Light of Present Truth
By Emily Day
DEAR BRO. WHITE: I thank our Father in heaven for the light of present truth. His word is truly a "lamp to my feet and a light to my path;" and we are assured by the "Word" that "the path of the just is as a shining light that shineth more and more unto the perfect day." The Review and Herald comes to us bringing "meat in due season;" for which we feel thankful. We know not how we should get along without it. It is clear to my mind that we are living under the third angel's message, as given in Rev. xiv. When I received the light on the commandments of God, the Sanctuary in Heaven, &c. it was food to me. I found it necessary to keep the seventh-day Sabbath, or be guilty of breaking God's holy law. "For whosoever shall keep the whole law and yet offend in one point he is guilty of all." James ii, 10. I have enjoyed the sweet spirit of the Sabbath in a much greater degree than I ever did in keeping the first day. And although cast off by some of my former brethren, it matters not if Jesus is with me. I have started for the Holy City, and with the assistance of divine grace I intend to go through. Says the True Witness, "Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the City." I see that some in order to get round the third angel's message, place the first and second beyond the Advent. This is evidence that they have stepped out of the path of the just (which shines more and more unto the perfect day) and are in darkness. Paul tells us that when the Lord comes the saints will be caught up to meet the Lord in the air and so will ever be with him. Now if this be true, how can these three messages be proclaimed after the Advent? And if Babylon of Rev. xiv and xviii is the city of Rome, as it is said to be by "C." in the "Harbinger" of Oct. 18th and the fall of Babylon is the burning of Rome, as Bro. Marsh also teaches, I ask why is there a call made for God's people to come out of Rome, or Babylon, after it is burned, lest they be partakers of her sins and receive of her plagues? The call is not made for God's people to come out of her, until after her fall, and how can they come out of her after she is utterly burned with fire," when according to the testimony of Paul, [1 Thess. iv, 16—18.] all God's people will then be with him? O, how much better to believe the simple truths of the Bible, than thus to wrest the scriptures from their true meaning. It seems to me that every one, must see the utter inconsistency of such a view. How necessary it is that we "beware lest any man spoil us through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, and not after Christ." I want to be one of those that are willing to "follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth." May the Lord guide us in that strait and narrow way that leadeth unto life, and save us in his Kingdom at last is the prayer of your sister waiting for Jesus,
EMILY DAY.
Oxford, O., March 23d, 1852.