The Visions of Mrs. E.G. White

OBJECTION 32. — TIME TO COMMENCE THE SABBATH

Here the objector finds another contradiction in the visions, by asserting that they once taught that the Sabbath should commence at six o’clock p.m.; and that the time was subsequently changed by vision to sunset. This we meet with an unqualified denial. The visions never taught that the Sabbath should commence at six o’clock; and the article setting forth the reasons for sunset time, published in the Review, Vol 7, No.10, antedates the vision which the objector claims was given to change the time. The following statement from one who has been connected with this cause from the very commencement, and who is therefore qualified to speak, sets forth the truth on this point. We give it for the benefit of those who may be interested to know the facts in the case, copying from Review, Vol.41, No.11: VEGW 88.1

“It is generally known to most of the readers of the REVIEW, that for several years in the early history of Seventh-day Adventists, believers adopted six o’clock p.m. as the time for the Sabbath to commence and close. It is also known that in the autumn of 1855, the Review taught that sunset was the Bible time to commence the Sabbath, and that our people generally changed from six o’clock to sunset. Some of the circumstances connected with this change I wish here to state: VEGW 88.2

“1. The six o’clock time was called in question by a portion of the believers as early as 1847, some maintaining that the Sabbath commenced as sunrise, while others claimed Bible evidence in favor of sunset. VEGW 88.3

“2. Elder J.B., who was the first to teach the Sabbath in its importance, and faithfully labor to bring out a people from among the Adventists to observe it, was very decided upon the question, and respect for his years, and his godly life, might have been among the reasons why this point was not sooner investigated as thoroughly as some other points. VEGW 89.1

“3. In the autumn of 1855, Elder J.N.A. called on me at Battle Creek, on his way to Iowa, and set before me the scriptural reasons for commencing the Sabbath at sunset. He had written a clear article upon the subject, which he left with me, and which appeared in the Review for December 4, 1855. This article, however, before it appeared in the Review was read at the Conference at Battle Creek about that time, and the subject was discussed, resulting in settling the minds of the brethren on the sunset-time, with the exception of Bro. B. and a few others. Since that time there has been general agreement among us upon the subject. VEGW 89.2

“But there are persons who seek to injure us as a people — and this class we hope to help by this article — who report and publish to the world that Mrs. White did profess to be shown that the time to commence the Sabbath was six o’clock, and that at a later period she was shown that sunset was the true time. It is also stated that in vision she saw the dial-plate of a clock with one hand pointing to the 6, and other to 12, showing that six o’clock was the commencement and close of the Sabbath. VEGW 89.3

“A simple statement of the facts in the case are sufficient to show these reports false. Hence we give the following statements, which we are ready to prove by most competent witnesses: VEGW 89.4

“1. Mrs. White has in two visions been shown something in regard to the time of the commencement of the Sabbath. The first was as early as 1847, at Topsham, Me. In the vision she was shown that to commence the Sabbath at sunrise was wrong. She then heard an angel repeat these words, “From even unto even shall ye celebrate your Sabbaths.” Bro B. was present and succeeded in satisfying all present that “even” was six o’clock. Mark this: The vision at Topsham did not teach the six o’clock time. It only corrected sunrise time. I never received the idea that the six o’clock time was sustained by the visions, hence the following which I copy from a statement I made in the Review upon the subject, December 4, 1855, as follows: VEGW 90.1

“We have never been fully satisfied with the testimony presented in favor of six o’clock, while the various communications received for a few years past advocating both sunrise and sunset time, have been almost destitute of argument, and the spirit of humility and candor. The subject has troubled us, yet we have never found time to thoroughly investigate it. VEGW 90.2

“In June, 1854, we urged Elder D.P.H. to prepare an article on the subject for the Review. When with him in Pennsylvania, last winter, we8repeated the request. When in Maine, last summer, we stated our feelings on this subject to Bro. A., and our fears of division unless the question could be settled by good testimony. He decided to devote his time to the subject till he ascertained what the Bible taught in regard to it, and his article in this number is the result of his investigation. Some have the impression that six o’clock time has been taught among us by the direct manifestation of the Holy Spirit. This is a mistake; VEGW 90.3

‘From even unto even’ was the teaching from which six o’clock time has been inferred.’ “ VEGW 91.1

“2. In regard to the clock-face, twenty competent witnesses are ready to testify that neither Mrs. W. nor her visions had anything to do with it whatever.” VEGW 91.2

“3. We were present at the Conference referred to above, and also when the vision was given after the close of that Conference, and heard Sr. W. soon after coming out of vision, relate what she had seen. We are therefore prepared to testify that sunset-time was not once mentioned in the vision; but the words given to her in the previous vision were repeated, namely, “From even to even shall ye celebrate your Sabbath;” and these words were now added: “Take the word of God, read it, understand, and ye cannot err. Read carefully, and ye shall there find what even is and when it is.” In the first vision we were directed to the word of God by the words “From even to even;” but on astronomical grounds, it was then decided that even was six o’clock. In the second, exactly the same words were used, and we were more especially directed to the word of God, which when examined conclusively establishes sunset time. This settled the matter with Bro. B. and a few others, and general harmony has since prevailed on the question. VEGW 91.3

“But the question naturally arises, If the visions are given to correct the erring, why did she not sooner see the error of the six o’clock time? It does not appear to be the design of the Lord to teach his people by the gifts of the Spirit on Bible questions until his servants have diligently searched his word. When this was done upon the subject of time to commence the Sabbath, and most were established, and some were in danger of being out of harmony with the body on this subject, then, yes, then, was the very time for God to magnify his goodness in the manifestation of the gift of his Spirit in the accomplishment of its proper work. The sacred Scriptures are given us as the rule of faith and duty, and we are commanded to search them. If we fail to understand and fully obey the truths in consequences of not searching the Scriptures as we should, or a want of consecration and spiritual discernment, and God in mercy in his own time corrects us by some manifestation of the gifts of his Holy Spirit, instead of murmuring that he did not do it before, let us humbly acknowledge his mercy, and praise him for his infinite goodness in condescending to correct us at all. Let the gifts have their proper place in the church. God has never set them in the very front, and commanded us to look to them to lead us in the path of truth, and the way to Heaven. His word he has magnified. The Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are man’s lamp to light up his path to the kingdom. Follow that. But if you err from Bible truth, and are in danger of being lost, it may be that God will in time of his choice correct you, and bring you back to the Bible and save you. And would it become you in such a case to murmur and say, ‘Lord, why didst thou not do this before?’ Take care! ‘Be still, and know that I am God.’ Our necessity is his opportunity to teach us by the gifts of the Holy Spirit.” VEGW 91.4

We stated that the article setting forth the reasons for sunset time, which is the one referred to in the foregoing extract from the Review, antedates the vision which the objector claims was given to change the time. To this the objector replies: “When was the vision given to change the time for commencing the Sabbath? Answer, November 20, 1885. Test. No. 1, page 7. When was the ‘article setting forth the reasons for sunset time’ published? Answer, December 4, 1855. U. Smith says ‘the article antedates the vision;’ but we find that the article was not published till about two weeks after the vision was given.” Let a few facts answer: It was in the autumn of 1855 that the Office was moved from Rochester, N. Y., to Battle Creek, Mich. The last paper published in Rochester was dated October 30, 1855. The first one published in Battle Creek was dated December 4, 1855. It was during this interval that the question of sunset time was discussed by S. D. Adventists as a body. The writer of the above-mentioned article commenced his work upon it in August preceding. His concluding note, as may be seen in REVIEW of December 4, 1855, was dated Battle Creek, November 12, 1855. The Conference was held November 16, 1855. At this Conference the article was discussed and endorsed, with a few exceptions, as setting forth the correct view. After the Conference, November 20, the vision was given, establishing those undecided, on the sunset time. The next paper published was December 4, 1855; hence the article could not appear before that time. The trouble with the objector here is, that he can see no difference between the date when an article is written, and the date when it is published; or else he endeavors willfully to deceive and mislead the reader. VEGW 92.1