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 Sunday-keeping had been an established doctrine and a
wide-spread custom of the church for many 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.(767) 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