The Prophetic Faith of Our Fathers, vol. 4

III. Rachel Oakes Preston-Brings Sabbath to Washington Group

Mrs. RACHEL OAKES, nee Harris (1809-1868)-later married to Nathan Preston-was born in Vernon, Vermont. She was baptized at seventeen, joining the Methodist Church. In 1837 she became interested in the seventh-day Sabbath and purposed to join the Seventh Day Baptists. But on such a move she was opposed by her Methodist pastor, who finally told her she might keep her seventh-day Sabbath if she must, but urged her not to leave their ranks. Nevertheless, she joined the Seventh Day Baptist church of Verona, Oneida County, New York. Later, taking a supply of Seventh Day Baptist literature with her, she moved to Washington, New Hampshire, to be near her daughter, Delight, the schoolteacher. PFF4 948.2

Mrs. Oakes sought to introduce the Sabbath to the ardent company of Adventists who lived there. But they were so engrossed in preparation for the coming of the Lord that they paid little attention to her Seventh Day Baptist literature. However, as noted, Methodist preacher Frederick Wheeler, in the spring of 1844, became persuaded concerning the Sabbath, and Baptist minister Thomas M. Preble began its personal observance in August. Neither, however, pressed its claims publicly. Mrs. Oakes hoped, after the October 22 Disappointment, that the entire Adventist company would at least read her literature. Yet even then, for a time, they were not Interested. This lack of concern grieved her. But she, on the other hand, did not believe that God would translate a Sabbathbreaking host of Adventists. And she, in turn, paid little attention as yet to their teachings on the prophecies and second advent. PFF4 948.3

Finally, during a Sunday service in the Washington church, after the Disappointment-but before the close of the year 1844-William Farnsworth arose during the meeting and stated publicly that he had been studying the Bible and was convinced that the seventh day of the week was the Sabbath, and had decided to keep it. He was immediately followed by his brother Cyrus and several others. And Mrs. Oakes, in turn, soon embraced the Adventist teachings. Thus it was that the first little Sabbatarian Adventist group in the world came into being. ¹³ Incidentally, about this time Mrs. Oakes requested the Seventh Day Baptist church at Verona to drop her name from their church book. But this they declined to do, saying that she had done nothing for which they should take it off, as she still observed the Sabbath. She was therefore evidently continued as a member of both groups. PFF4 949.1

And that this little Washington group began the observance of the Sabbath after, not before, the Disappointment of October 22, 1844, is further attested by Stephen N. Haskell, who preached Mrs. Preston’s funeral sermon, and by the express statement of the obituary itself, which says, “In 1844, after the passing of the time she introduced the Sabbath among the Adventists.” And this is borne out by the later obituary of Cyrus Farnsworth, which says he began “observing the Sabbath soon after the passing of the time in 1844.” ¹⁴” These terms were used only of the October Disappointment. PFF4 949.2

Picture 2: WILLIAM FARNSWORTH PLEDGES OBSERVANCE OF THE SABBATH
In the Washington, new Hampshire, meetinghouse, william Farnsworth solemnly makes known his decision to keep the Sabbath at his side his brother Cyrus is about ready to make the great decision, and others follow, while in front Pew Rachel Oakes (preston) watches the scene with deep emotion. Significant developments followed
Page 949