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 urged,--forgetting 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 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 would have shown them that no
prophetic period extends to the second advent; that the exact time of this