Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 25 (1910 - 1915)

Lt 94, 1910

Duce, William

St. Helena, California

July 12, 1910

Portions of this letter are published in 8MR 21-22; 6Bio 264.

Elder Wm. Duce

Dear Brother Duce:

I wish to write words that shall remove from the minds of any of my brethren the impression that I did not, before their publication, read the pages in Testimony for the Church, Vol. 9, relating to Sunday labor. 25LtMs, Lt 94, 1910, par. 1

I read this matter before it went to the printer, and have read it several times from the book, and I can see nothing in it to give one reason to say that Sunday-keeping is there taught. Neither does the counsel there given contradict the Bible, nor former testimonies. 25LtMs, Lt 94, 1910, par. 2

I have given not one word to sustain Sunday-keeping. In my writings will be found the most positive statements concerning the Lord’s requirements to observe the holy Sabbath, because that on the seventh day Jehovah rested. He sanctified that day, and set it apart, and gave it to man to be observed most sacredly. 25LtMs, Lt 94, 1910, par. 3

In my public labors I have spoken before large audiences in Europe and in Australasia, and in all parts of the United States. In these discourses, which have been faithfully reported, will be found most positive testimony against Sunday observance and earnest appeals for Sabbath observance. My discourses are reported, and what I write by hand is copied out by faithful helpers. Before any of this matter is printed, it is read over and closely examined by me. 25LtMs, Lt 94, 1910, par. 4

I have reason to praise the Lord for His great goodness and merciful kindness to me. My health is good for one of my age, and I am able to do much work. Although I am in my eighty-third year, the Lord remarkably sustains me. At times, I become weary; but when I stand upon my feet before a congregation, I am strengthened by the Spirit of God. I am so thankful that the Lord continues to give me a clear understanding of the truth; and so long as He gives me strength, I shall continue by pen and voice to call the attention of our people to the serious importance of the times in which we live. 25LtMs, Lt 94, 1910, par. 5

I will repeat to you what I wrote to one of the pioneers in our cause: 25LtMs, Lt 94, 1910, par. 6

I have lost none of my faith in the message. After the passing of the time in 1844, we were a disappointed people, few in numbers. We sought the Lord most earnestly and read and re-read His commandments. We saw wherein we had been working and walking contrary to them, and then we thanked the Lord for our disappointment. The fourteenth chapter of Revelation was studied, and we discerned the meaning of the words, “Here is the patience of the saints; here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” [Verse 12.] Light was given us on the claims of the law of God. We were convicted that the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord, and we began to observe it as holy unto Him. 25LtMs, Lt 94, 1910, par. 7

The light given in the Word of God regarding the Sabbath is too plain to be misunderstood. God declares: “Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work; but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God; in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates; 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.” [Exodus 20:8-11.] 25LtMs, Lt 94, 1910, par. 8

And again He says, “Verily My Sabbaths ye shall keep; for it is a sign between Me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am the Lord that doth sanctify you. ... The children of Israel shall keep the Sabbath, to observe the Sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant. It is a sign between Me and the children of Israel forever.” [Exodus 31:13-17.] 25LtMs, Lt 94, 1910, par. 9

The world has accepted a false rest day and has dishonored the Creator of heaven and earth. The false is reverenced in the place of the true. God’s Sabbath is trampled under the feet of man. What excuse can those who do this give for placing the first day of the week where the seventh should be, and for making laws compelling its observance? God’s condemnation will rest upon all who have thus disregarded His commands. 25LtMs, Lt 94, 1910, par. 10

Seventh-day Adventists need to search the Scriptures, that they may know the reasons of their faith. Christ says, “Search the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life; and they are they which testify of Me.” [John 5:39.] We are living in the close of this earth’s history. Let no one say in his heart, “My Lord delayeth His coming.” [Matthew 24:48.] Prophecy is fulfilling. Soon Christ will come with power and great glory. We have no time to lose. Let the message sound forth in earnest words of warning. 25LtMs, Lt 94, 1910, par. 11

We must persuade men everywhere to repent and flee from the wrath to come. They have souls to save or to lose. Let there be no indifference in this matter. The Lord calls for workers who are filled with an earnest, decided purpose. Tell the people to be instant in season and out of season. With the words of life upon your lips, go forth to tell men and women that the end of all things is at hand. 25LtMs, Lt 94, 1910, par. 12

Let us keep our souls in the love of God. The note of warning must be given. The truth must not languish upon our lips. We must rouse people to immediate preparation; for we little know what is before us. My faith is as strong as ever that we are living in the last remnant of time. Let every teacher present an open door before all who will come to Jesus, repenting of their sins. We are not only to watch; we are to pray and work and wait. 25LtMs, Lt 94, 1910, par. 13