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his innocence in holy Eden； by Adam； fallen yet repentant； when he was
driven from his happy estate。 It was kept by all the patriarchs； from Abel
to righteous Noah； to Abraham； to Jacob。 When the chosen people were in
bondage in Egypt； many； in the midst of prevailing idolatry； lost their
knowledge of God's law； but when the Lord delivered Israel； He proclaimed
His law in awful grandeur to the assembled multitude； that they might know
His will and fear and obey Him forever。
From that day to the present the knowledge of God's law has been preserved
in the earth； and the Sabbath of the fourth commandment has been kept。
Though the 〃man of sin〃 succeeded in trampling underfoot God's holy day； yet
even in the period of his supremacy there were； hidden in secret places；
faithful souls who paid it honor。 Since the Reformation； there have been
some in every generation to maintain its observance。 Though often in the
midst of reproach and persecution； a constant testimony has been borne to
the perpetuity of the law of God and the sacred obligation of the creation
Sabbath。
These truths； as presented in Revelation 14 in connection with 〃the
everlasting gospel；〃 will distinguish the church of Christ at the time of
His appearing。 For as the result of the
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threefold message it is announced： 〃Here are they that keep the commandments
of God； and the faith of Jesus。〃 And this message is the last to be given
before the coming of the Lord。 Immediately following its proclamation the
Son of man is seen by the prophet； coming in glory to reap the harvest of
the earth。
Those who received the light concerning the sanctuary and the immutability
of the law of God were filled with joy and wonder as they saw the beauty and
harmony of the system of truth that opened to their understanding。 They
desired that the light which appeared to them so precious might be imparted
to all Christians； and they could not but believe that it would be joyfully
accepted。 But truths that would place them at variance with the world were
not welcome to many who claimed to be followers of Christ。 Obedience to the
fourth commandment required a sacrifice from which the majority drew back。
As the claims of the Sabbath were presented； many reasoned from the
worldling's standpoint。 Said they： 〃We have always kept Sunday； our fathers
kept it； and many good and pious men have died happy while keeping it。 If
they were right； so are we。 The keeping of this new Sabbath would throw us
out of harmony with the world； and we would have no influence over them。
What can a little company keeping the seventh day hope to accomplish against
all the world who are keeping Sunday？〃 It was by similar arguments that the
Jews endeavored to justify their rejection of Christ。 Their fathers had been
accepted of God in presenting the sacrificial offerings； and why could not
the children find salvation in pursuing the same course？ So； in the time of
Luther； papists reasoned that true Christians had died in the Catholic
faith； and therefore that religion was sufficient for salvation。 Such
reasoning would prove an effectual barrier to all advancement in religious
faith or practice。
Many urged that Sundaykeeping had been an established doctrine and a
widespread custom of the church for many
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centuries。 Against this argument it was shown that the Sabbath and its
observance were more ancient and widespread； even as old as the world
itself； and bearing the sanction both of angels and of God。 When the
foundations of the earth were laid； when the morning stars sang together；
and all the sons of God shouted for joy； then was laid the foundation of the
Sabbath。 Job 38：6； 7； Genesis 2：1…3。 Well may this institution demand our
reverence； it was ordained by no human authority and rests upon no human
traditions； it was established by the Ancient of Days and commanded by His
eternal word。
As the attention of the people was called to the subject of Sabbath reform；
popular ministers perverted the word of God； placing such interpretations
upon its testimony as would best quiet inquiring minds。 And those who did
not search the Scriptures for themselves were content to accept conclusions
that were in accordance with their desires。 By argument； sophistry； the
traditions of the Fathers； and the authority of the church； many endeavored
to overthrow the truth。 Its advocates were driven to their Bibles to defend
the validity of the fourth commandment。 Humble men； armed with the word of
truth alone； withstood the attacks of men of learning； who； with surprise
and anger； found their eloquent sophistry powerless against the simple；
straightforward reasoning of men who were versed in the Scriptures rather
than in the subtleties of the schools。
In the absence of Bible testimony in their favor； many with unwearying
persistence urgedforgetting how the same reasoning had been employed
against Christ and His apostles： 〃Why do not our great men understand this
Sabbath question？ But few believe as you do。 It cannot be that you are right
and that all the men of learning in the world are wrong。〃
To refute such arguments it was needful only to cite the teachings of the
Scriptures and the history of the Lord's dealings with His people in all
ages。 God works through
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those who hear and obey His voice； those who will； if need be； speak
unpalatable truths； those who do not fear to reprove popular sins。 The
reason why He does not oftener choose men of learning and high position to
lead out in reform movements is that they trust to their creeds； theories；
and theological systems； and feel no need to be taught of God。 Only those
who have a personal connection with the Source of wisdom are able to
understand or explain the Scriptures。 Men who have little of the learning of
the schools are sometimes called to declare the truth； not because they are
unlearned； but because they are not too self…sufficient to be taught of God。
They learn in the school of Christ； and their humility and obedience make
them great。 In committing to them a knowledge of His truth； God confers upon
them an honor； in comparison with which earthly honor and human greatness
sink into insignificance。
The majority of Adventists rejected the truths concerning the sanctuary and
the law of God； and many also renounced their faith in the advent movement
and adopted unsound and conflicting views of the prophecies which applied to
that work。 Some were led into the error of repeatedly fixing upon a definite
time for the coming of Christ。 The light which was now shining on the
subject of the sanctuary should have shown them that no prophetic period
extends to the second advent； that the exact time of this advent is not
foretold。 But； turning from the light； they continued to set time after time
for the Lord to come； and as often they were disappointed。
When the Thessalonian church received erroneous views concerning the coming
of Christ； the apostle Paul counseled them to test their hopes and
anticipations carefully by the word of God。 He cited them to prophecies
revealing the events to take place before Christ should come； and showed
that they had no ground to expect Him in their day。 〃Let no man deceive you
by any means〃 （2 Thessalonians 2：3）； are his words of warning。 Should they
indulge expectations that were not sanctioned by the Scriptures； they would
be led to
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a mistaken course of action； disappointment would expose them to the
derision of unbelievers； and they would be in danger of yielding to
discouragement and would be tempted to doubt the truths essential for their
salvation。 The apostle's admonition to the Thessalonians contains an
important lesson for those who live in the last days。 Many Adventists have
felt that unless they could fix their faith upon a definite time for the
Lord's coming； they could not be zealous and diligent in the work of
preparation。 But as their hopes are again and again excited； only to be
destroyed； their faith receives such a shock that it becomes well…nigh
im