visiting and preaching. Four were buried with their Lord by baptism, and a number of others will follow soon. I also spent four days at Stanton. The brethren here are anxious that a tent-meeting be held with them. They will bear the expenses, as far as they are able. One more decided to keep the Sabbath. The last two weeks I have held meetings at the Kuhn school-house eight miles from Sheridan. Three were keeping the Sabbath and seven more have begun since I came. Pray for the cause here. ORLANDO SOULE. Douglas.—After a stay of more than than two weeks, I closed my meetings here Sunday, May 18. The blessing of the Lord was with us from first to last. The instruction given was received with gladness of heart. The truth seemed precious to all. On the last day of the meeting, after a discourse on baptism, five were baptized, and at our last meeting in the afternoon, after solemnly vowing to perform every known duty in the church of Christ to the best of their ability, they were formally received into church fellowship. The occasion will not soon be forgotten by any who were present. There was hardly a tearless eye in the house. The brethren felt that these meetings were the most profitable ever held with that church. They were strengthened and cheered. Less than one year ago there were only fourteen members in the church; now, there are more than forty; and if they will remember their solemn vows and fulfill them, He who has begun the good work will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ. E. R. JONES. Jasper and Deerfield.—We have just closed a few meetings at Jasper with good results. On Sabbath, May 17, Bro. W. C. White was with us, to look after the Sabbath-school interest, and to give instruction in that branch of the work. Much interest was manifested, and some advanced steps were taken. Sunday, after a discourse on baptism, we repaired to a creek near by where six willing souls were buried with their Lord and arose to walk in newness of life. The occasion was pleasant and impressive. Scores of witnesses had gathered at the water, and a spirit of levity prevailed to some extent, but the restraining influence of the Spirit of God rested upon the scene, and all was hushed to stillness while we administered the solemn rite. In the afternoon we organized a church of eleven members. The Bible system of tithing was adopted. An elder, clerk, and treasurer were elected. At our last meeting, as we took each one by the hand, giving to them a charge to faithfulness in seeking a preparation of heart to meet God in peace in the Judgment, hearts were touched and tears flowed. Altogether, this has been a profitable time for the cause in Jasper. Recently we visited the few brethren at Deerfield. They still hold meetings on the Sabbath. We shall remember them in the future. M. B. MILLER. Weston, Dunn Co., May 18.—I have been visiting the different churches in this part of the conference during the past month. I found the brethren, for the most part, of good courage in the Lord, and feeling that they have a part to act in the closing work of the third angel's message. At Lincoln Center we found a company of twelve, most of whom came into the truth by reading. They did not wish to organize into a church at present, yet they are having their regular weekly meetings, and most of them will pay S. B. We organized a T. and M. society and a Sabbath-school. I have remained with the church at this place during the past week; held ten meetings with a fair outside attendance. One family have embraced the truth, and others are interested. If the brethren at this place remain faithful, I trust there will be a large company of Sabbath-keepers here before long. Yesterday, May 17, we had a blessed season. Four followed their Lord in baptism. We leave them feeling more determined than ever to live for God and his truth. We are now making preparations for our camp-meeting at Lucas, which will commence the 29th of this month. We hope to meet all the brethren there. Waverly, May 15.—Last Sabbath and Sunday I visited the David City church and held four meetings with them. This little church had been disturbed during the winter by certain men claiming to be ministers of Christ, but they had no credentials nor license from any religious denomination. They claimed to be endowed with the Holy Spirit, while the fumes of tobacco issued out of their mouths. They preached spirit, talked spirit, and said they had the Spirit of God, while at the same time they rejected the law of God, which the Spirit of God dwelling in Christ and the apostles never did. See Matt. 5:17-19; 1 Cor. 7:19; James 2:8-12. These men have formed a Union Band. Last Sunday they baptized quite a number. With these men, it is all Spirit. Let no one think that I discard the workings of the Holy Spirit of God upon the hearts of his people. God forbid. I believe we must have the Spirit of Christ or we are none of his. But I do say that the Holy Spirit of God in these last days, will not contradict the word which in other times it inspired holy men of God to write; for “holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” 2 Pet. 1:21. Let us not be led away from the truths of God’s word by these spiritual movements, but try the spirits, and see whether they are of God or not. “Hereby know ye the Spirit of God. Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh, is of God.” 1 John 4:1-3. What is it to confess Jesus? It is to keep his word and do it, and he taught us to keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. Rev. 14:12. Therefore to the law and the testimony; if they (the men who claim to have the Spirit of God and teach nothing but spirit) speak not according to the law and the testimony, it is because there is no light in them. Isa. 8:20. May the Lord keep this little company from this delusion. From the David City church I returned to the Valparaiso church. Since my last report one more has been added to this company. May they walk faithfully and show by their daily walk and conversation that they are the Lord’s, that others seeing their good works may be led to glorify God. H. Shultz. Omaha.—One young man has commenced to keep the Sabbath here. He resigned a situation as telegraph operator at $62.50 a month, thinking it would be of no avail to ask the company to make arrangements by which he could still keep it, as they work their employees seven days in the week and there were plenty of young men ready to take his place. But the superintendent, without solicitation, offered to put a young man in his place one night in the week, and still retain him in their employ. We believe God moved upon his heart to do so. This young man may make a valuable laborer, as he speaks the Swedish, German, and English languages, and could labor in these different tongues. He is already doing missionary work. Brethren, pray for him. I distributed over 1,600 pages of tracts, and quite a number of papers. Sold $6.00 or $7.00 worth of books, obtained three subscribers for the Signs, one for the Swedish Herald, and sixteen for Good Health. Hope in the future to see fruit of the seed sown. Albion, Boone Co., May 18. OHIO SABBATH-SCHOOLS.
By D. W. Reavis
Since the State quarterly meeting we have visited the three following schools, Dunkirk, Republic, and Clyde. At Dunkirk we found a school of about thirty-five members, some of whom are not Sabbath-keepers. All are quite young in the truth. The school is well supplied with Instructors, secretaries’ and teachers’ records, contribution box, bell, etc. Teachers’ meetings Monday evenings. The school at Republic is quite small; only eleven members, nearly all of whom are small children, yet they are not behind in the good work. They hold their school in a private house. They have a secretary, make contributions, keep class records, and take five copies of the Instructor. The Clyde school is now in good working order. They have everything that is necessary to run a first class Sabbath-school. They take fifteen copies of the Instructor, and will take more if they can use them. All these schools feel that the Sabbath-school is of as much importance as any other branch of our work, and they have resolved to put their hearts into the work as well as their pennies. May the Lord bless them. CHRISTIANA, NORWAY.
By John G. Matteson
The Lord is good, and new mercies call for new praise. We are thankful for every token of his favor. My health is now better than it has been. It is no small task to start so many enterprises as we have commenced here. Our paper, Tidenes Tegn, is gaining ground slowly. We have considerable expense to get the property bought in good shape for meetings and dwellings, but the means are coming in and the work is moving forward. We have commenced a Biblical Institute which promises to do much good. We are waiting with deep interest for the brethren to come from America to help in this work. HOW I CAME TO KEEP THE SABBATH.
By James Hardy
In the fall of A. D. 1877, I located in Afton, Union Co., Iowa, among a few Seventh-day Adventists. To gratify my curiosity and to learn the truth, if they had it, I attended their meetings of worship. The first thing I took notice of was their Christian energy and Christian devoutness. There were four other churches in town, and occasionally I attended all of them. I took notice of the marked difference there was in dress and ornament between the Adventists and the other worshiping congregations. I made up my mind that if the outward adorning would take people to Heaven they would all go there except the Adventists. I made up my mind also, that if there was any virtue in the keeping of the commandments of God, (which constitutes the inward adorning,) the Adventists had show for that. Nevertheless, I perceived that outward adorning among them which is disapproved in the law of the Lord. I hope they will take this thing into consideration, and so arrange their toilet as to conform to God’s requirements, and make that distinction to the world between the saint and the sinner which the commandments of God and the Christian virtues and graces require. I, firstly, made it a specialty to investigate their claim to the seventh day as being the Sabbath. For this purpose I read about three thousand pages. In the Bible, in the book of Genesis 2:3, I found God blessed the seventh day and set it apart as a day of rest. In the 20th chapter of Exodus [2,513 years from the time the Sabbath was instituted], I find it was incorporated into the ten commandments, written by the finger of God on the tables of stone and given to Moses on Mount Sinai. Thus it reads verbatim as given by the hand of God: “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work. But the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy man-servant, nor thy maid servant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates; for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it.” Thus I perceived that the Sabbath had stood good for 2,513 years. A little further on in the book of Exodus, beginning with the 12th verse of the 31st chapter, we read that “the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily my Sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am the Lord that doth sanctify you. Ye shall keep the Sabbath therefore; for it is holy unto you. Every one that defileth it shall surely be put to death; for whosoever doeth any work therein, that soul shall be cut off from among his people. Six days may work be done, but in the seventh is the Sabbath of rest, holy, to the Lord; whosoever doeth any work in the Sabbath day he shall surely be put to death. Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the Sabbath, to observe the Sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant. It is a sign between me and the children of Israel forever; for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested and was refreshed.” Again we read in Lev. 19:1, 2: “And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say unto them, Ye shall be holy; for I the Lord your God am holy. Ye shall fear every man his mother and father, and keep my Sabbaths: I am the Lord your God.” We are now far away from its origin, but the Sabbath is yet kept good, or in other words, the command yet stands in full force. In the 30th verse of this same 19th chapter we have the injunction again; “Ye shall keep my Sabbaths, and reverence my sanctuary: I am the Lord.” In the 16th chapter of Exodus, beginning with the 16th verse, I found the injunction very strenuously given to the Israelites in the wilderness to observe the Sabbath to keep it holy. A synopsis of it I will give. It will be remembered that God miraculously fed the children of Israel forty years in the wilderness on manna. A sufficient quantity of this bread food for one day’s use fell on five nights in succession, and on the sixth night a double quantity fell, so as to last over the Sabbath. This shows the respect God had for his rest day. Of this manna the Israelites were commanded to gather daily supplies during the five days, and on the sixth a double supply. So they had it on hand for the seventh day. When I took into consideration that God in heaven was keeping the Sabbath, what, thought I, can the end be of those on earth who keep it not? I had been brought up to strictly keep Sunday as the Sabbath, and I never had a thought but all was right in that respect, until, in the providence of God, I fell in here with a society of Seventh-day Adventists. And here, with this people, for the first time in my life, did I have the conviction that the Sabbath was kept in Heaven. But here it is just as plain that it is observed in Heaven as it is that it is observed on earth. No manna fell on the Sabbath-day: “Moses said to them, six days shall ye gather it; but on the seventh day, which is the Sabbath, in it there shall be none. And the Lord said unto Moses, How long refuse ye to keep my commandments and my laws? See, for that the Lord hath given you the Sabbath, therefore he giveth you on the sixth day the bread of two days; abide ye every man in his place, let no man go out of his place on the seventh day. So the people rested on the seventh day.” I could but be astonished with myself, that in occasionally reading this, for the last half century, I had never before realized the strictness of the Sabbath, both in Heaven and on earth. It was at this age of the world more than twenty-five hundred years after the Sabbath was instituted, and eight hundred and sixty-eight years past the flood; and yet the observance of the Sabbath was rigidly enforced; so much so that Moses told the Israelites that the Lord hath said, “To-morrow is the rest of the holy Sabbath unto the Lord; bake that which ye will bake to-day, and seethe that ye will seethe; and that which remaineth over, lay up for you to be kept until the morning.” And in Lev. 23:3, the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, “Six days shall work be done; but the seventh day is the Sabbath of rest, an holy convocation: ye shall do no work therein; it is the Sabbath of the Lord in all your dwellings.” And again in the 13th chapter of Nehemiah, beginning with the 15th verse, I read the reprimand Nehemiah gave for breach of the Sabbath in Jerusalem. He says, “In those days saw I in Judah some treading wine-presses on the Sabbath, and bringing in sheaves, and lading asses; as also wine, grapes and figs, and all manner of burdens, which they brought into Jerusalem on the Sabbath-day; and I testified against them in the day wherein they sold victuals. There dwelt men of Tyre also therein, which brought fish, and all manner of ware, and sold on the Sabbath unto the children of Judah, and in Jerusalem. Then I contended with the nobles of Judah, and said unto them, What evil thing is this that ye do, and profane the Sabbath day? Did not your fathers thus, and did not our God bring all this evil upon us, and upon this city? yet ye bring more wrath upon Israel by profaning the Sabbath.” From the Old Testament I passed into the New. In Acts 13:14, 15, and 27, I found it was a practice to read a portion of the law and the prophets every Sabbath day. And again in Acts 16:13 it is told that prayer was wont to be made by a river side on the Sabbath day. This occurrence being 53 years in the Christian era, shows that the Sabbath of the Lord is yet observed, and is yet as obligatory as it ever was. A very strict observance of it is brought to view in the 23d chapter of Luke and last verse, and in the beginning of the next chapter. The death, burial, and resurrection of Christ is spoken of. And as he was crucified on Friday, it is said, “That day was the preparation, and the Sabbath drew on.” And it is also said that the women which prepared spices and ointments for the embalming of the body of Jesus rested on the Sabbath day according to the commandment. Then it followed that on the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came to the sepulcher, bringing the spices which they had prepared. The strict observance of the Sabbath is very manifest here. Here the Marys, notwithstanding they loved Him who was crucified most dearly, made no attempt to embalm him until the Sabbath was passed away. But the thought is overwhelming when we take into consideration that the immaculate Son of God, who is Lord of the Sabbath, as though to keep the Sabbath, should rest on that day in the tomb, and the work of the resurrection not be exercised until the Sabbath was past. In view of this circumstance, and that of withholding the fall of manna on the Sabbath, who can say that the Sabbath is not kept in Heaven? There is much scripture in the New Testament to show that Christ and his apostles preached on the Sabbath days. Luke, speaking of Christ in his 4th chapter, says, “And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up; and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read.” In Acts 18:4, it is said that Paul reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks. To quote all the places where the Sabbath is spoken of would be supererogation; for it is found one hundred and six times in the Old Testament and sixty times in the New. Of this number, one hundred and forty times reference is had to the seventh day weekly Sabbath, and twenty-six times to the festival days, sabbaths of the land, and those local sabbaths, which expired by limitation, and ceased at the cross. The next thing that I looked for was the change; how it became changed from the seventh day to the first day of the week. The first clue to it that I found was in the second volume of Mosheim’s commentaries, on the 470th page. This law was enacted in A. D. 321. Says Eld. J. H. Waggoner: “We admit that Constantine did not institute the first day of the week as the Sabbath, for neither he nor any other person had called it Sabbath at that time. He enforced it under the venerable name of the sun (sun’s day—Sunday).” The emperor Constantine at the time, being a pagan himself, threw around it the protection of law. And Alexander Campbell says this was the first protection of the kind it had ever received. Mosheim says here Constantine, “Who does not know that in those times many others also combined the worship of Christ with that of the ancient gods, whom they regarded as the ministers of the Supreme God in the government of human and earthly affairs?” That an amalgamation of paganism, papacy, and Christianity has prevailed from that time to this, who can deny? Symmachus ascended the pontifical throne in Rome A. D. 498, and reigned sixteen years. He received adulations as successor to St. Peter. The flatterers of the pope maintained that he was judge in the place of God, and Vicegerent of the Most High. Catholicism became predominant in A. D. 508, and carried on a successful war against the civil authorities of the empire and the Church of the East; 65,000 of the heretics were slain. It seems to be clear that paganism was overruled at this date, 508; so says Mr. Croly, page 311. See “Thoughts on Daniel,” by U. Smith. And Mr. Croly further says, “I found the whole detail of Justinian’s grants of supremacy to the pope formally given. The entire transaction was of the most authentic and regular kind, and suitable to the importance of the transfer. Such were the circumstances attending the decree of Justinian.”