THE long-announced work of T. M. Preble on the Sabbath question, it appears, is finally to be issued, about the middle of the present month. We received from the office of the Voice of the West, advance proof of the following notice of the work, with a request that it be inserted in the Review:
A New Work on the Sabbath Question.
THE following is the title of a new and important work to be issued about the middle of August:
THE FIRST-DAY SABBATH: clearly proved by showing that the old covenant, or ten commandments, have been changed, or made complete, in the Christian dispensation. In two parts. By T. M. Preble, author of “Two Hundred Stories for Children,” “Three Kingdoms,” “Two Adams,” &c. “The Sabbath was made for man.” (Jesus.) Buchanan, Michigan: Published by the W. A. C. P. Association.
The author of this work has adopted a plan in treating upon this long-controverted question so different from other writers who have heretofore written upon it as to make it a valuable book for all classes of readers.
1. It is shown conclusively, by a plain Scriptural argument, that the old Jewish law, or covenant, has been “done away;” not in the sense of annihilation, but in the sense of being made “perfect,” or “complete,” under the “new covenant.”
2. It is also clearly proved, that in the gospel dispensation there has been a change of days for the observance of the Sabbath. But the Sabbath, as an institution, is not changed. Neither can it be; for it “was made for man”—for all mankind. This is a point of much importance in settling the Sabbath question. The Sabbath as an institution for septennial rest, is one thing; but the particular day of the week on which this rest is to be observed, is quite another thing.
3. In confirmation of a change of days, from the seventh to the first day of the week, full and complete extracts are given from the early Christian fathers, from eminent historians, and the earliest and most able writers upon the Sabbath question, proving that the early Christians did observe the first-day of the week for the Sabbath. This forms a chapter of great value to all persons who desire correct historical information upon this long-controverted subject.
4. It is also proved by copious extracts from Ecclesiastical history, that the Waldenses, or true church of Christ, observed the first-day of the week, or Lord’s day, all the way through the “dark ages,” from the days of Constantine the Great, and Pope Sylvester, until the Reformation.
5. A review of U. Smith, a recent writer in favor of the seventh-day Sabbath, [in which it is shown that he has perverted the truth.]
6. Also a review of J. N. Andrews’ [pretended] History of the Sabbath, [in which it is proved that he has unwisely deceived his readers.]
Orders for the above work are solicited, and will be promptly filled as soon as the book is published.
To ministers we make the following offer: Any minister sending us the names of six subscribers for the book, with the money, shall receive a copy post-paid.
The book will contain nearly 500 pages. The retail price will be $2.00. Sent by mail, post-paid, on the receipt of the price.
Address all orders to Joshua V. Himes, Buchanan, Mich.
Over the words inclosed in brackets in paragraphs 5 and 6, a pencil mark was drawn, in the copy we received for insertion in the Review. It was no doubt very kind in the Voice to be so considerate of our feelings as thus to intimate that we need not lay those expressions before our readers; or else it was a tacit acknowledgment on its part, that it was ashamed of them. But as we notice that the Voice gives them in full to its readers we do not see why ours should be deprived of them.
The readers of the Review are already acquainted with the style in which Eld. P. has heretofore treated this question; and from the tenor of the foregoing notice, we have reason to suppose that he has not improved upon his former effort. Take the title: “The First-day Sabbath: clearly proved by showing that the old covenant, or ten commandments, have been changed or made complete in the Christian dispensation.” Passing by the unscriptural assumption that the ten commandments constituted the first or old covenant, we simply inquire what change has taken place in them, according to Eld. P. Why, simply the first day of the week has been put in place of the seventh, as the Sabbath. This is all the change that any Protestant will claim. But by this change, says Eld. P., the commandments were perfected or completed. Then before this change they were imperfect and incomplete. That is, so long as the original day on which God rested, and which he blessed and sanctified, remained in the commandments, they were imperfect. But when that was torn away, and the first day of the week, the heathen festival of the sun, never rested upon by any divine being, never blessed, never sanctified, never commanded to be kept holy, never even taken into the lips of the Lord of the Sabbath,—when this day was put in place of the seventh, then the commandments were perfected! Perfection with a vengeance!
But further, we are told that the institution is one thing, the particular day of the week another. This is the old seventh-part-of-time theory, which is to all practical intents, a no-Sabbath theory; since all Sabbath and no-Sabbath are virtually the same thing. But if the commandment only requires a seventh part of time, and one day answers its demand as well as another, how is it changed by putting the first-day in place of the seventh? and how, after this day is put in, is it any more perfect than it was before? We shall look with some interest to see how these points are explained.
Adventists have heretofore been, on this question, too much like Spiritualists, in utter confusion among themselves, and acknowledging no standard or authority; and if this book is simply to be an expression of the views of T. M. Preble, it will be of no consequence whatever. But if any considerable body of Adventists endorse it as an exposition of their views, and rest their cause upon its arguments, it may be of consequence to examine it. We shall wait to learn in what light they regard it; and our readers may then hear from us further on the subject.
“Thoughts on the Revelation.”
By L. L. HOWARD
I HAVE just been reading “Thoughts on Revelation,” and am much pleased with the book. I think every S. D. Adventist should possess one. It is an excellent work for reference, and also well adapted for those to read who are not Adventists. I hope our brethren will do all they can to scatter it among the people.
L. L. HOWARD.
Washington, N. H., July 29, 1867.
Appointments.
By John Byington; Chas. Stratton; Joseph Bates
And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of Heaven is at hand.
Providence permitting, I will meet with the brethren at South Bend, Indiana, August 21st, evening. North Liberty, 24, 25.
JOHN BYINGTON.
Our next Monthly Meeting in the Southern District in Maine, will be held in Portland, commencing Sabbath Eve, Aug. 16, and holding over Sabbath and first-day. Hope to meet the Brn. and sisters from Topsham, Brunswick, Woodstock and Falmouth, with warm hearts and ready minds to labor in this great work. Pray that God’s blessing may attend this meeting.
CHAS. STRATTON.
Providence permitting, there will be a three day’s meeting held in Bro. Hartson Hammond’s barn in China, Maine, commencing Thursday Eve, at 7 o’clock, Aug. 22. I expect Bro. Barnes to be there to assist in preaching the word. Pray for us Brn. that the blessing of the Lord may be ours in this meeting.
CHAS. STRATTON.
The next Monthly Meeting in Holly, Oak Co., will be held the first Sabbath in August.
JOSEPH BATES.
W. E. CHEESBRO: We are in receipt of your note with $1.00. You did not state what papers you wished to have sent to your subscribers, nor where you would have them sent. Please try again.
RECEIPTS.
For Review and Herald.
Annexed to each receipt in the following list, is the Volume and Number of the Review & Herald TO which the money received pays,—which should correspond with the Numbers on the Papers. If money for the paper is not in due time acknowledged, immediate notice of the omission should then be given.
$1.00 each. N Graves 31-1, M A Robinson 30-1, S Holt 31-1, E C Brown 30-17.
$1.50 each. J F Carman 31-14, T Hulet 31-1, P Dickinson 31-1, F N Bartholomew 31-1, R F Phippeny 30-7, J M Deen 30-5, Mrs L Deen 31-1, A Lawrence 31-1, H Satterlee 31-1, H Stewart 30-1.
$2.00 each. E Lamphar 31-3, O McKean 31-1, F White 30-13, S Wright 31-1.
$2.50 each. H Way 31-12, D Luke 33-1, Wm Kerr 32-1, O Munn 32-1, J Taber 30-1, J F Sindlinger 33-4, Mrs R B Hart 32-1, A Flanders 32-1, Mrs M Hays 32-1, Jas Baker 32-1, C W Wright 32-1.
Miscellaneous. F Dickinson $5.00 32-13, I Carpenter 2.75 31-1, A Thayer 2.75 31-1, W H Colcord 4.75 32-20, R H Johnson 2.75 31-22, Henry C West 4.25 31-21, F Lawson 2.50 31-18, J H Burlingame 3.55 31-1, J C Dayking 3.50 31-14, A A Clark 1.25 31-1, W P Clark 1.25 31-1, R Voorhees 1.25 30-1, Wm Millard 1.25 30-1.
To make up Advance Credits.
D Blanchard 75c, A Lawrence 50c, G W Mitchell 25c, D E Gibson 25c, H Olmstead 50c, M Jamison 50c, Mrs O Oaks 50c.
Donations to Publishing Association.
G W Mitchell $10.00.
Cash Received on Account.
D T Bourdeau for H Nicola $5.00, I Sanborn 3.50, W W Lockwood 15.65, W W Lockwood for J H Waggoner 2.00.
Books Sent By Mail.
Geo C Russ 25c, W F Fields $2.00, J L Hitchcock 1.00, J L Metcalf 10c, E R Haff 25c, J E French 1.12, A P Burwell 50c, S M Abbott 1.12, A Lawrence 60c, G W Mitchell 2.75, J P Sanders 3.00, Miss T A Rathbun 25c, Mrs Ira Gardner 25c, D Ferrell 1.15, H R Hart 1.15, N Keezer 3.00, A W Cummings 25c, W H Colcord 25c, Wm Merry 1.00, R H Johnson 64c, O S Wright 30c, R F Cottrell 2.10, J W Blake 1.00, J W Raymond 1.00, M F Dibble 25c, H Gilman 25c, C B Rideout 1.50, D W Johnson 2.50, A M Cornwall 25c, C Sturgis 25c, R T Payne 3.00, H F Phelps 25c, S C Perry 1.00, John Youngs 12c, J Johnson 12c, A Gilberts 12c, D E Gibson 12c, W W Lockwood 10c, L V Smith 68c, J Messersmith 20c, O A Pennoyer 1.00.
Books Sent By Express.
J N Andrews, Amherst, N. H., $49.88.
Michigan Conference Fund.
Church at Windsor $14.50, Newton 17.00, Convis 30.00.
For the Health-Reform Institute.
The following amounts are subscribed for shares in The Health-Reform Institute at $25.00, each share.
O H & E S Pratt $175.00, A Paton 25.00, Jennie Messersmith 250.00.
On Shares in the H. R. Institute.
The following amounts have been paid on pledges previously given to the Health-Reform Institute.
O H & E S Pratt $50.00, A Paton 25.00, Eld J N Andrews 75.00, M F Dibble 10.00, D R Palmer 175.00, W E Cheesebro 25.00, Jennie Messersmith 250.00.
Charitable Fund of the Institute.
Mrs C Manly $7.08, A J Nelson 21c, S P Clark 96c, Mrs S E Clark 96c, J Berry 1.49, M A Berry 1.74.
THE REFORMER. Those of our readers who fail to get their Reformer this month, will understand that it is because they have not renewed their subscription. They should renew immediately if they wish to secure the second volume complete, as it is uncertain how long back numbers can be supplied.
M. H. Irish: You will find the poetry, “The Mote and Beam,” or “Love thy Neighbor,” in Review last volume, p. 202.
Our printed envelope, which were advertised in No. 6 as “Something Nice,” are going off rapidly. We have plenty of them. Let the orders come.
J. M. A.