Bro. B. B. Brown by Editor

Publishing Committee · Rochester, N. Y. · Jan 31, 1854

Bro. B. B. Brown.

By Editor

WE are happy to hear from this dear brother again, and that his faith is growing stronger in many important truths connected with the third message. He must excuse us for taking the following paragraphs from his kind letter, dated, Beloit, Wis., Jan. 20th.

"You will feel interested to know what progress I am making in the 'present truth'; and I am sorry I cannot give a better account of myself than I am able to do; or at least, an account that would be more cheering to you. For, most certainly, my heart is with you, and others who are giving this last message of mercy to a dying world.

"Many, and various have been the trials of my mind since I last wrote you. I have examined, and re-examined, many times, the Sabbath question, and other kindred points which stand connected in the 'third angel's message.' At one time, as you very well know, I was almost inclined to give up the Sabbath, and of course, other features of the same message; yet, as I never act hastily in my conclusions, nor without very clear evidence, I could not do it without reviewing the subject, and faithfully searching the whole Word for the truth. I thought the truth was what I desired, and yet I very well knew that my temporal interest, strongly inclined me to favor the No-Sabbath theory. By giving up the Sabbath, and paying homage to the First-day, I could gain both the friendship of this world, and more of this world's goods. The friendship, however, I could very easily give up. But there seemed a sort of necessity for my being in some lucrative business for the comfort of my family.

"These things, with many others that I might mention, have strongly inclined my mind to seek for truth in the opposite view. But still I am holding on to the Sabbath, and becoming more and more confirmed in other kindred doctrines contained in the present message. And it does seem to me that many of our Advent brethren, who now reject this subject, would see it as I do, if they could once get victory over their inclination to the other side. I love them as ever, and my 'desire and prayer to God is, that they may be saved.'"

"Here I am, an isolated individual, with no one around me of 'like precious faith,' with whom I can sympathize, in this hour of temptation. But in the Lord will I put my trust, and strive for the Kingdom of his dear Son."

"I ought not, and will not trouble you farther with my own trials, for I am aware that you have as many of your own as you can well bear. We are sure, however, that all these things will work for our good, if we love God and keep his commandments.—And soon 'We'll sing our trials ended.'"

"I sympathize deeply with you in your work of publishing the Review, and wish I were able to do more for you than I can, to help sustain it. It is truly a welcome messenger, and the devout and able documents which come from the hands of many of our brethren, are like 'Angel visits.' Yet I often think that in their anxiety to prove their points beyond being controverted, they throw in much Scripture as proof texts, which have no bearing on the subject. Whenever this is the case, it serves to weaken the evidence rather than strengthen it. Especially whenever it is clear that Scripture is misquoted. Opposers will not fail to lay hold of such texts, to their strong prejudice against the truth, while they fail entirely, to see the argument."

THE SABBATH.

'Suppose,' said one who was reasoning with a Sabbath-breaker, 'suppose I had been hard at work all the week, and had earned seven shillings; and suppose I met a man in need, and gave him six of them; what would you say to that?' 'Why that you were very kind, and the man ought to be very thankful.' 'Well suppose he was then to turn round and knock me down, and rob me of the other shilling.' 'He would be a wretch deserving only to be hanged.' 'Well,' said the other, 'this is just your case. God has freely given you six days of the week, and now, you are robbing him of the seventh.'