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GOOD WORDS

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The Seventh-Day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · December 18, 1879

FromThe Review and Herald, Vol. 54, No. 25

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GOOD WORDS.

By James White

It is with pleasure that we read the good and kind words from Bro. Ethan Lanphear, in the Sabbath Recorder for the eleventh inst. He gives reasons why S. D. Baptists and S. D. Adventists should continue friendly relations, as follows:—
“1. Because they [S. D. Adventists] propose to be friendly with us [S. D. Baptists], and work together, so far as we do agree, as Christian brethren.
“2. Because they believe with us in the commandments of God, and that it is the duty of all mankind to observe them, the fourth, the Sabbath commandment, as well as the rest.
“3. Because they accept Christ as the Son of God, agreeing with us that in him, and through him, man can be saved from the penalty of sin.
“4. Because they agree with us as to the gospel mode of baptism, and the Lord’s supper.
“5. Because they believe with us that repentance, and faith in our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, is necessary in order to be saved.
“6. Because they profess to take the Bible for their faith and practice.
“7. Because both denominations desire to know the truth and the whole counsel of God, and need all the light that can be obtained from each other.
“8. Because the law of God is trampled under foot, not only by the world, but by most of the professed Christian church in the world; and a union of effort to hold up God’s word is needed of all Sabbath observers.
“9. Because in our differences of opinion, we do not break the commandments of God.
“10. Because, by so mingling together, we shall come to know each other better, love each other more, and thus be more likely to come to ‘see eye to eye’ as to the things of God and the revelations of Jesus Christ in his gospel.
“11. Because we are not yet a perfect people, and by intimacy with them may learn their modes of operation, wherein they have succeeded so well in spreading truth and bringing men to observe the commandments of God; and possibly may learn lessons of profit to ourselves and the cause we love, from their zeal, self-sacrifice, systematic benevolence, and their reforms as to the fashions and customs of the church and the world.
“12. Because there is an attempt to incorporate Sunday into our National Constitution, and a spirit of persecution against those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, which seems to demand that those loving God’s law should stand together for its defense.
“13. Because of Eld. White’s meeting with us in our Conference, as a delegate from that body, and his kind spirit manifested toward us, and the God-speed he gave us in the progressive work of our denomination, and the kind invitation to continue to appoint delegates to their body.
“In view of the foregoing causes, and the best interests of the cause of God, was it wise to refuse a delegate to that body, thus indicating that we desired no further fellowship with them? I believe it a great mistake and wrong, and not in accordance with the feelings of the Seventh-day Baptists generally.”
“ETHAN LANPHEAR.
“Plainfield, N. J., Nov. 25th, 1879.”
We know the true feelings of the body of S. D. Baptists toward S. D. Adventists. Some of our injudicious ministers have committed provoking errors in their labors on S. D. Baptist ground, which our best men deeply feel. The best men in the S. D. Baptist ministry comprehend the situation, and feel kindly toward our people. As a body, they are a generous, kind and forgiving people.
We regret the apparent necessity of introducing so much into the REVIEW on this disagreeable subject. A low insinuation and a sneer are the two hardest things for us to review and bear. Lord, give more patience and grace. Kind words in private letters addressed to us by leading S. D. Baptist ministers are drawing our hearts nearer to theirs in confidence and love.
J. W.