Earlier text: SIGNS OF THE TIMESFRIEND MILLER:—I feel a pleasure in replying to your kind epistle, arising from the hope that my labor will not be in vain. Cheerfully would I devote my time to converse with one who has not "a shadow of a doubt" of my being in error on the Sabbath question. This perfect freedom from doubt is evidence, to my mind, that you have not carefully examined the evidences in favor of the Sabbath. Perhaps you might, in truth, adopt the language of Bro. A. J. Richmond as follows: "But from reading the Harbinger, and hearing but one side of the subject, and neglecting to examine it closely for myself, I had concluded that it was a 'yoke of bondage,' and 'done away.'" But if you have carefully read the article in the Review of Aug. 11th, to which your attention was invited, perhaps you are not so free from doubts as you were. In stating what you call "two important facts," you admit that the law from Sinai was the "rule of moral obligation for that dispensation." Bear with me, for I must exclaim, Who hath bewitched you, that you should think that the rule of moral obligation can be changed, without a change in the relation77 existing between man and his Maker! Is God changeable? Could he make a better moral rule at the commencement of the gospel dispensation, than he could when he formed the first man? Can he improve his original law, which the inspired Psalmist pronounced "perfect," by abolishing one tenth part of it? And would he make known through the agency of man that he had changed that law which he spoke with his own mouth, in the hearing of all Israel; or that he had abolished it, and given a new "rule of moral obligation" in its stead. After stating your two "facts" you speak of the different ways by which men might "secure the favor of God" in different dispensations. To live in favor with God, and to secure his favor are two things. Why is not man in favor with God? Because he is a sinner. What has made him such? Transgression of God's law; for "sin is the transgression of the law." Man is a sinner. He has lost the favor of God, and is justly exposed to the penalty of the law, which is death. There is no salvation for him unless God should abolish his law, or make another law by which he may be forgiven, and thus restored to favor. This second law is the same, in one sense, in both dispensations. That is, it consists of faith, repentance and obedience to certain rites, which are outward acts expressive of faith and repentance. In another sense it differs much in the two dispensations. In the former dispensation the faith was in a promised Messiah, and was accompanied by obedience to typical rites; in the latter, the faith is in a Messiah already come and sacrificed for sin, (transgression of the first named law,) and shown forth by corresponding obedience to commemorative rites or institutions. For example: In the Jewish dispensation the sinner must offer an animal, the blood of which must be shed; in the Christian age, he must be buried by baptism. The language of the former was, God will provide a sacrifice for sin; the latter declares that Christ died for our sins, was buried and rose again for our justification. Repentance is the same in both dispensations. It consists not merely in sorrow, but in breaking off from sin (transgression of the first law) by righteousness. (Obedience to that law.) Sorrow is not repentance; but godly sorrow worketh repentance, or reformation not to be repented of. "Repentance is to leave the sins I loved before,
And show that I do truly grieve, by doing so no more." Thus we see that, in order to save sinners, there must of necessity be a second law, or the first must be abolished. I have shown that this second law in the new dispensation, differs from the corresponding law in the old. Consequently they are distinguished from each other in the New Testament; the former being designated as "the works of the law," the latter as the hearing, or obedience of faith. Did God abolish the first law, to save all mankind in their sins? or did he institute a second law, to save believers from their sins. Does forgiveness of sins entitle the forgiven to a right to commit the same thing again? Mark! Christ did not die to redeem man from the transgression of a law given by the apostles after his death, but to redeem him from sin against a law already in existence. By moral law, or "rule of moral obligation," I understand the first, or original law—the law man would have kept had he continued in favor with God, and which he must keep, if he is restored to his favor.—By ceremonial or ritual law I understand the second—the law which recognizes man as a sinner, and is a means of restoring him to favor. Viewing it thus, I am surprised when I hear any one speak of a change in moral obligation. To my mind, it seems equivalent to a change in God himself—that he has grown wiser since making his first attempt at a perfect rule of life. The Sabbath is a part of the original law. It was made before man sinned. And how was it made?—God rested upon it, and then blessed and sanctified it, because he had rested upon it. If you can show any other time and manner of making the Sabbath, you are requested to do so. In regard to the expression of our Saviour, that the Sabbath was made for man, the learned have informed us that in the Greek, the word man is qualified by an "untranslated" article. That article, when translated, is the definite article the. So, in the original language, the passage reads "the Sabbath was made for the man; and as there was but one pair of human beings at the time when it was made, we cannot be at a loss in regard to the man for whom it was intended. This shows that the Sabbath was not a Jewish institution; and whether Adam could have been benefited by it, without observing it, you will, of course, enjoy your own opinion. We have found a necessity for the two laws in the nature of things as they exist—man a sinner, and God willing to save him. Now if we can find the two laws in the Bible, the testimony to me, will be sufficient. God spake ten commandments with his own voice, and wrote them with his own finger in tables of stone. Moses wrote the ordinances of the Jewish church in a book. The first is called "the law of God"—"the commandments of God;" the second, "the law of Moses," and "the law of the Lord, given by the hand of Moses." The tables are called "the tables of the covenant;" the book is called "the book of the covenant" and "the book of Moses."—Ex. xxxi, 18. Deut. xxxi, 24-26; ix, 9-11. 2 Chron. xxxiv, 30. Mark xii, 26. The term law in the New Testament sometimes means one of these laws, and sometimes the other; the context always determining which is meant. Rejecting the idea of two laws, and claiming that the word law always means one and the same thing, will you show how to reconcile or harmonize the following scriptures. The priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law. Heb. vii, 12. Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Matt. v, 18. Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances. Eph. ii, 15. Think not that I am come to destroy the law. Matt. v, 14. Thou camest down also upon mount Sinai, and spakest with them from heaven, and gavest them right judgments and true laws, (margin, laws of truth,) good statutes and commandments. Neh. ix, 13. Because they had not executed my judgments, but had despised my statutes, and had polluted my sabbaths, (had done these things before the giving of the law at Sinai,) and their eyes were after their father's idols; wherefore I gave them also statutes that were not good, and judgments whereby they should not live. Eze. xx, 24, 25. Peter calls "the law of Moses" a yoke "which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear." Acts xv, 5, 10. Paul says, I delight in "the law of God" after the inward man. Rom. vii, 22. Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace. Gal. v, 4. The doers of the law shall be justified. Rom. ii, 13. When the priesthood was changed, from the typical to the antitypical, there was of necessity a change of the law. What law? Not the original, royal law of ten commandments, for that can never change.—The idea that the fourth commandment was fulfilled by Christ, and consequently abolished, is false; for that law does not pass away by little fragments.—One jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. So if fulfilling it does it away, it will all be fulfilled, and all go together.—But the context shows that all the prophets must be fulfilled before one particle of the law can pass.—James informs Christians that, if they fulfill the royal law, they "do well." He also tells them that "whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one, he is guilty of all." And lest any should mistake the law of which he speaks, he immediately quotes two of the ten commandments. James ii, 8-12. The first law then is not changed; we must therefore look to the second. The ritual law, we have seen, is changed from a typical, to a commemorative character. It is now known as "the gospel" or "the faith." Sin is still the transgression of the law, and the wages of sin is death. To escape this penalty, and "secure the favor of God" a person must be "obedient to the faith." "He must become a Christian and submit to the rule" submitted to and taught "by the apostles." He must "delight in the law of God, after the inward man"—keep the whole law, and not offend in one precept lest he become guilty of all. "For there is one lawgiver, (not twelve,) who is able to save and to destroy." James iv, 12. "Here are they that keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus." The commandments are one thing, and the faith is another. The apostles taught them both. Says Paul, Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid; yea we establish the law. Rom. iii, 31. In no way could the immutability of the law of God be more effectually established, than by the death of the Son of God to redeem man from its penalty. If the commandments could have been abolished, Jesus need not have died; but he died for our sins—for our transgression of the law! What gratitude is due to God for his exceeding love! and how can we demonstrate our gratitude better than by breaking off from our sins and keeping that holy law? Says David, The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul. (Turning the soul from transgression to obedience, from sin to holiness.) Says James, But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. O how love I thy law! says David; it is my meditation all the day.—I delight in the law of God after the inward man, responds Paul. Says David ALL his commandments are sure, they STAND FAST FOREVER AND EVER. It is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than for ONE TITTLE of the law to fail, says the Lord Jesus. With all the testimony of Jesus and the apostles to the perpetuity and immutability of Jehovah's whole law of ten commandments, who can be so stubborn, as to refuse to keep the fourth, or any other commandment, because it is not given a second time, in the New Testament? The apostles frequently quote from the commandments, as a standard law; but they never re-enacted one of them, for the very good reason, that none of them were ever abolished. Do you still ask why there is not more testimony, for the Sabbath, in the New Testament? I answer in the language of Bro White. Speaking of the fulfillment of the signs in the sun, moon and stars, he says: "God has never revealed his truth to man in a manner to compel him to believe. Those who have wished to doubt his word, have ever found a wide field in which to doubt, and a broad road to perdition. While those who have wished to believe, have ever found everlasting rock on which to base their faith." I feel perfectly satisfied with the evidence given for the Sabbath in the New Testament. I have no desire for one word to be added to it. The Lord does all things well. He has suffered the man of sin to exalt himself above God, and dictate laws to the world; but he will, ere long, vindicate his own truth. The Lord Jesus will be revealed from heaven, in flaming fire, taking vengeance on them that know not God, and obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. For two reasons the wicked are condemned. 1. They know not God. (The Father.) 2. They obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. (The Son.) How do we know that we know God? Let an apostle answer. "And hereby do we know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him."—1. Jno. ii, 3, 4. The Sabbath, in particular, is a sign of the knowledge of the true God. "Hallow my sabbaths; and they shall be a sign between me and you, that ye may know that I am the Lord your God."—Eze. xx, 20. So we see, that while the "remnant"78 keep both the commandments and the faith, the wicked are condemned for rejecting both. Happy will be he who has a part with the remnant. 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. You have pronounced my argument, respecting the Harbinger's rule, "excusable;" for I understood him to mean as he said. The demand was, that the passage should read that either Jew or Gentile Christian is required to keep the seventh day. And lest he should be misunderstood, emphasized the words reads and Christian, giving them in italics. Besides this, after the Review had quoted some texts for the Sabbath, the Harbinger replied, "Not a word is said or intimated about Christians in the texts quoted." He did not say that these words were not addressed to Christians, but judges that the Review intended to make the texts read, Christians, remember the Sabbath day, &c. I admit that the apostles addressed themselves to Christians, and forbade, not only killing, stealing and lying, but the violation of every precept of that law which said, Thou shalt not kill. James ii, 10, 11, see margin. Jesus addressed himself to "his disciples" and said, Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever includes every body. Therefore signifies a conclusion drawn from what he had just affirmed of the perpetuity of the entire law, and shows that the law and the commandments are one and the same thing. These commandments refer to the commandments existing at the time, and not to those commandments "given by the apostles" some years afterwards. The fourth commandment of the law required the observance of the Sabbath. It was connected with "good statutes" by God himself, being written with his own finger in the midst of them. "What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.—Amen! Be assured that all I have said proceeds from the kindest feelings; and if you, or any one else, can profit thereby, my object in writing will be attained. Yours in hope of meeting all the saints in the kingdom.
R. F. COTTRELL. Discussion and close investigation is our only hope for the advancement of the Sabbath cause. Wherever the subject is agitated, and defended in the spirit of meekness, it is sure to gain friends. We call especial attention to the communication of Bro. E. Miller, Jr., and the reply to the same by Bro. R. F. Cottrell. As Bro. Miller's communication is free from that bitter, reproachful spirit, so common with his no-Sabbath brethren, we cheerfully give it entire. We hope he will not leave one stone unturned in the investigation of this subject till he either shows up the error of Sabbath-keeping, or becomes satisfied that we have the truth on this subject. FRIEND WHITE:—Being casually thrown in contact with your paper, for June 23d, I noticed an article from R. F. Cottrell, under the caption of "The Harbinger's rule of Duty." He quotes the Harbinger, "Give us one plain direct passage from either the Old or New Testament that reads that either Jew or Gentile christian is required to keep the seventh day" &c., and says, "this is the rule by which the Harbinger decides that it is not duty to keep the Sabbath;" and to show the invalidity of the rule, says: "Give us one plain direct passage that reads that either Jew or Gentile christian should not kill, or steal, or bear false witness. One such passage cannot be found." I wish to test this assertion, and the validity of the "rule" spoken of. In order to do this, let me state two important facts, viz: 1. The law from Mt. Sinai—or the rule of life for the people of God, as given in the law, and in the prophets and in the Psalms, is given to Israel, and forms the rule of moral obligation for that dispensation. 2. The rule of life as given by the apostles is the rule of christian life. The past dispensation is familiarly called the Jewish or law dispensation; and the present, the christian or gospel dispensation. If in the past dispensation, one not of the twelve tribes, would secure the favor of God, he must become a Jew by being circumcised, and submit to obey the then rule of life. If one, whether Jew or Gentile, will now secure the favor of God, he must become a Christian, and submit to the rule of life given by the apostles. Now let us see whether we have any direct prohibition of killing, stealing, &c. 1 Pet. iv, 15, "But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief." 1 John, iii, 15. "And ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him." Rev. xxi, 8. "And murderers . . . shall have their part in the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone." Gal. v, 21. "Murderers" are reckoned among the "works of the flesh," and such shall not inherit the kingdom of God. Eph. iv, 28. "Let him that stole steal no more." Ver. 25. "Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbor." Col. iii, 9. "Lie not one to another." Here is the prohibition of the things specified in varied language; more examples of which might be brought, besides, some instances where the apostles have quoted the ancient commands, touching these things, in form, as in Rom. xiii, 9. Let not your correspondent try (as appears from his short article he will) to maintain his assertion by saying the word christian is not found in one of these passages. The apostles were each writing to Christians, hence the passages do without note or comment, prohibit Christians doing the things specified. If your correspondent thought that the Harbinger demanded that the passage enjoining the Sabbath should contain the word christian, his argument is excusable, otherwise it is an unworthy cavil. I will say, when you will produce the passage, addressed to the people of God since the establishment of the order of this dispensation, either enjoining the Sabbath in direct language, or reproving its violation, I will keep it. Doubtless this was the intention of the Harbinger. Yourself, Friend Editor, quote in reply to the same passage from the Harbinger, "Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy," and "the Seventh day is the Sabbath," and refer us to the law for the passages. No one disputes that the people of God in that dispensation were required to keep the Sabbath; but it devolves upon you to show that it is required of them in this. Bring the requirement as addressed to christians. Both you and Friend Cottrell, quote, "The Sabbath was made for man," and infer that it was made for all men's observance: but to give any force to this inference you have to assume that man cannot be profited by the Sabbath except by his individual observance of it. This you should prove. I conceive that man as a race can be abundantly profited by it, while its observance was only enjoined upon one dispensation. Please receive this as a friendly note from one, who has not a shadow of a doubt but you are in error in your views of the Sabbath. Give it a place, in your Review if you please, and if it is reviewed fairly the writer will be happy to read and profit thereby. Yours in hope of the Kingdom of God.
Middlebury, Elkhart Co., Ind., July 29th, 1863.
E. MILLER, JR. THE SEVENTH-DAY SABBATH NOT ABOLISHED!
By Editor
THOSE who teach that there is no Sabbath for the gospel dispensation, are requested to give us one plain text from the New Testament that teaches, "without note or comment," that the seventh-day Sabbath has been abolished. When any one will do this, we will notice it in the REVIEW. THE FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK NOT THE SABBATH!
By Editor
THOSE who teach that the Sabbath has been changed from the seventh to the first day of the week, are requested to give us one text from the New Testament that teaches such a change; or the example of Christ and the Apostles, recorded in the New Testament, favoring such a change. When any one will point out such a text and such example, it shall be given in the REVIEW. COMMUNICATIONS.
By Frances Strong
DEAR BRO. WHITE:—While reviewing our past experience and comparing it with our present position, truly we can say, how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways are past finding out; yet the Lord God will do nothing but he revealeth his secret to his servants the prophets. And while he spared Noah, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the ungodly, being an ensample to those who should live after, let us hold fast the rejoicing of our hope firm unto the end, knowing that he is faithful who hath called us, who, also, will perform all his holy will concerning us; and while we have the Bible for our chart, a lamp to our feet and a light to our path, which leads us to the haven of eternal rest, let us live daily by faith upon the Son of God, and grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. I do feel to praise the Lord for the light of divine truth which is shining on our pathway, and brightening up our prospects for the kingdom. The third angel's message is just what we need now in this time of trial to cut us loose from the world, that we be not henceforth the servants of sin, carried about by every wind of doctrine, but that we be "built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner-stone; in whom all the building fitly framed together, groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord." Eph. ii, 20, 21. Then let us show by a well ordered life and godly conversation, that we have been with Jesus, and that we are his meek and humble followers. He was an example of patience, suffering and affliction: his was a life of toil and sorrow; and why all this? Let us consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, lest we be weary and faint in our minds, and run with patience the race set before us. "Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure; for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall; for so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.—Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them and be established in the present truth." 2 Pet. i, 10-12. Then let us live in a waiting position for our King from heaven, who shall fashion us like unto his most glorious body, and to them who look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation. The signs of the times, the fulfillment of prophecy in regard to a fallen church and a guilty world, show the near approach of our coming King; and when ye shall see these things come to pass, know that it is nigh even at the doors. Yours waiting for the redemption of Israel. West Milton, N. Y., Aug., 1853. A Lonely Sabbath-Keeping Family
By Cynthia Paine
DEAR BRO. WHITE :—We are a lonely few in this place who keep the Sabbath, only four of us, and those of our own family. We know of none who keep the seventh day within about twenty miles.—We thank the Lord that he ever sent his servants with the message of the third angel, and that we ever felt inclined to investigate the subject. We had taken the Review almost a year before Bro. Holt came here. We had read the paper and liked it all, with the exception of what was said upon the Sabbath question. That we had no desire to look into. But O, how changed are our feelings now! It is a little more than a year since we commenced to keep the seventh day, and we are more and more convinced that we have the truth. The subject of the Sanctuary together with the Sabbath are glorious doctrines to us. New beauties in them do we continually behold, and it is a great wonder to us that we did not see the truth and believe it before; but it was rather difficult to get rid of a tradition which we had had for fifty years. But the Lord was able to bring us to the light, and to rejoice in his precious truths.—And we know that he will finally bring us off victorious, if we put our trust in him. We know how to prize the company of the saints, now we are so widely separated from them. The blessed hope cheers us that the time is short, and that very soon we shall all meet no more to be parted for ever. Yours, hoping soon to be gathered with all the saints,
CYNTHIA PAINE.
Ware, Mass., July 22th, 1853. Alone in Keeping the Sabbath
By M. A. E. Townsend
DEAR BRO. WHITE:—As a reader of your excellent paper, I feel it my duty to say something in defense of the truth, and encourage you in the prosecution of your all-important work, by saying that the Review is a welcome visitor. The truths which it contains are appreciated by me, and I am glad to learn of a few who are trying to keep the commandments of God and the faith of the gospel. I am as it were almost alone here, in reference to keeping the seventh-day Sabbath; yet “I wish to tell the story,
Of bleeding dying love,
On earth, and then in glory,
With my dear friends above.
My soul is filled with gladness,
Christ rolled my guilt away;
He banished all my sadness,
And turned my night to day.”
O, may the Lord help us to walk not in the “counsel of the ungodly”—those professing godliness, but denying the power; who introduce worldly and popular things into the church, which never did and never will meet the approbation of God; “nor stand in the way of sinners”—those who are openly profane, with whom, if Christians associate there is danger of partaking of their spirit; “nor sit in the seat of the scornful”—those who are destroying, by their sophistry, the faith of many; but according to the word of God, they shall not proceed much further. Not every one that saith, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom; but he that doeth the will of our heavenly Father. O, may he help us to keep his commandments, that we may enter into life eternal. I have never had the privilege of hearing one of our faith preach. O, that some might be directed this way, that we may be taught more perfectly in the way of life. I pray daily for the prosperity of Zion, that the little flock may hold out faithful to the end, that although I may not see any of them on earth, I may meet them in heaven. M. A. E. TOWNSEND.
Connotton, Harrison Co., O., July, 1853. Progress of the Adventist Message in Wisconsin
By T. M. Steward
DEAR BRO. WHITE:—We have great reason to bless the Lord for his goodness and mercy toward us here in the West. The Lord has been pouring out his Spirit upon us, and many have embraced the truth, and more are anxiously waiting to hear the reasons of our faith presented, so that they may see for themselves whether these things are so. And more especially within the last two months there has been a mighty move in this part of the country. Six months ago there were but two messengers in Wisconsin, (Brn. Phelps and Waggoner,) but now there are four besides the feeble efforts of myself. The Lord has blessed the visit of Brn. J. N. Loughborough and Cornell abundantly. Their labors were blessed wherever they went, so that they were the means, in the hands of God, of removing much prejudice, which has existed in the minds of some for a long time; no doubt caused by the injudicious moves of some. The prejudice seems to be breaking away, and now we are receiving calls from all directions to lecture. And I believe the brethren and sisters generally are becoming more awake to the third angel's message, than they have ever been before. And when I hear from other parts, that they are waking up afresh, it induces me to believe that the message is rising, and I feel to say, glory to God. May the Lord grant that we may rise with it, and be prepared to give the loud and solemn cry of this last message of mercy; that we may cry aloud and spare not, but lift up our voice like a trumpet, and show the people their sins, and give them a timely warning. I do love to talk about the truth, and explain it to those who are anxious to understand. I feel to bless the Lord for the light we receive through the Review.
Yours in hope of immortality at the appearing of the lovely Jesus.
T. M. STEWARD.
Oakland, Wis., Aug. 26th, 1853. Three Children Embrace the Truth
By Susan Elmer
DEAR BRO. WHITE:—When I realize the great goodness of God to us, I feel to bless his holy name. I can exclaim with the Psalmist, "What shall I render to the Lord for all his mercies to me?" My heart swells with emotions I can scarcely express.—What! be mindful of me, who have not fought against the temptations of the enemy as I should, nor trusted in God at all times as I ought! I believe Satan is making his last efforts, and trying to deceive as many as he can, and we must be on our watch continually; but praise the Lord his time is short: the Lord will soon deliver all his faithful and tried ones. The prize is just before us, and we read, he that overcometh, shall inherit all things.—What can we have more? it is not death that we are striving to get ready for; but it is eternal life. Can we comprehend it? How few realize it as they ought. Three of our children have embraced the truth.—Two of them were baptized by Bro. Bates. We feel for the precious cause, and hope the Lord will open the way shortly, so that we can aid it. We prize the Review much. Yours in love of the Truth.
SUSAN ELMER.
Buckland, Mass., Aug. 5th, 1853. A Child’s Love for the Truth
By Philetus C. Truman
DEAR BRO. WHITE:—About eight months since, Bro. S. W. Rhodes came this way, and I believe that God sent him to proclaim the truth; and I feel to rejoice in it. O, I love the truth. I love God, I love his word, I love his people. O, what sweet comfort I have taken in the company of the brethren, hearing the third angel's message. O, that all my friends and neighbors would love God's truth, and give up their carnal mind, which is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. O, that they might have the mind of Christ. Christ said that he kept all his Father's commandments, and the Apostle said let the same mind be in you which was in Christ. O that they might, with my School-mates receive the love of the truth. Although a child, [I am in my 12th year,] yet I hope that I love God, and love his truth, and I want the whole truth. And as Christ said, as ye would that men should do unto you, do ye even so unto them, so I send you two dollars for tracts, so that I may scatter the truth. Pray that I may keep all the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus, that I may be able to stand. I subscribe myself your unworthy brother, believing in the soon coming of Christ.
PHILETUS C. TRUMAN.
Georgetown, N. Y., Aug. 15th, 1853. Discovering the Sabbath and Commandments
By P. H. Pennoyer
DEAR BRO. WHITE :—I have great reason to praise the Lord for the light that has shone upon my pathway since I embraced the third angel's message.—What joy I received when I understood what the will of the Lord was concerning me. O how I felt when I saw I had never kept the Sabbath of the Lord. I said, Lord what must I do in order to be saved. I thought I was willing to be called a fool for the sake of Christ; but when I opened my Bible, the first place that met my eye, was, "if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments." I thought I had kept God's commands as well as I knew how, and as far as I could see, was trying to live out the Bible; although our Minister said there were books in the Bible that eternity must unlock, and I did not know but it was so; for there were some places that I could not understand. When Bro. Rhodes was trying to explain some places, I could see, and my heart began to give place for the truth; and the tears began to flow. All my life came up before me; and in looking over my past life I could not see any good that I had ever done; and I cried unto the Lord to show me the way; and he showed the commandments. I then could see how much man-made religion I had had. The Lord has blessed me a great many times in days and years that are past, but never as he has in this truth. O how it did search me. I could say with the poet: "I see the fiery furnace, and feel its cleansing flames,
The fruit of it is holy, the gold will still remain."
I cannot express my feelings in any better way than these lines. They tell all my feelings, past and present, when I look into the law of the Lord and see what we must be to inherit eternal life. My whole family are striving to keep God's commandments and the faith of Jesus, that we may not be found wanting, but waiting, in the day of his coming. I rejoice and look forward to the time when the redeemed shall come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy. May God help us, brethren and sisters, to prove faithful until we obtain the crown. Yours in hope of eternal life. P. H. PENNOYER.
Morley, N. Y., Aug., 1853. Extracts of Letters.
By Editor
Bro. Z. Brooks writes from Bedford, Mich., Aug. 29th, 1853:—"The Lord is at work here, for which I am glad and praise his holy name. O, that I could feel the weight of the present truth more and more and realize the time in which we live. O, how I love God who has done so much for me. The brethren here80 are waking up to the truth. Praise the name of the Lord." Finding Truth in the Sabbath
By H. Myers
DEAR BRO. WHITE :—We feel very thankful that we, in this secluded place, were ever favored with the privilege of hearing the truth. We feel to adore and magnify the name of God the everlasting Father, and Jesus Christ, who brought salvation within the reach of so fallen, depraved and sinful worms as we are.—We feel to ascribe all the praise and glory unto him who hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel; that in these last, trying hours of deep anguish and distress of soul, whilst we are groping our way through thick darkness, grappling with the very fiends of darkness and death, they pretending to be the spirits of departed friends bringing intelligence from the spirit land, to instruct us in the truth of the future, that God had forgotten or neglected to have recorded in his holy Word. But thanks be to his name, his sure Word of prophecy, and the evidences found in the gospel of his dear Son, served as a barrier to our final overthrow. We have had some faith in the Advent doctrine, these ten years past; but we were here with some of the no-Sabbath, no-law brethren, with numerous other technicalities for doctrine and truth, in which if there was any light, it was out of sight; but we bless God we have had meat in due season. Some eight months ago the law and the Sabbath with us, were divorced; and all the Sabbath we had any clue to, was First-day, which we find to be spurious; but we feel to render many thanks to Bro. Phelps for his ardent zeal in our welfare, and for setting forth something of the sure Word of prophecy and showing us our true position in a fallen Babylon and our whereabouts in the world's history. By being willing and obedient to the Father of all mercies, we have peace like a river and joy that passeth all understanding. Within eight months, some seven families in this section have embraced the Sabbath, some fourteen adults, and are trying to keep the commandments.—But oh! how deplorable the condition of the many who are opposing God, their own interest and the truth. Some are halting between two opinions, convinced of the truth, but unwilling to obey the Lord, and give up their old notions of prejudice and error: self-will being so prominent that they cannot bear to have that man, Christ Jesus, to reign over them. We bless the Lord for the promised comforter, the Spirit of truth, that was to instruct us in all truth, and make us wise unto salvation and give us right to the tree of life. Beloved Brethren, whilst we are examining the declarations of God's truth, O may he enable us all to examine our own hearts more closely, and if we have broken off only some of the more prominent branches of sin and error, let us again examine ourselves, and pray God to give us wisdom and grace, in meekness and patience to search and research till we shall be enabled to eradicate every root of bitterness.—May God enable us to cleanse our hands and purify our hearts, by obeying the truth; not being a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work; for the promise is, that man shall be blessed in his deed. Yours in hope of the soon coming kingdom,
H. MYERS.
Hebron, Jeff. Co., Wis., Aug. 26th, 1853. TO THE WEARY, WORN AND TRIED:—I praise the name of the Lord that he has ever called after me.—I want to know him aright, serve him acceptably and have his law written in my heart. I do hunger and thirst after righteousness, and the Lord is not slack concerning his promise; not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. I long to be freed from this sinful world of cares, toil and sorrow, and to be forever at home with my dear Redeemer. I believe, "It is the hour of Time's farewell,
And soon with Jesus we shall dwell;
The speeding moments hasten on,
And quickly they will all be gone." I will mention the loving kindness of the Lord in bringing me from darkness to light, that I might keep his commandments and live. My parents observed the first day of the week as the Sabbath; but thank the Lord we lived in a neighborhood of seventh-day Sabbath-keepers. I occasionally went to hear them. I became convinced that I was not keeping the Sabbath of the Lord. I desired to be a Christian, and searched the Bible, and found that I must keep the Sabbath in order to obey God, also, that I must leave father, mother, brothers and sisters and companion, for the sake of the kingdom. O, what peace and joy it brought to my soul when I commenced to obey—peace that the world could not give. My heart was full of gratitude to God for his goodness. It is nearly two years that I have tried to keep the Sabbath. My companion is now a believer, and we are striving to keep the commandments of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. Praise the Lord, O my soul. I believe that we are now living in the day of his preparation, and I want to be meek that He will guide me in judgment, and seek righteousness and meekness so that I may be hid in the day of the Lord's anger. "O I long for that land whose blest promise alone,
Is changeless and sure as eternity's throne."