No Defect In God's Ten Commandments.

 It is said that we make too much of the Sabbath, and neglect the other nine commandments.

We believe that we must keep the whole law, and as the Apostle James said, " if we offend in one, we are guilty of all." If we continue to violate any one of the ten commandments, we shall surely fall in the day of the Lord.

Nine of them are universally admitted by the churches to be binding, and are professedly kept; while the fourth is utterly neglected, and trodden down by them. The reason why we have more to say on, the Sabbath commandment than the other nine, is because this is the very one that is trodden down.

Suppose a garden is enclosed by ten lengths of fence, and one of them is broken down. No one would say, the owner was wrong if he should give his whole attention to the broken down length until it was repaired. Neither are we wrong in vindicating the Sabbath truth, until the breach in the Law of God is repaired.

From Sabbath Tract No. 7, published by the American Sabbath Tract Society, No. 9, Spruce-street, New-York.

Plain Questions. 1. Did God, after he had finished the work of creation, " bless and sanctify" the seventh day of the week; or simply the seventh part of time, without reference to any particular day of the seven ?

 2. Did He not sanctify the very day in which he rested from his work ? Was not that the last day of the seven ? Did He sanctify any other?

3. WHY did He " bless and sanctify" the seventh day? Was it not because he rested on that day ? Will this reason apply to any other day of

80  THE PRESENT TRUTH

the seven ? Did he not work on EVERY other day? (See Gen. ii: 2, 3 )

 4. Is not God's example of resting on the seventh day enjoined upon us for imitation ? (Ex. xx : 8-11.) Do we imitate him, when we rest upon some other day than the one in which He rested ?

 5. Is it the special appointment of God which renders a day holy, or is it our own act ? Is the day holy because we count it so, or because God has made it so ?

6. When God enjoins us to count the Sabbath, " the holy of the Lord," (Isa. 58:  13,) is it not equivalent to telling us that He himself has previously  constituted it a holy day by blessing and sanctifying it ? Is it any thing more than requiring us to reckon the day to possess that dignity which He has already conferred upon it?

8. If God's blessing did not rest upon one particularly specified day, could he challenge to himself any propriety in one day more than in another? Yet in the Sabbath day he claims a special propriety; " My holy day." (Isa. lviii : 13.)

 9. Are we not commanded to refrain from labor in that very day which God once " blessed and sanctified," and thereby made holy time ? " In IT thou shalt not do any work," Do we obey this command when we work all of that day, and make it the busiest day of all the seven ?

10. If it be downright disobedience to set about our work on the seventh day, when God says, "in it thou shalt NOT do any work," can we think to make amends for this act of disobedience by ceasing from work on another day ? Even the performance of a required duty will not make amends for another one neglected. How much less, then, the performance of something which is not required ! "Who had required this at your hand ?"

11. Has God ever taken away the blessing which he once put upon the seventh day, and made that day a common or secular day ?

12. Does not the reason of the blessing (See Quest 3,) possess all the cogency now that it ever did ? Has it lost force by the lapse of time ? And while the reason of an institution remains, does not the institution itself remain?

13. Was the reason of the blessing which God originally put upon the seventh day, founded upon any need that men then had of a Redeemer ? Was it therefore to receive its accomplishment and fulfillment by the actual coming of the Redeemer ? In what possible sense can it be said, that Jesus Christ fulfilled and made an end of this reason ?

14. Has God ever said of the first day of the week, In it thou shalt not do any work? Has Christ ever said so ? Have the apostles ?

 15. Is there any scriptural proof that Christ, or His apostles, or the Christian churches in the days of the apostles, refrained from labor on the first day of the week?

 16. As there is no transgression where there is no law, (Rom. iv : 15 ; 1 John 3: 4,) what sin is committed by working on the first day of the week ?

 17. Does not the Sabbatic Institution RESULT from the blessing and sanctifying of a particular day ? Is not this the very things in which it consists? How then is the institution separable from the day thus " blessed and sanctified ?" How can it be separated from that upon which its very existence depends ?

 18. If the very life and soul of the institution consist in the blessing which was once put upon a particular day, is it not idle to talk of the transfer of the institution to another day ? If another day has been sanctified and blessed, then it is an entirely new institution, and not a transfer of the old.

19. Does not the law of the Sabbath require the weekly commemoration of that rest which God entered into after he had finished the work of creation ? By what principle of law or logic, then, can that law be made to require the commemoration of the work of redemption ?

20. If it be necessary that the work of redemption be commemorated weekly by a positive institution, must not the obligation so to commemorate it arise from some law which directly and specifically requires it? But when, instead of this, the attempt is made to derive the obligation from the Sabbath law, is it not a tacit acknowledgment that there is no law requiring the weekly commemoration of the work of redemption?

21. Does the Scripture ever apply the name Sabbath, to the first day of the week ? Even in the ..New Testament, where the term is used, is not the reference always to the seventh day ?

22. If Luke, who wrote the Acts of the Apostles full thirty years after the death of Christ, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, still calls the seventh day of the week the Sabbath, can it be wrong in us to do so ? (See Acts xiii : 14, 42, 44; xvi: 13 ; xvii : 1, 2 ; xviii: 4.) If this be the inspired application of the term so many years after all the ceremonial institutions were nailed to the cross, is it not our duty to make the same use of the term now ?

23. Is it not a manifest perversion of the scriptural use of terms, to take away the sacred name from the seventh day of the week, and give it to the first day ?

 24 When the first day of the week is so generally called the Sabbath, are not the common people thereby led to suppose that the Bible calls it so ? Are they not thus grossly deceived ?

25. If the name Sabbath were no longer applied to this day, and it should simply be called first day of the week, as in the Bible, is it not probable that it would soon lose its sacredness in the eyes of the people ?

 26. Is it possible, then, that God has not given the day a name sufficiently sacred to secure for it a religious regard, nor even guarded it with a law,  sufficient to prevent its desecration ?

 27. What then? HAS GOD LEFT HIS WORK FOR MAN TO MEND! IS IT NOT SAFE TO LEAVE THE DAY AS GOD HAS LEFT IT ! " Who hath directed the Spirit of the Lord, or being his counsellor both taught him ?" (Isa. xi: 13.)

28. Are you very sure that by the Lord's day; (Rev i : 10,) is meant the first day of the week ? Have you any Scripture proof of it ? Have you any other proof of it than the testimony of those who are called the early Fathers ?  * *

 34. Though the observance of the first day of the week as a religious festival be in itself innocent, so long as it is not made a pretext for dispensing with an express law of God, (Matt. xv:  6,) yet do you find it any where in the word of God commanded as a duty ?

35. Do you believe that a Sabbath, in the true and proper sense of the term; namely, a day of rest from all ordinary labor, is necessary and indispensable to the well-being of mankind ? If so, do you honestly suppose that God would set it aside, and have its place supplied by nothing worse than a religious festival ?

THE PRESENT TRUTH.  31

36. Is it not wicked to uphold a course which makes the commandment of God of none effect? (Matt. xv : 1-9 ; Mark vii: 1-13.

 Reader! carefully ponder the foregoing questions, together with the Scripture references. *  *  Do not trifle with the Holy Spirit of God, by forcibly wresting his word from its obvious meaning. Let conscience be unfettered ; and act, as fully realizing that "THOU, GOD, SEEST ME."

DIALOGUE; Between a Minister of the Gospel and a Sabbatarian.

 Sabbatarian. Did Jehovah ever sanctify one day above another ?

Minister. He did.

S. And what day was that? .

M. The seventh.

S. When?

M. When he finished his creative work.

 S. Where?

M. In Eden.

S. On whom was it obligatory ?

 M. On our first parents, and all their posterity.

S. Did he ever unsanctify that day?

M No.

 S. Did he ever sanctify the first, or any other day than the seventh, as a day of rest?

M. Not that I know of.

S. Then do not those who neglect the seventh day, take away something from the word of God ? And do not those who keep the first day add to that word?

Read the threatening of the Lord against such :—" If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: and if any man shall take away front the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book."

Dear Brethren and Sisters-- In this time of trial, we need to be encouraged, and comforted by each other. The temptations of Satan are greater now, than ever before; for he knows that his time is short, and that very soon, every case will be decided, either for Life, or for Death. It is no time to sink down beneath discouragement, and trial now ; but we must bear up under all our afflictions, and trust wholly in the mighty God of Jacob.

 The Lord has shown me that his grace is sufficient for all our trials; and although they are greater than ever before, yet if we trust wholly in God, we can overcome every temptation, and through his grace come off victorious.

If we overcome our trials, and get victory over the temptations of Satan, then we endure the time of our faith, which is much more precious than gold, and are stronger, and better prepared to meet the next. But if we sink down, and give way to the temptations of Satan, we shall grow weaker, and get no reward for the trial, and shall not be so well prepared to meet the next. In this way we shall grow weaker, and weaker, until we are led captive by Satan at his will. We must have on the whole armour of God, and be ready at any moment, for a conflict with the powers of darkness. When temptations and trials rush in upon us, let us go to God, and agonize with him in prayer. He will not turn us away empty ; but will give us grace and strength to overcome, and to break the power of the enemy. 0, that all could see these things in their true light, and endure hardness as good soldiers of Jesus. Then would Israel move forward, strong in God, and in the power of his might.

God has shown me that he gave his people a bitter cup to drink, to purify and cleanse them. It is a bitter draught, and they can make it still more bitter by murmuring, complaining, and repining. Those who receive it thus, must have another draught; for the first does not have its designed effect upon the heart. And if the second does not affect the work, then they must have another, and another, until it does have its designed effect, or they will be left filthy and impure in heart. I saw that this bitter cup can be sweetened by patience, endurance and prayer, and that it will have its designed effect upon the hearts of those who thus received it, and God will be honored and glorified. It is no small thing to be a Christian, and be owned and approved of God. The Lord has shown me some who profess the present truth, whose lives do not correspond with their profession. They have got the standard of piety altogether too low, and come far short of Bible holiness. Some engage in vain, and unbecoming conversation ; and others give way to the risings of self.

We must not expect to please ourselves, live and act like the world, have its pleasures, and enjoy the company of those who are of the world, and reign with Christ in glory.

We must be partakers of Christ's sufferings here, if we would share in his glory hereafter. If we seek our own interest, how we can best please ourselves, instead of seeking to please God, and advance his precious, suffering cause, we shall dishonor God, and the holy cause we profess We have but a little space of time left to work for God. Nothing should be too dear to sacrifice, for the salvation of the

32  THE PRESENT TRUTH

scattered and torn flock of Jesus. Those who make a covenant with God by sacrifice now, will soon be gathered home to share a rich reward, and possess the new kingdom forever and ever.

 0, let us live wholly for the Lord, and show by a well ordered life, and godly conversation that we have been with Jesus, and are his meek and lowly followers. We must work while the day lasts, for when the dark night of trouble and anguish comes, it will be too late to work for God. Jesus is still in his Holy Temple, and will now accept our sacrifices, our prayers, and our confessions of faults and sins, and will now pardon all the transgressions of Israel, that they may be blotted out before he leaves the Sanctuary. When Jesus leaves the Sanctuary, then he that is holy and righteous, will be holy and righteous still ; for all their sins will then be blotted out, and they will be sealed with the seal of the living God. But those that are unjust and filthy, will be unjust and filthy still ; for then there will be no Priest in the Sanctuary to offer their sacrifices, their confessions, and their prayers before the Father's throne. Therefore, what is done to rescue souls from the coming storm of wrath, must be done before Jesus leaves the Most Holy Place of the Heavenly Sanctuary.

The Lord has shown me that precious souls are starving, and dying for want of the present, sealing truth, the meat in due season ; and that the swift messengers should speed on their way, and feed the flock with the present truth. I heard an Angel say, " speed the swift messengers, speed the swift messengers; for the case of every soul will soon be decided, either for Life, or for Death.

" I saw that those who had the means, were required to help speed those messengers, that God had called to labor in his cause, and as they went from place to place, they would be safe from the prevailing pestilence. But if any went that were not sent of God, they would be in danger of being cut down by the pestilence ; therefore all should earnestly seek for duty, and be sure and move by the direction of the Holy Spirit.

What we have seen and heard of the pestilence, is but the beginning of what we shall see and hear. Soon the dead and dying will be all around us. I saw that some will be so hardened, as to even make sport of the judgements of God. Then the slain of the Lord will be from one end of the earth, to the other ; they will not be lamented, gathered, nor buried ; but their ill savor will come up from the face of the whole earth. Those only who have the seal of the living God, will be sheltered from the storm of wrath, that will soon fall on the heads of those who have rejected the truth. In Hope,  E. G. WHITE.

 Dear Brother White— Your first and second numbers of " The Present Truth," are received, and we are thankful to our Heavenly Father for the light of the truth.

 I would say for your encouragement, that the little band here have received the truth on the Sabbath, without an exception. And we thank the Lord for ever inclining Bro. Bates' mind to come to Jackson. 0, sound the alarm, and let the message fly ! I think it is the last one to the remnant. We herein send you ten dollars for the spread of the truth. If you need it all, use it ; if not, let' Bro. Bates have a part of it to travel with.

 Bro. White—I do believe that your paper is doing the Lord's work, and I wish no alteration in it, by mere human wisdom. Yet I would just suggest the propriety, if your means will admit of it, of having your sheet enlarged sufficient to insert extracts of the letters you may receive from the brethren who have or may receive the message, for no doubt you will have many such. I have two reasons for the above suggestion. First, it will be comforting those who have received it, to hear of others. Second, it may induce some to examine the subject, that would not otherwise, but do as the Lord shall direct.

 Give our love to Sister White, and Bro. Bates. Tell him we are all strong in the Lord, rejoicing in the truth. How thankful I am that this blessed truth has not divided us. 0, praise the Lord !

Yours, in Hope, J. C. BOWLES.

Jackson, Mich. Aug. 18th, 1849.

The letter from Bro Bowles will be read with interest, especially by those who were interested in Bro. Bates' tour to the West. I did not intend to publish letters from the Brethren, but it does seem to me that such cheering news as Bro. Bowles' letter contains, should be published.

My Post-Office address, until further notice is given, will be Topsham, Me., where I hope to hear from the Brethren.

*******

Taken from-

THE PRESENT TRUTH, 

PUBLISHED SEMI-MONTHLY—BY JAMES WHITE.

Vol. 1.  MIDDLETOWN, CONN. AUGUST, 1849.  No.4

We are now studying - 'The Present Truth' papers published in the middle 1800's. These are called the 'Present Truth' because it WAS Present Truth for that time. So why study them now? Because TRUTH at any time is worth studying, and we KNOW that often ORIGINAL truth presented before Satan has had an opportunity to corrupt it, can be very enlightening. At the very least we will see, by the grace of God, through the Holy Spirit, what truth then is still uncorrupted today and still very relevant for us living in these dark, dark times. Our world today compared to a hundred and seventy years ago is so much worse than it was, with so much evil being called good, and good being called evil.  May God bless us as we seek HIS truth for us in our present, bringing us only closer to Him and prayerfully the Second Coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

Power In God's Presence.

Jos 3:15  And as they that bare the ark were come unto Jordan, and the feet of the priests that bare the ark were dipped in the brim of the water, (for Jordan overfloweth all his banks all the time of harvest,) 

Jos 3:16  That the waters which came down from above stood and rose up upon an heap very far from the city Adam, that is beside Zaretan: and those that came down toward the sea of the plain, even the salt sea, failed, and were cut off: and the people passed over right against Jericho. 

Jos 3:17  And the priests that bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firm on dry ground in the midst of Jordan, and all the Israelites passed over on dry ground, until all the people were passed clean over Jordan. 

Continued

These shepherds that have opposed the truth, have not only refused to work for God in repairing the breach in the law; but they have done their best to hinder others. They would not go up into the breach themselves, and many of those who would go, they have hindered. In this way they have stood in the way of God's work, and the blood of souls will be found on their garments. What fearfulness will surprise these men, when the wrath of Almighty God is poured out, and they find out too late, that they are without a shelter; and what an awful thing to come up to the judgment, with their garments all stained over with the blood of precious souls, whom they have spiritually slaughtered.

" Howl, ye shepherds, and cry ; and wallow yourselves in the ashes, ye principal of the flock : for the days of YOUR SLAUGHTER and of YOUR DISPERSIONS are accomplished ; and ye shall fall like a pleasant vessel. And the shepherds shall have NO WAY to flee, nor the principal of the flock to escapes" Jer. 25 : 34, 35.

This is when " evil shall go forth from nation to nation, and a great whirlwind shall be raised up from the coasts of the earth;" and when the " slain of the Lord shall be from one end of the earth, even unto the other end of the earth ;" and when "they shall NOT BE LAMENTED, NEITHER GATHERED, NOR BURIED."

Evil has begun to go forth from nation to nation, and the signs are fast gathering all around us, that the great and dreadful

28  THE PRESENT TRUTH

day of wrath and slaughter, will soon burst upon the world.

The thirty-fourth chapter of Ezekiel is a prophetic description of the cruel work of these shepherds, in scattering the flock since 1844, by opposing the present truth ; and of the deliverance of those who overcome.

" Thus saith the Lord God unto the shepherds ; Woe be to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves ! should not the shepherds feed the flocks ?" Ezk 34 : 2.

 The flock here represents God's people who were called out of the sectarian churches, and were one united flock in 1844, and have since been scattered.

 " And ye my flock, the flock of my pasture; are MEN and I am your God."— Verse 31st.

God has promised to gather the feeble scattered flock. Those honest souls that have been thrust by these shepherds, till they are scattered abroad, will be gathered home.

"I will seek 'that which was lost, and bring again that which was driven away, and will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick; but' I will destroy the fat and the strong ; I will feed them with judgment." Verse 16th.

The scattering has been from the true position ; and the gathering will be to the 'present true position.

The saints are to be gathered into the unity of the faith, where they will no longer be " tossed to and fro," by the " cunning craftiness of men." (These shepherds.) See Eph. iv : 11-16. They will all be united on the great sealing truth, which is the Sabbath of the Lord our God.

" Seemeth it a small thing unto you to have eaten up the good pasture, but ye must tread down with your feet the residue of your pastures'? and to have drunk of the deep waters, but ye must foul the residue with your feet?

 And as for my flock, they eat that which ye have trodden with your feet, and they drink that which ye have fouled with your feet." Verses 18th and 19th„

The present truth relating to the Sabbath, and our advent experience, or as John has it in Rev 14 : 12 ; 12 : 17, " the commandments of God, and the faith, or testimony of Jesus Christ," is to us the living bread and water of heaven. It is our spiritual meat and drink. This meat in due season, the shepherds have trodden,  down, and fouled it with their feet. They have called the holy Sabbath. a yoke of bondage, and the Sabbath of the old Jews, and have represented those that observe it, as having fallen from grace, and being under the bondage of the law of Moses. We have also been called fanatics, because we would follow the Lord, and the Bible, and keep the Sabbath according to the commandment.   Our holy experience, wrought in us by the power of the Holy Ghost, as we followed the sure Word in 1843, and '44, has been called by them the work of Man, Mesmerism, or of the Devil. In this way these shepherds, who have not gone up into the gap, have trodden down the good pasture, and fouled the deep waters; but God's people eat that which they have trodden with their feet.

 The scattering time since 1844, has truly been "a dark and cloudy day." The weary and torn flock have been grieved, driven, and scattered upon the mountains ; but the gathering time has come, and the sheep are beginning to hear the cheering voice of the true Shepherd, in the commandments of God, and the testimony of Jesus, as they are being more fully proclaimed. The message will go, the sheep will be gathered into the present truth, and the breach restored. All the powers of earth and hell combined, cannot stop the work of God. Then let the message fly, for time is short.

 God has wonderfully honored his ten commandments. The power and glory of God that attended the ark of the covenant, parted the waters of the river Jordan, and rolled them back ; so that they stood upon an heap, in the days of Joshua, while all Israel passed over on dry ground. The priests took up the ark;  and the people. moved on after it; and when the soles of the priests feet that bore the ark were dipped in the brim of the water, Jordan parted. The feet of the priests that bear the ark of the covenant, stood firm on dry ground in the midst of the river, while the people hasted and passed over. Then when the priests that bore the ark came up out of Jordan, and stood upon the bank of the river, down came the waters of Jordan, and flowed over all his banks as before.

 The walls of Jericho fell down before the ark of God. Seven priests went before the ark, blowing their simple trumpets of rams horns, as they compassed the city each day, for six day in succession. Then on the seventh day, the ark of the Lord went round the city seven times in like manner ; " and when the priests blew with the trumpets, Joshua said unto the people

THE PRESENT , TRUTH.  29

Shout ;" and down came the walls of Jericho, before the ark of the covenant.

 When Israel kept the ten commandments they prevailed, and subdued their enemies; but when they broke any of them, they -were smitten, and compelled to flee before them.

 Hophni and Phinehas, the sons of Eli, broke the seventh commandment, and made the Lord's people to transgress. Therefore when Israel went out against the Philistines to battle, they were smitten before the Philistines, and there fell of them " about four thousand men," and the ark of God was taken.

 When the messenger told Eli that the ark of God was taken, he fell from his seat backward, " and his neck brake, and he died." He was not so much effected in hearing of the slaughter of four thousand of the men of Israel, and of the death of his two sons; but when the messenger "made mention of the ark of God, he fell from his seat;" for he knew that the glory had departed from Israel.

The Philistines put the ark into the house of Dagon, their god, and in the morning, "behold Dag-on was fallen upon his face to the earth before the ark of the Lord." They set him in his place again; and the next morning they found Dagon on his face, with his head, and the palms of his hands cut off.

The ark was in the country of the Philistines seven months, and _during this time "the hand of the Lord was against them with a very great destruction ;" and they were exceeding anxious to get rid of the ark of God, and have it go back to Israel, where it belonged. They made a new cart, and laid the ark upon it, and took two milch-kine that had never been yoked, and tied them to the cart, and shut up their calves at home.

 "And the king took the straight way to the way of Beth shemesh, and went along the highway, lowing as they went, and turned not aside to the right hand or to the left." 1 Sam. vi: 12. The cart came into the field of Joshua; and the Levites took it down, and set it 'on the great stone of Abel. Here, fifty thousand and seventy of the men of Beth-shemesh were slain, because they looked into the ark.

It was the power and glory that attended the law of God that parted Jordan, and gave the children of Israel victory and power, as they entered the land of promise ; and it will be the glory and power of the commandments, that will enable the saints of the Most High "to stand in the battle in the day of the Lord" and take the kingdom.

Then they were engraven in stones; but now they are to be sealed in the hearts, and minds (foreheads) of the saints of the Most High, by the Holy Spirit of promise.

There is as much power in the commandments of God now, as ever there was; and when the whole law of God is observed by all his people, and the breach fully repaired, then " the house of Israel will stand in the battle in the day of the Lord,"

 When Israel transgressed one of the commandments, they were driven before their enemies, and if we violate the fourth, we shall fall in the day of slaughter. Therefore our present work is to vindicate the Sabbath of the Lord our God, and thus repair the breach that has been made in the commandments.

To be continued….

*******

Taken from-

THE PRESENT TRUTH, 

PUBLISHED SEMI-MONTHLY—BY JAMES WHITE.

Vol. 1.  MIDDLETOWN, CONN. AUGUST, 1849.  No.4

We are now studying - 'The Present Truth' papers published in the middle 1800's. These are called the 'Present Truth' because it WAS Present Truth for that time. So why study them now? Because TRUTH at any time is worth studying, and we KNOW that often ORIGINAL truth presented before Satan has had an opportunity to corrupt it, can be very enlightening. At the very least we will see, by the grace of God, through the Holy Spirit, what truth then is still uncorrupted today and still very relevant for us living in these dark, dark times. Our world today compared to a hundred and seventy years ago is so much worse than it was, with so much evil being called good, and good being called evil.  May God bless us as we seek HIS truth for us in our present, bringing us only closer to Him and prayerfully the Second Coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

Opposition to Truth, Sabbath Truth.

Taken from-

THE PRESENT TRUTH, 

PUBLISHED SEMI-MONTHLY—BY JAMES WHITE.

Vol. 1.  MIDDLETOWN, CONN. AUGUST, 1849.  No.4

Repairing the Breach in the Law of God.

" And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places; thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in. If thou turn 'away thy foot from the Sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy . day ; and call the Sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, etc. Isa. 58 : 12, 13. Those who turn away their feet from treading down the Sabbath, and keep it holy, and make it a delight, have the promise of being called repairers of the breach. If we repair a breach by teaching, and observing the Sabbath according to the fourth commandment, then it necessarily follows, that the breach has been caused by those who, have been trampling down this commandment. Therefore the breach that has been made, and is now being repaired, is in the law of God

God's everlasting covenant of commandments was not to he "DIMINISHED," "broken nor altered." Deut. 4: 2; Ps. 89 : 34. Jesus said, " For VERILY I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in NO WISE pass from the law." Mat. 5: 18. The proof is plain and positive, that the law of God engraven in stones was to remain the same to the close of time : yet we see almost the whole professed Christian world, every week, trampling down the fourth immutable law in God's everlasting covenant, thus making a breach in his holy law

But the time has come for the Sabbath to be proclaimed more fully, and the breach repaired. The fifty-eighth chapter of Isaiah commences thus—" Cry aloud; spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgressions, and the house of Jacob their sins." The Prophet then describes the fasts of the present day, which are by no means acceptable to God, and then shows us what a true and acceptable fast is.

"Is not this the fast that I have chosen ? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to LET THE OPPRESSED GO FREE, and that ye break every yoke." Verse 6th. The falling judgments of Almighty God will not be averted by such a fast as was holden August 3d, while on this nation rests the cruel, and damning sin of slavery. Let them break the yoke than binds the poor slave, and undo his unjust and heavy burden, and thus let the oppressed go free, and then they have begun to fast in God's appointed way. The wrath of God will not be turned away from this favored land of light, stained with sins of the deepest dye, by a few cold and formal prayers, from those who have rejected his truth, and. are desecrating the holy Sabbath every week. It seems plain that Isaiah looked down in prophetic vision to this very time, when the breach in the law, first made by the little horn, (see Dan. 7: 25,) is being repaired.

Ezekiel speaks of the same breach. "Ye have not gone up into the gaps, (margin breaches,) neither made up the hedge for the house of Israel to stand in the battle in the day of the Lord." Ezek. 13: 5. The day of the Lord has but one place, and that is just before us. This prophecy has not been fulfilled in past time ; for its fulfilment is closely connected with the day of the Lord, which is future

This breach must be built up, that the Israel of God may be able to stand in the great and terrible day of slaughter, that is fast rolling on ; therefore, the work of repairing the breach in the commandments of God belongs just before, and preparatory to, the day of destruction by the seven last plagues.

God has a place for everything, and everything is in its place. So we see that the mighty work of repairing the breach in the law of God, by teaching and observing the Sabbath, which has been so long trodden down, belongs exactly here, just before the four Angels let loose the four winds, that the Israel of God may keep the whole law, and be sealed with the seal of the living God, which will enable them to

26  THE PRESENT TRUTH.

" stand -in the battle in the day of the Lord.

" And behold, six men came from the way of the higher gate, which lieth toward the north, and every man a slaughter-weapon in his hand; and one man among them was clothed with linen, with a writer's inkhorn by his side : and they went in and stood before the brazen altar." Ezek. 9: 2

The five Angels* with slaughter weapons, have charge of the work of slaughter, in the day of Lord.

*Angels are sometimes called men in the Scriptures, see Gen 18: 1,2, and 16, 17; 19 : 1; Dan 9: 21; Acts 1:  10.

The one clothed with linen, is the sealing Angel, or the Angel that has oversight of the sealing work. "And the Lord said unto him, Go through Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof. And to the others he said in mine hearing, Go ye after him through the city, and SMITE : LET NOT YOUR EYE SPARE, NEITHER PITY : SLAY UTTERLY OLD AND YOUNG," etc. Ezek. 9 : 4-6.

The man with the ink-horn first goes through, and marks a mark on the foreheads of the sighing saints.. This mark seals them, and they are safe in the time of slaughter. "BUT COME NOT NEAR ANY MAN UPON WHOM IS THE MARK, verse 6th. The work of slaughter immediately follows, and none but the marked, or sealed ones stand in the battle of the Lord. So we see that the repairing of the breach in the law of God, and the sealing, are one and the same work, just before the day of the Lord, " cruel both with wrath and fierce anger.

"Woe unto the foolish prophets, that follow their own spirit, and have seen nothing ! O Israel, thy prophets are like the foxes in the deserts. Ye have not gone up into the gaps," etc. Eze. 13: 3-5,

The prophets that have not gone up into the gaps, represent advent preachers who have rejected the Sabbath, and have refused to work for God, in repairing the breach. Their being like the cunning foxes of the deserts doubtless represents the artful positions which some of them have taken to hunt and destroy souls, in persuading them to give up the Sabbath, and in keeping others from embracing it.

These men have not been agreed among themselves, while carrying on this Work of spiritual destruction and death. There has been, at least, four different positions taken by some of them, as they have opposed the true one.

The first position that was taken in opposition to the true Sabbath, when the subject was first spread before the second advent people, was that it was changed from the seventh day to the first, at the time of the first advent.

This position was so very weak and unscriptural, that, it did not accomplish much; therefore it was thought necessary to sweep away the whole law of God, in order to get rid of the Sabbath.

This second position against the Sabbath, that the ten commandments were abolished at the first advent, and are dead, has done an awful work of slaughter among the precious flock. Though there is not one text, nor one line in all the Bible to sustain such a view, and much plain Scripture testimony against it; yet many seem determined to cling fast to it.

" It is time for thee, Lord, to work : for they have made VOID THY LAW," Ps. 119 : 126.

The third position that has been taken by some of these men who have opposed the Sabbath, was that the first day of the week was the seventh-day Sabbath. This view was introduced into the " Bible Advocate," published at Hartford, Conn., in 1847. The whole argument that sustained it was drawn from this one text, " For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly, so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth." Matt. 12: 40.

It was argued that Monday was the resurrection day; because three days and three nights from Friday, the day of our Lord's burial, would reach to Monday. But three days and three nights, from the time that Jesus was put in Joseph's new tomb, would reach to Monday night ; and if the Son of man was to remain in the tomb just three days and three nights, then he arose in the evening, instead of the morning, and all four of the Evangelists were wrong in recording that the resurrection took place in the morning. This view which has been so recently discovered, that Monday is the first day of the week, and Sunday the seventh, and that all the world have made a mistake, of just one day, in numbering the days of the week, has but one text to sustain it, and a fulfilment of this one- text, as to time, has never yet been shown. According to this view, those who have been keeping Sunday in commemoration of the day of the resurrection, should have kept Monday ; and in keeping Sunday for the first day of the week, they have been observing the seventh-day Sabbath, and did not know it. A singular mistake indeed, to be hid from the world so long, and be found out in 1847 !

But if Jesus rose from the dead on Monday, then the resurrection was on the fourth day, which does not agree with the testimony of Jesus, and St. Paul.

" Thus it is written, and thus it behooveth Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead THE THIRD DAY." Luke 24: 46.  See also Matt. 16 : 21; 20: 19 ; Mark 9 : 31; 10 : 34; Luke 9 : 22 ; 18: 33

" For I delivered unto-you first of all, that which I also received, how-that Christ died for our sins according to-the Scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again THE THIRD DAY, according to the Scriptures." 1 Cor. 15 : 3, 4.

Jesus was crucified on Friday, which was the first day ; Sabbath he rested in the tomb, which was the second, and Sunday, the first day of the week, he rose from the dead which was THE THIRD DAY. This is plain enough for all who want to see the truth; but those who wish to cavil, and pervert the Word, have a chance.

The fourth position that has been taken against the Sabbath truth, is that the fourth commandment is relaxed, and we are at liberty to keep the Sabbath, or to desecrate it; just as we choose, only be sure and not make it a test. This last position has deceived precious souls, as they have been led to believe, " by good, words, and fair speeches," that Jesus did really relax the Sabbath law. But there is not one text in the New Testament that proves any such thing, and there is much plain and direct testimony from Jesus and his Apostles, that all of the commandments of God are in full force.

Those who have embraced the true Sabbath, and have been teaching it, have been united in it. They have but one position to take on the Sabbath question ; while those who have been opposing it, have in their turn advocated as many as four different views ; and some of them have been as much opposed to each other, as to the true position. Truth is a unit, while error has a variety of heads and horns. This was so in 1842, and '43, when Daniel's vision of the twenty-three hundred days was proclaimed.

Some of those men who then opposed the advent truth, took the ground. that the twenty-three hundred days of Dan. 8 14 were literal days ; others that they were only eleven hundred and fifty literal days. Then Mr. Bush came out in opposition to all. He stated that the twenty-three hundred days were prophetic, and that we were correct on time ; but erred in the event. Those who had the true position were united, therefore, triumphed.

These men that have opposed the Sabbath, have pursued a course similar to that which was taken in opposing the second advent. But the Sabbath truth is so plain and simple, that a child may understand it; and those who receive and obey it, are united in it, and in the strength of Israel's God they will overcome, and triumph; Amen.

To Be Continued…

*******

We are now studying - 'The Present Truth' papers published in the middle 1800's. These are called the 'Present Truth' because it WAS Present Truth for that time. So why study them now? Because TRUTH at any time is worth studying, and we KNOW that often ORIGINAL truth presented before Satan has had an opportunity to corrupt it, can be very enlightening. At the very least we will see, by the grace of God, through the Holy Spirit, what truth then is still uncorrupted today and still very relevant for us living in these dark, dark times. Our world today compared to a hundred and seventy years ago is so much worse than it was, with so much evil being called good, and good being called evil.  May God bless us as we seek HIS truth for us in our present, bringing us only closer to Him and prayerfully the Second Coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

From One Sabbath to Another

(Isa_66:23  And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the LORD.)

Continued…..

At the commencement of the Holy Sabbath, (Jan. 5,) we engaged in prayer with Bro. Belden's family at Rocky Hill, Ct., and the Holy Ghost fell upon us. I was taken off in Vision to the Most Holy Place, where I saw Jesus still interceding for Israel. On the bottom of his garment was a bell and a pomegranate, a bell and a pomegranate. Then I saw that Jesus would not leave the Most Holy Place, until every case was decided either for salvation or destruction: and that the wrath of God could not come until Jesus had finished his work in the Most Holy Place—laid off his priestly attire and clothed himself with the garments of vengeance. Then Jesus will step out from between the Father and man, and God will keep silent no longer; but pour out his wrath on those who have rejected his truth.

I saw that the anger of the nations, the wrath of God, and the time to judge the dead, were separate events, one following the other.  I saw that Michael had not stood up, and that the time of trouble, such as never was, had not yet commenced. The nations are now getting angry, but when our High Priest has finished his work in the Sanctuary, he will stand up, put on the garments of vengeance, and then the seven last plagues will be poured out.

I saw that the four angels would hold the four winds until Jesus' work was done in the Sanctuary, and then will come the seven last plagues.

These plagues enraged the wicked against the righteous, and they thought that we had brought them down upon them, and if they could rid the earth of us, then the plagues would be stayed. A decree went forth to slay the saints, which caused them to cry day and night for deliverance. This was the time of Jacob's trouble. Then all the saints cried out with anguish of spirit, and were delivered by the Voice of God. Then the 144,000 triumphed. Their faces were lighted up .with the glory of God. Then I was shown a company who were howling in agony. On their garments was written in large characters, "thou art weighed in the balance, and found wanting." I asked who this company were. The angel said, these are they who have once kept the Sabbath and have given it up." I heard them cry with a loud voice---." we have believed in thy coming, and taught it with energy." And while they were speaking, their eyes would fall upon their garments and see the writing, and then they would wail aloud. I saw they had drunk of the deep waters, and fouled the residue with their feet—trodden the Sabbath underfoot, and that is why they were weighed in the balance and found wanting.

Then my attending angel directed me to the City again, where I saw four angels winging their way to the gate of the City, and were just presenting the golden card to the angel at the gate. Then I saw another angel swiftly flying from the direction of the most excellent glory, and crying with a loud voice to the other angels, and waving something up and down in his hand. I asked my attending angel for an explanation of what I saw. He told me that I could see no more then, but he would shortly show me what those things that I then saw meant.

 Sabbath afternoon one of our number was, sick, and requested prayers that he might be healed. We all united in applying to the Physician who never lost a case, and while healing power came down, and the sick was healed, the Spirit fell upon me, and I was taken off in vision. I saw four angels who had a work to do on the earth, and were on their way to accomplish it. Jesus was clothed with Priestly garments. He gazed in pity on the remnant, then raised his hands upward, and with a voice of deep pity cried—" MY BLOOD, FATHER, MY BLOOD, MY BLOOD, MY BLOOD." Then I saw an exceeding bright light come from God, who sat upon the great white throne, and was shed all about Jesus. Then I saw an angel with a commission from Jesus, swiftly flying to the four angels who had a work to do on the earth, and waving something up and down in his hand, and crying with a loud voice— " HOLD ! HOLD ! HOLD ! HOLD ! until the servants of God are sealed in their foreheads." I asked my accompanying angel the meaning of what I heard, and what the four angels were about to do. He shewed me that it was God that restrained the powers, and that he gave his angels charge over things on the earth, and that the four angels had power from God to hold the four winds, and that they were about to let the four winds go, and while they had started on their mission to let them go, the merciful eye of Jesus gazed on the remnant that were not all sealed, then he raised his hands to the Father and plead with him that he had spilled his blood for them.—

Then another angel was commissioned to fly swiftly to the four angels, and bid them hold until the servants of God were sealed with the seal of the living God in their foreheads.

I have seen the tender love that God has for his people, and that it is very great. I saw an angel over every saint, with their wings spread about them : and if the saints wept through discouragement, or were in danger the angel that ever attended them would fly quickly upward to carry the tidings, and the angels in the City would cease to sing. Then Jesus would commission another angel to descend to encourage, watch over and try to keep them from going out of the narrow path : but, if they did not take heed to the watchful care of these angels, and would not be comforted by them, and continued to go astray, the angels would look sad and weep, Then they would bear the tidings upward, and all the angels in the City would weep, and then with a loud voice say, Amen. But if the saints fixed their eyes on the prize before them, and glorified God by praising him, then the angels would bear the glad,  tidings to the City, and the angels in the city would touch their golden harps and sing with a loud voice—Alleluia! and the heavenly arches would ring with lovely songs. I will here state, that there is perfect order and harmony in the holy City. All the angels that are commissioned to visit the earth, hold a golden card which they present to the angels at the gates of the City, as they pass in and out. Heaven is a good place. I long to be there, and behold my lovely Jesus, who 'gave his life for me, and be changed into his glorious image. Oh for language to express the glory of the bright world to come. I thirst for the loving streams that make glad the City of our God. The Lord has given me a view of other worlds. Wings were given me, and an angel attended me from the City to a place that was bright and glorious. The grass of the place was living green, and the birds there warbled a sweet song. The inhabitants of the place were of all sizes, they were noble, majestic and lovely. They bore the, express image of Jesus, and their countenances beamed with holy joy, expressive' of the freedom and happiness of the place. I asked one of them why they were so much more lovely than those on the earth. The reply was—" we have lived in strict obedience to the commandments of God and have not fallen by disobedience, like those on the earth.

Then I saw two trees, one looked much like the tree of life in the City. The fruit of both looked beautiful ; but of one they could not eat. They had power to eat of both, but were forbidden to eat of one. Then my attending angel said to me— "none in this place have tasted of the forbidden tree ; but if they should eat they would fall." Then I was taken to a world which had seven moons. There I saw good old Enoch, who had been translated. On his right arm he bore a glorious palm, and on each leaf was written Victory. Around his head was a dazzling white wreath, and leaves on the wreath, and in the middle of each leaf was written Purity ; and around the leaf were stones of various colors, that shone brighter than the stars, and cast a reflection upon the letters, and magnified them. On the back part of his head was a bow that confined the wreath, and upon the bow was written Holiness. Above the wreath was a lovely crown that shone brighter than the sun. I asked him if this was the place he was taken to from the earth. He said "it is not; but the City is my home, and I have come to visit this place." He moved about the place as if perfectly at home. I begged of my attending angel to let me remain in that place. I could not bear the thought of coming back to this dark world again. Then the angel said—" you must go back, and if you are faithful, you, with the 144,000 shall have the privilege of visiting all the worlds and viewing the handy work of God."

Dec. 16, 1848, the Lord gave me a view of the shaking of the powers of the heavens. I saw that when the Lord said "heaven" (in giving the signs recorded by Matt., Mark and Luke,) he meant heaven, and when he said " earth" he meant earth. The powers of heaven, are the Sun, Moon and Stars : they rule in the heavens. The powers of earth are those who bear rule on the earth. The powers of heaven will be shaken at the voice of God. Then the Sun, Moon, and Stars will be moved out of their places. They will not pass away, but be shaken by the voice of God. Dark, heavy clouds came up, and clashed against each other. The atmosphere parted and rolled back, then we could look up through the open space in Orion, from whence came the voice of God. The Holy City will come down through that open space. I saw that the powers of earth are now being shaken, and that events come in order. War, and rumors of war,— sword, famine and pestilence, are first to shake the powers of earth, then the voice of God will shake the Sun, Moon and Stars, and this earth also. I saw that the shaking of the powers in Europe is not (as some teach) the shaking of the powers of heaven, but it is the shaking of the angry nations. E. G. WHITE.

Correction. In No. 1, page 6, first column, I stated that Jesus quoted three of the least commandments from the second table of stone, in Mat. 5: 21st, 27th, and 33d. This is not correct. Jesus referred to the sixth, and seventh commandments on the second table, in verses 21st, and 27th, and to the third commandment on the first table, in verse 33d. The fact that Jesus refers to both tables of the decalogue, makes it still stronger that the whole law is to remain the same, till heaven and earth pass away

*******

As a former corporate Seventh Day Adventist,  I still believe that there is a time and place for all things. I believe that the message given was true for its time, meaning, just as God in the Bible foretold various events to happened, and then circumstances altered those events- the same is true always. Things can't be acceptable in God's word once, but then no longer as if God does not still reign. We know that Ellen White had visions, and truth, but NEVER claimed precedent over the BIBLE, never! The Bible only is the true standard. I take NONE of Ellen White's visions and hold them up as God's Holy Word. Do I believe she had messages, visions, and wisdom from God- yes. But I also believe her messages were given during a certain time and place, and not ALL of them are still relevant for our time and place. She herself said that Christ would be there soon- over and over again and then….she changed that tune and said that God's people may have to remain here many more years. Why the change? Because just as Moses was promised a land of milk and honey, He altered that inheritance for himself through circumstances and was not allowed to enter the promised land. Does that mean the promise wasn't true when it was given to him? No. It means circumstances can alter the path God puts us on.

We know the Bible tells us what must come to pass, and ALL of it will come to pass even if it doesn't come to pass as Ellen White was shown in her visions. We know that the same God who gave His prophet Daniel the world's history in a broad stroke- that the stone that is cut out without hands will crush all the kingdoms of the earth and Christ's kingdom will reign. We know all the prophecies have come to pass one after the other just as predicted and that NOTHING will stop the rest of the predications from coming to pass.

Could the Israelites who were saved from Egypt have entered their promised land sooner than forty years? Yes. Did they? No. They had many more years in the wilderness wandering before they were given the promised land.  Could we as the human race have expedited the return of our Savior, yes, but all things being as they are… the return of our Savior is NOT going to disappear, but appear as the final events unfold in God's time.

Just as Ellen White and all those who were alive in her time waited and longed for the return of Christ, we too wait and long for His return. We know that there WILL be a group of waiting saints when He does return, and we can only pray we are worthy to be HIS, through HIS blood, HIS sacrifice.

So, believe Ellen White's visions, or don't believe, they do NOT detract from the Bible, the Word of God, nor do they hinder the Holy Spirit from enlightening all those who truly seek their LORD and SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST, NOW AND FOREVER!!!!!!!  Amen.

20 Reasons For Keeping the 7th Day Sabbath, Not the 1st Day.

From Tract .No. 6. of the American Sabbath Tract Society. Twenty Reasons for Keeping Holy each Week the Seventh Day instead of the First Day.

1. Because the Seventh day was blessed and sanctified for a Sabbath, by God, immediately after the creation of the world, as a perpetual memorial of that wonderful work, and of His own resting from it; and because there is now as much need for man to remember God's creative work, and to enjoy a weekly rest, as ever there was.

2. Because there is evidence that the Seventh Day was observed from Adam to Moses. Gen.36 3-6 ; 29 : 27, 28.

3. Because the Seventh Day is a necessary part of the fourth commandment, given at Mount Sinai, graven on stone by the finger of God, and incorporated with the other nine precepts of the Decalogue, which are admitted to be moral in their nature, and perpetually binding. "Remember the Sabbath Day to keep it holy." "The Seventh Day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God " " For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the Seventh Day; wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath Day and hallowed it,"

4. Because the Old Testament abounds with declarations of God's- blessing upon those who keep holy the Seventh Day, and of his vengeance upon those who profane it

5. Because our Lord Jesus Christ enforced the claims of the law to the fullest extent, saying in regard to the code to which the Seventh Day belonged, " Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled;" and because He always kept holy the Seventh Day, in this doubtless " leaving us an example that we should follow in His steps "

6. Because the holy women who had attended Jesus Christ at his death and burial, are expressly said to have "rested the Sabbath Day according to the commandment," (Luke 23 : 56;) and because, though the narrative proceeds immediately to record the appearance of Jesus Christ, on the morning of the first day of the week, neither there nor elsewhere is one word said about a change of the Sabbath, or about the sabbatic observance of the First Day of the Week.

7. Because the Apostles of our Lord constantly kept the Seventh Day, of which there is abundant evidence in the Acts of the Apostles, and it is declared of Paul, that, " as his manner was," he went into the synagogue frequently, on the Sabbath Day. (Compare Luke 4 : 16, with Acts 17 : 2 ; see also Acts 13 : 14, 42; 44, and 16:13.)

8. Because Jesus Christ, foretelling the destruction of Jerusalem, warned his disciples to pray that their flight might not happen " on the Sabbath Day ;" and as that event was to take place almost forty years after the resurrection of our Lord, it appears that the same Sabbath was to be then observed by his disciples.

9, Because there is no other day of the week called by the name of " Sabbath," in all the Holy Scriptures, but the Seventh Day alone; and because, when " the First Day of the Week" is mentioned in the New Testament, it is always clearly distinguished from " the Sabbath."

10. Because not one of those passages which speak of the" First Day of the Week," records an event or transaction peculiar to the Sabbath.

11. Because when God had so carefully committed his Law to writing, had repeated his precepts throughout the prophetic books, and had left so many testimonies and examples of the Seventh Day Sabbath on His sacred records, it is most unreasonable to suppose that He would have repealed or changed one single article thereof, without recording it among the words of our Lord Jesus or His Apostles, in the writings of the New Testament.

12. Because the observance of the Moral Law, (without any exception from it,) is constantly enjoined, in the writings of the Apostles; and one of them says that " Whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all" quoting at the same time the sixth and seventh commandments. (See Rom. 13 : 9 ; Gal. 5 : 14; Eph. 6: 2, 3 ; and James 2: 8-11.)

13. Because the religious observance of the Seventh Day of the Week as the Sabbath, was constantly practised by the primitive Christians, for three or four hundred years at least; and because, though it gradually fell into disuse, the neglect of the Sabbath was caused only by those corruptions of-Christianity, which at length grew up into the grossest idolatry ; so that the second commandment was in fact, and the fourth was in effect, abolished by an ignorant, superstitious, and tyrannical priesthood.

14. Because it was only through the superstitions observance of the anniversaries of saints and martyrs, and a multitude of other fasts and feasts, with which the simplicity of revealed -religion was encumbered and overwhelmed, that the sabbatic observance of the Seventh Day went out of use ; and not (in fact) by any real or pretended command of Christ or His Apostles, nor at first by the express authority of any Pope or Council ; for it was kept as a strict fast, for ages after it lost every other token of a holy day.

15. Because the leaders of the Reformation never claimed for the First Day the name of the Sabbath, and never enforced the observance of that day by any other authority than that of the Church.

16. Because it is obviously absurd—(and it is an objection often made by irreligious people)— that the observance of the First Day of the Week as the Sabbath, should be grounded on a divine precept which commands the observance, not of the first, but of the Seventh Day.

17. Because, if the fundamental principle of Protestantism be right and true, that " the Bible alone is the religion of Protestants," then the Seventh Day must be the true and only Sabbath of Protestants ; for, unless that day of the week be kept, they have no scriptural Sabbath at all.

18. Because the pertinacious observance of the First Day of the Week, in the stead of the Seventh, has actually given occasion of great scandal to the Protestant faith ; it has caused the Papists to declare that Protestants admit the authority of human tradition in matters of religion ; and it has led to intolerance and persecution.

19. Because the observance of the First Day, and neglect of the Seventh, having been adopted partly in contempt of the Jews, has always laid a burden upon them, and presented an obstacle to their receiving Christianity, which ought to be removed.

20. Because the observance of the Seventh Day obeys God, honors the Protestant Principle, rebukes Papacy, removes stumbling-blocks, and secures for us the presence and blessing of "the Lord of the Sabbath."

Dear Brethren and Sisters— The Lord has shown me that it is my duty to relate to you, what he has revealed to me relating to the present truth, our present tried, scattered and tempted state, and our duty in view of the coming judgments of God.

Sabbath, March 24th, 1849, we had a sweet, and very interesting meeting with the Brethren at Topsham, Me. The Holy Ghost was poured out upon us, and I was taken off in the Spirit to the City of the living God. There I was shown that the commandments of God, and the testimony of Jesus Christ, relating to the shut door, could not be separated, and that the time for the commandments of God to shine out, with all their importance, and for God's people to be tried on the Sabbath truth, was when the door was opened in the Most Holy Place of the Heavenly Sanctuary, where the Ark is, containing the ten commandments. This door was not opened, until the mediation of Jesus was finished in the Holy Place of the Sanctuary in 1844.

Then, Jesus rose up, and shut the door in the Holy Place, and opened the door in the Most Holy, and passed within the second vail, where he now stands by the Ark ; and where the faith of Israel now reaches. I saw that Jesus had shut the door in the Holy Place, and no man can open it; and that he had opened the door in the Most Holy, and no man can shut it : (See Rev. 3 : 7, 8 :) and that since Jesus has opened the door in the Most Holy Place, which contains the Ark, the commandments have been shining out to God's people, and they are being tested on the Sabbath question. I saw that the present test on the Sabbath could not come, until the mediation of Jesus in the Holy Place was finished ; and he had passed within the second vail ; therefore, Christians, who fell asleep before the door was opened in the Most Holy, when the midnight cry was finished, at the seventh month 1844 ; and had not kept the true Sabbath, now rest in hope; for they had not the light, and the test on the Sabbath, which we now have, since that door was opened.

I saw that Satan was tempting some of God's people on this point. Be, cause so many good Christians have fallen asleep in the triumphs of faith, and have not kept the true Sabbath, they were doubting about it being a test for us now. I saw that the enemies of the present truth have been trying to open the door of the Holy Place, that Jesus has shut; and to close the door of the Most Holy Place, which he opened in 1844, where the Ark is containing the two tables of stone, on which are written the ten commandments, by the finger of Jehovah.

Satan is now using every device in' this sealing time, to keep the minds of God's people from the present, sealing truth ; and to cause them to waver. I saw a covering that God was drawing over his people, to protect them in the time of trouble ; and every soul that was decided on the truth, and was pure in heart, was to be covered with the covering of Almighty God. Satan knew this, and was at work in mighty power, to keep the minds of as many as he possibly could unsettled, and wavering on the truth. I saw that the mysterious knocking in N. Y. and other places, was the power of Satan ; and that such things would be more and more common, clothed in a religious garb, to lull the deceived to more security ; and to draw the minds of God's people, if possible, to those things and cause them to doubt the teachings, and power of the Holy Ghost.

I saw that Satan was working through agents, in a number of ways. He was at work through ministers, who have rejected the truth, and are given over to strong delusions to believe a lie that they might be damned. While they were preaching, or praying some would fall prostrate and helpless; not by the power of the Holy Ghost, no, no; but by the power of Satan breathed upon these agents and through them to the people. Some professed Adventists who had rejected the present truth, while preaching praying or in conversation used Mesmerism to gain adherents, and the people would rejoice in this influence, for they thought it was the Holy Ghost. And even some that used it, were so far in the darkness and deception of -the Devil, that they thought it was the power of God, given them to exercise. They had made God altogether such an one as themselves; and had valued his power as a thing of naught.

Some of these agents of Satan were affecting the bodies of some of the saints; those that they could not deceive and draw away from the truth by a satanic influence. Oh! that all could get a view of it as God revealed it to me, that they might know more of the wiles of Satan, and be on their guard. I saw that Satan was at work in these ways to distract, deceive, and draw away God's people, just now in this sealing time. I saw some who were not standing stiffly for present truth. Their knees were trembling, and their feet were sliding ; because they were not firmly planted on the truth, and the covering of Almighty God could not be drawn over them while they were thus trembling. Satan was trying his every -art to hold them where they were, until the sealing was past, and the covering drawn over God's people, and they left out, without a shelter from the burning wrath of God, 3 -the seven last plagues.

God has begun to draw this covering -over his people, and it will very soon be drawn over all who are to have a shelter in the day of slaughter. God will work in power for his people; and Satan will be permitted to work also.

I saw that the mysterious signs and wonders, and false reformations would increase, and spread. The reformations that were shown me, were not reformations from error to, truth; but from bad to worse; for those who professed a change of heart, had only wrapped about them a religious garb, which covered up the iniquity of a wicked heart. Some appeared to have been really converted, so as to deceive God's people but if their hearts could be seen, they would appear as black as ever.

My accompanying angel bade me look for the travel of soul for sinners as used to be. I looked, but could not see it; for the time for their salvation is past.

TO BE CONTINUED….

*******

Taken from-

THE PRESENT TRUTH, 

PUBLISHED SEMI-MONTHLY—BY JAMES WHITE.

Vol. 1.  MIDDLETOWN, CONN. AUGUST, 1849.  No.3

*******

We are now studying - 'The Present Truth' papers published in the middle 1800's. These are called the 'Present Truth' because it WAS Present Truth for that time. So why study them now? Because TRUTH at any time is worth studying, and we KNOW that often ORIGINAL truth presented before Satan has had an opportunity to corrupt it, can be very enlightening. At the very least we will see, by the grace of God, through the Holy Spirit, what truth then is still uncorrupted today and still very relevant for us living in these dark, dark times. Our world today compared to a hundred and seventy years ago is so much worse than it was, with so much evil being called good, and good being called evil.  May God bless us as we seek HIS truth for us in our present, bringing us only closer to Him and prayerfully the Second Coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

You Will Not Be Guiltless By Allowing Deception.

Continued …

The New Testament, those who wish to violate it for some worldly object, pride, or the fear of man, will not be guiltless.

 God will not be trifled with. His word will not return unto him void. Jehovah said of Jesus : " This is my beloved Son : hear him." Mark 9 : 7. If all would hear Jesus, and teach as he taught, they would not make such work with the law of God as they now do. Here we will listen, and learn of the meek and lowly Jesus.

"Think not that I am come to destroy the law." What law ? Ans. " Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least COMMANDMENTS," etc. See Matt. 5. 17-19. Jesus then quotes the sixth, seventh, and third commandments from the decalogue, in the 21st, 27th, and 33d verses of this same chapter, which forever settles the fact that the law, not to be destroyed at his first advent, was the ten commandments.

To abolish a law is to destroy it. We know that Jesus did destroy, or abolish the hand-writing of ordinances in Moses' law; but we have this plain, and positive declaration that he did not come to destroy the law of commandments, at his first advent. This is worth more to me, than all the assertions of men to the contrary. I am bound to " hear," and believe Jesus. " For verily I say unto you, 'TILL HEAVEN AND EARTH PASS, ONE JOT OR ONE TITTLE shall in NO WISE pass from the law."

If the Sabbath was relaxed, and passed from the law at the first advent, then certainly, heaven and earth then passed away ! Such a view, no doubt would suit spiritualists ; but not those who are still waiting for Christ to come, and make all things new. Jesus has here forever settled the question to the satisfaction of all candid minds, that will carefully investigate this subject, that the ten commandments are all to remain in full force, not one changed, or relaxed, until heaven and earth pass away at the close of time.

Those that understandingly reject the Sabbath, with such testimony as this from Jesus, -whom they are commanded, to,  " hear," before them, would not be ready to love, and observe God's sanctified day, if the Almighty should speak from heaven, and tell them to keep it, and shake the old earth as he did Mount Sinai.

" For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one, [point here is a supplied word,] he is guilty of all. " For he that said, do not commit adultery, said also, do not kill." James 2 : 10, 11. James here quotes two laws from the decalogue, which proves that he was speaking of the law of commandments.

The ten commandments are principles of goodness, justice, and holiness. Their essence is love. The first four, teach us love to God, and the last six, love to our neighbor; "therefore love is the fulfilling of the law." Rom. 13 :10. "For this is the love of God that ye keep his commandments:" 1 John 5: 3. "If ye fulfill the royal law according to the Scriptures, (the decalogue, Ex.20 : 3-17,) Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself." James 2 : 8

The Apostle James has enforced the Sabbath, and guarded the waiting brethren scattered abroad, against the view that we are at liberty to take the Sabbath from the royal law, by showing us that if we offend in one commandment we are guilty of all. The language is positive and plain, and all may see the truth if they wish to. "

Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you; but an old commandment which ye had from the BEGINNING: The OLD commandment is the WORD WHICH YE HAVE HEARD FROM THE BEGINNING." 1 John 2 : 7.

The only commandment which came from the beginning is the Sabbath. The word from the beginning is this ; " And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made." Gen. 2 : 3. " Again, a new commandment I write unto you," etc. See verse 8th. Here John makes the distinction between the old commandment from the beginning, which is the Sabbath, and the new commandment, given by Jesus to the Church, to love one another. "I rejoiced greatly, that I found of thy children walking in truth as we have received a commandment from the Father." 2 John 1:4. This commandment from the Father, which we had from the beginning, must of necessity be the Sabbath, for the reason that none of the Father's commandments except the Sabbath were given at the beginning. "He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a LIAR, and the truth is not in him." 1 .John 2:

As the commandments of God mean the ten, which he wrote with his own finger on stones, and nothing more, nor less than the ten ; and as Christ positively declared that not one jot or one tittle, should pass from this law of commandments while heaven and earth remain : and as the Apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ have taught and enforced the commandments of the Eternal Jehovah, and have not written one text, no, not one word, in all their epistles from which we can reasonably infer that the Sabbath law is relaxed and destroyed, we are abundantly furnished with proof positive, that the Sabbath is taught and enforced in the New Testament. If the Sabbath-breaker should be asked in the judgment, what excuse he had to make for breaking the Sabbath, he would not dare, while standing before- the great white throne, to say that he broke it because the fourth commandment was not separately enforced in the New Testament. Such an excuse may ease the conscience now, for a few days ; but the time is not far distant, when those who are teaching men that they may break the fourth commandment, and be guiltless, will see and feel the force of this tremendous truth, that Christ and his holy Apostles when enforcing, and making the strict observance of the commandments, a test of Christian fellowship, and Eternal Salvation, mean the COMMANDMENTS OF GOD, and not NINE of them.

To be continued….

*******

Taken from-

THE PRESENT TRUTH, 

PUBLISHED SEMI-MONTHLY—BY JAMES WHITE.

Vol. 1.  MIDDLETOWN, CONN. AUGUST, 1849.  No.3

*******

We are now studying - 'The Present Truth' papers published in the middle 1800's. These are called the 'Present Truth' because it WAS Present Truth for that time. So why study them now? Because TRUTH at any time is worth studying, and we KNOW that often ORIGINAL truth presented before Satan has had an opportunity to corrupt it, can be very enlightening. At the very least we will see, by the grace of God, through the Holy Spirit, what truth then is still uncorrupted today and still very relevant for us living in these dark, dark times. Our world today compared to a hundred and seventy years ago is so much worse than it was, with so much evil being called good, and good being called evil.  May God bless us as we seek HIS truth for us in our present, bringing us only closer to Him and prayerfully the Second Coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!